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Amanda and Jordan Wedding Ceremony with Bridesmaids in Pink and Groomsmen in Grey Suits with a view of the blue ocean and green hedges behind them

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Real Wedding Feature: Amanda + Jordan

Saturday, April 20th, 2024

On a gorgeous spring day spent at their historic wedding venue, La Venta Inn, Amanda and Jordan’s elegant and sophisticated fairytale wedding came to a full bloom when they celebrated becoming husband and wife surrounded by love. With every detail curated in deeper colorful shades and the best views you could want for an ocean wedding venue in Los Angeles, their day came out magically – as if straight out of a storybook.

Amanda’s Testimonial: “Everything was wonderful! We so appreciate all of your efforts to make our day special and will keep MBM in mind for future events!”

La Venta Historic building with greeneries and blue skies.
Oceanside overview with blue clouds and green hedges

Getting Ready at La Venta 

Both parties got ready at the venue in the morning, with Amanda starting her day in the Ocean Cottage surrounded by loved ones dressed pretty in pink. The room was filled with laughter and smiles, hyping up the bride in the precious moments getting ready for her big day. In the bride’s suite and ladies lounge, they enjoyed carefully curated pre-wedding food and beverages, including:

  • Champagne & Mimosas: Fresh, seasonal juices including orange and strawberry together with champagne allowed the bridal party to relax while getting ready and easing into the event.   
  • Coffee & Hot Tea Station: Regular and decaf brewed coffee and a variety of teas, with 2% milk and non-dairy milk
  • Fresh Seasonal Fruit Platter: Honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes.
  • Assorted Gourmet Mini Sandwiches on Brioche Buns:
    • Smoked Salmon with Dill Caper Cream Cheese and Shaved Red Onion and Arugula
    • House Roasted Turkey, Brie, Garlic & Walnut Aioli with Baby Arugula
    • Grilled Fresh Pears, Arugula, Viognier Whipped Goat Cheese & Balsamic Crème (Vegetarian)
White wedding dress on a hanger in the middle of the room. The room overlooks a greenery and has white walls.
Alcohol bottle inside a small ice bucket infront of a mirror. Bottle label states "Mumm"
Candid shot of a silver kitty heels with a bow on top of a marble round table.
Bridesmaids and bride getting ready in the suite chatting before the wedding. The room consists of a chandelier, blue chairs and a green plant.
Candid shot of the bride getting her hair done in her suite through the door.
Bride is reading a letter in the suite. With a bouquet and window in the background.
Reflection of the bride raising a glass in the mirror wearing a white bath robe.
Bride is getting ready while a bridesmaid is placing a necklace around her neck. The background behind her has a fire pit, brown mirror and chandelier.
Bride is getting hugged from behind by her mother. Bride is wearing a white dress while her mother wears a floral bathrobe.
Shades of pink dresses worn by the bridesmaids. One of them is wearing a white kitty heel with a bow.
The bride is walking out of the bridal suite posing while holding her dress. There is a blue door and floral background.
The bridesmaids are pouring drinks onto their wine glasses.
The mother of the bride places a veil on her hair as they get ready for the wedding. The bride is wearing a white dress along with her mom.
The bridesmaids are laughing while getting ready at the ladies suite. They are all wearing shades of pink dresses while one is wearing a jacket over her dress.

Meanwhile in the Hideaway Suite: Jordan began his special day with close friends & family. In preparation, they enjoyed a light lunch and lawn games such as cornhole to get the group pumped up, starting the day off with a bit of relaxing fun in the groom’s suite. 

  • Bucket of Beers on Ice: Modelo, Blue Moon, and Firestone Mind Haze Light IPA 
  • Harvest Dipping Platter: Heirloom Crudité and Crostini with 3 types of dips, including Turmeric Curry Hummus, Tuscan Kale Parmesan Pine Nut Hummus, and Black Bean Chipotle Hummus
  • Assorted Gourmet Mini Sandwiches on Brioche Buns:
    • House Roasted Turkey, Brie, Garlic & Walnut Aioli with Baby Arugula
    • Mesquite Grilled Shredded Chicken with Baby Spinach & Basil Lemon Pesto
    • Slow Roasted Pulled Pork with Chipotle Aioli & Cilantro Slaw
A child and his grandpa playing cornhole. In the background, there is several greeneries.
Two friends talking to each other. One is standing up explaining while the other is sitting down while listening in the grooms suite.
The grandpa is celebrating their game of cornhole. The grandkid is running in the background while the grandpa pumps his hands in the air of excitement. Behind them is a green scenery.
The groom is buttoning his white button-up. Behind him is a drawer with his suit hanging.
The groom is getting ready to put on his pink tie. He is wearing a white button up and grey pants. His coat and tie are on a hanger.
One of the grooms' friends is helping him put his pink tie. In the background, there is a table filled with snacks.
The groom is almost fully ready and putting his grey suit on. He is wearing his pink tie, grey vest and grey coat. His surroundings consists of: blue curtains, brown drawer, and a quilted bench with extra pink ties.
The groom is smiling for a picture after getting his suit and tie ready. Behind him is a brown drawer filled with suit and ties hanging for his groomsmen.

