Real Wedding Spotlight: Melissa and Mikey’s Red & Black Ritz-Carlton Celebration
I can’t think back on Melissa and Mikey’s wedding without grinning ear to ear. They were both just brimming with excitement to become husband and wife, and reveled in every single detail of their big day. You can read Melissa’s account of her big day here. We had been planning their Labor Day celebration at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay for over a year, and decided to incorporate a bold color palette of red, black and silver. Here are some of my favorite moments of their weekend:
Melissa and Mikey even made their rehearsal a party, dressing up to begin the festivities early. The day before the wedding was also Mikey’s birthday, so at the rehearsal lunch, Melissa surprised him with a birthday cake from Just Cake to be an exact replica of the cruise ship they met on!
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- Mikey & Melissa practice for their big day!
Melissa offers a high five to her future groom.
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- Love the footwear Melissa & Mikey donned for the rehearsal!
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- Ring Bearer playing around before the rehearsal starts
The ring bearers practice charging down the aisle. Yup, they pretty much ran at this speed the next day too.
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- "Carnival Pride" - the ship the bride and groom met on replicated in sugar and fondant. Mikey was floored when we brought this out for dessert!
We started the day by creating a beauty lounge for the ladies with the bride's favorite breakfast foods, her soundtrack playing and fave show, "Say Yes to the Dress" playing on the big screen.
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- Personalized bridesmaid kits supplied by A Brides Best Friend Staff
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- Melissa's bridesmaids get comfy waiting for their turn in the "hair chair"
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- A bridesmaid gives an emotional embrace
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- Wedding morning champagne toast
It had been foggy and cold in Half Moon Bay the day before, but the sun came out for our ceremony. We had pashminas with custom labels for the ladies, just in case, and paper cones with white rose petals for guests to sprinkle as the happy couple recessed down the aisle. Love the kiss!
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- Pashminas with custom labels awaited the guests at the sea side ceremony
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- Guest were supplied with paper cones filled with white roses petals to shower the couple with during the recessional
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- A ring bearer "helps" us decorate just before the ceremony
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- Tall arrangements of roses, orchids and hydrangeas with delicate hanging crystals mark the walk down the aisle
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- I get to pin mIkey as he anxiously awaits seeing Melissa for the first time
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- Gentlemen's entrance
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- Mikey gets his first glimpse of Melissa
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- A showstopper kiss!
Some of my favorite details of the day...
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- Melissa's beautiful gown
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- Melissa's bouquet was constructed of garden roses, phalenopsis orchids, delicate lily of the valley and accented with white feathers
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- Melissa's sparkly midnight Christian Louboutins
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- A snapshot of the wedding invitation
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- Melissa smiles for the camera
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- The bridesmaids off the shoulder LBD's ruffle detail on the back
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- Chocolate Martinis in the wedding colors were presented to kick off the cocktail hour
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- Non-alcoholic strawberry lemonade passed at the cocktail hour
For the reception, we incorporated loads of crystals and candlelight into the décor, including an uplit ice luge at the bar.
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- Welcome to the party!
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- Head table decor
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- White roses tied with black ribbon were placed on each setting
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- Escort cards secured with miniature black clothespins and displayed with crystal accents
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- An M & M monogrammed gobo shines on a white dance floor flanked with leather ottomans
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- Even the intermezzo is lit from within!
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- An uplit ice luge anchors the bar
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- Tall, dramatic centerpieces were from above
We ended the night with a candy bar (complete with toothbrushes and a reminder from Dr. Melissa, who is a dentist along with her father and sister.) The terrace is all set for our tres fab late night S’mores and cigar party.
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- Custom take away bags sported the couple's monogram and colors
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- Guests were treated to a lavish display of the couple's favorite childhood treats
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- The bride, a dentist, made sure to send guests home with a reminder to bruch & floss after eating sweets!
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- Elisheva and staff setting up the cocktail hour patio
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- Red pillows made the terrace more inviting
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- A sweet spot to take a break from dancing!
Wishing you a lifetime of health and happiness!
XO,
Elle
Photography: Geoff White Photography
Floral Designer: Amy Burke Designs
Lighting & Dancing: Enhanced Lighting & Sound
Hair & Make Up: Bloom Bridal Boutique
Video: Justin Fone Productions
DJ: Ron Grandia, A Different Kind of DJ
Reception: Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
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