First Look Under the Trellis

Under the jasmine and wisteria-covered trellis connected to the courtyard, the couple did their first look prior to the ceremony, and gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes at the start of their magical day together. With genuine smiles filling the screen, Amanda and Jordan couldn’t contain their excitement as they experienced their enchanted private first look.

The bride is walking through the jasmine and wisteria-covered trellis while holding a pink floral bouquet as she goes for her first look with the groom.
The bride is approaching the groom for a first look. The bride is wearing a drop necklace and has a bun up-do.
The groom smiles widely staring at his wife for a first look. Bride is wearing a white dress, drop necklace and is holding a floral bouquet with bright and dark colors combined.
The couple shares a hug to celebrate the first look with each other. Behind them is a jasmine and wisteria-covered trellis.
A black and white photo of the couple hugging after their first look. The groom is smiling as he hugs his future wife. The background consists of the jasmine and wisteria-covered trellis.

Champagne Welcome

As guests crossed through the custom green velvet curtain entering La Venta, they were greeted by tray-passed champagne and refreshing sparkling water pre-ceremony. 

Close up shot of a tray passed champagne glasses.
The champagne is being passed out while a server is holding the tray pass.

English Garden Wedding Florals

Their wedding floral arrangements were vibrant, with touches of darker colors, and set the mood for an English Garden theme. With stunning colorful floral pillars, used first for the ceremony at the stone altar, and then repurposed for the reception moving indoors to outline the doorway connecting the ballroom and garden dining room, they also had fresh wedding bouquets, aisle florals, centerpieces, fountain florals, and chandelier greenery by local florist Stems by Kate. 

Close up shot of the floral arrangement. Shades of purple, pink and green surrounds the pillar.
Another angle of the floral pillar during the wedding with the officiant in the middle of the shot.
Floral arrangement with candles on top of the fire pit.
Brown chairs with white cushions in the courtyard for the guests during the ceremony. There is a floral arrangement on the outer side of the aisle chairs.
Another angle of the chairs for the ceremony. On the aisle chair, there is a pink tag with a floral bouquet on the floor.
A candid shot of a pink and orange bouquet in a vase Infront of the fireplace.
Another angle of the courtyard ceremony overlooking the Oceanview. In the middle of the stage, there is two pillars that bare a similar to an arch. The background consists of blue skies, green hedges, and the brown chairs.
The floral pillars in front of the reception area in the building. There is a chandelier covered with greeneries.

Outdoor Ocean View Wedding Ceremony

Amanda and Jordan’s beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony took place on La Venta’s iconic grass lawn with a stone aisle and altar, with blue skies overlooking the ocean and South Bay beach cities. Hues of green, pink, purple, and peach surrounded the ceremony, bringing the space to life with color and charm. Flower girls wore pale green spring floral dresses (easy to wear again later!), with bridesmaids pretty in soft pink floor length dresses and groomsmen matching in grey suits with pink ties. Their ceremony had a stunning blue ocean view for both the guests and couple to enjoy. 

With Officiant Tammy J., the couple shared their heartfelt vows before sealing their first kiss as husband and wife in front of their loved ones. After they walked back up the aisle together, the couple captured their day with a group picture with all of their attendees with a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, Beach Cities, and greenery at La Venta Inn.

Outdoor ocean view wedding set-up with blue skies, green hedges and brown chairs in the background.
Candid shots of the guests as the ceremony starts.
Two bridesmaids with one of the groomsmen walking down the aisle. The bridesmaids are wearing pink floor length dresses while holding a pink theme bouquet. The groomsmen is wearing a grey suit with a pink tie.
The groomsmen kiss the hand of the bridesmaid as they walk down the aisle for the ceremony. Groomsman is wearing a grey suit and tie with black loafers. The bridesmaid is wearing a floor-length pink dress with a small floral bouquet.
The two flower girls smile as they walk down the aisle spreading the flowers from their basket. They are wearing a matching pastel green dress with flowers on them while wearing a floral headband.
The father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle. The veil of the bride is being blown by the wind in a perfectly magical setting.
A candid shot of the bride with her father walking. The bride is holding her bouquet.
Another angle of the bride and her father walking down the stone stairs of the aisle.
The groom is looking at his bride with happiness as she walks down the aisle. The background overlooks an Oceanside View with two floral pillars in the middle of the stage.
The bride and her father approaches the groom at the end of the aisle.
The father of the bride gives his daughter a kiss on the cheek as he gives her away to her future husband. The background overlooks an oceanside view, green hedges and two floral pillars.
The groom lifts the veil of his bride to start off the ceremony of the wedding. One of the bridesmaids is fixing the bottom of her veil.
A candid shot of the ceremony. To the left are the bridesmaids and the right the groomsmen. In the middle of the stage, there is an officiant speaking to the bride and groom. The background consists of an oceanside view, two pillars and guests on each sides of the bride and groom.
Another angle of the ceremony stage facing the audience of the wedding. The background consists of two floral pillars, and guests seating down for the ceremony.
Another overview of the ceremony wedding overlooking an oceanside view with blue skies and green scenery.
A candid shot of the bride smiling at the camera during the ceremony. In the background are her bridesmaids smiling with grin as well.
A close up shot of the groom putting the ring on his bride. There is a mic in the middle of the image.
A closer shot of the couple holding hands with the officiant reading something from a book. The view overlooking the oceanside.
A close up shot of the couple overlooking the oceanside view with two floral pillars in the background, The bride smiles with happiness while the groom is wiping his tears of joy with a handkerchief.
The bridesmaids are smiling at each other. They are also wearing pink dresses with different styles. Behind them are tall green hedges complimenting their pink dresses.
The bride lifts her bouquet while walking back down the aisle celebrating the start of their marriage.
Group picture of the couple and their guests. The view overlooking the oceanside with blue skies and tall green hedges.
The couple looks back at their guests with excitement. The guests are smiling and laughing with the couple. The view overlooks the oceanside.
The couple looks at each other as they walk back up the aisle. Their surroundings consist of tall palm trees, stoned pathway and blue skies.

Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour took place in both the outdoor courtyard and connected indoor ballroom. Entering the courtyard, guests enjoyed a variety of appetizers and beverages, as well as the welcome table with two polaroid cameras and a signature book. Guests were able to write personal messages to the couple along with their picture as a remembrance that they were there to share the happy moment with the couple. A beautiful active fountain and greenery all around provided a comfortable space for everyone to mingle and celebrate.

A candid shot of the outside courtyard with a fountain in the middle of the image with plants all around it.
Another angle of the fountain with flowers all around it. In the background, there is a green curtain to match the greenery all around.
Image of the welcome table. In the table, there is 2 polaroid cameras, a signature book and a sign that welcomes their guests. The table template also has a floral bouquet.
Another angle of the outside courtyard overlooking the fountain. The fountain is surrounded by pots of plants filled with pink flowers. There is also two tables covered with white sheets.
Candid pictures of the guests conversing with each other in the courtyard.
The outside courtyard at La Venta filled with guests talking to each other.
The bride is conversing with her guests and celebrating her wedding.
The groom is talking to two of his guests in the courtyard.
The groom with his father-in-law and two groomsmen. They are all wearing dark suits with pink ties.
An overview shot of the guests in the outside courtyard.

For the couple’s Diamond Bar package with their wedding bar service from Made by Meg Catering, they offered both a signature mocktail and a signature cocktail. We appreciate their thoughtfulness for their guests, and have seen an increasing trend where delicious signature mocktails are added to personalized signature beverage menus at weddings and events. Given with each beverage, they also had custom cocktail napkins with their AJ wedding logo and date.

  • Signature Cocktail: Bee’s Knees – Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, garnished with a dehydrated lemon wheel in double rocks glassware.
  • Signature Mocktail: Pomegranate Refresher – Grapefruit juice, lime juice, pomegranate syrup, and club soda, garnished with a dehydrated lemon wheel and pomegranate seeds.
  • Beer: Modelo, Blue Moon (with orange slices), and Firestone Mind Haze Light IPA
  • Wine: Mumm Napa Brut, Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, and Unshackled by Prisoner Cabernet
A picture of the bar section of the wedding. The bar has a sign with signature cocktails, custom napkins, black straws, fruits and a bouquet around the table.
A close up shot of a custom signature cocktail sign. In the background there is a bouquet in the table.
A close up shot of 4 alcohol bottles.
Close up shots of 7 alcohol bottles with a pomegranate syrup bottle on the table
A solo shot of one of the signature cocktails.
Close up shot of the bar table featuring the custom drink napkins and signature cocktails sign.

During cocktail hour in the indoor ballroom, guests enjoyed selecting from the Cheese Grazing Table station. Not your average cheese board, the location and size offered a visually appealing and customizable culinary experience that catered to various tastes, preferences, and dietary restrictions. 

  • Domestic Cheese Display: Consisting of Spanish Manchego Sheep Cheese, St. Andre Brie Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, fresh organic red grapes, dried fruits, house roasted nuts, and whole grain crackers.
Close up shot of the domestic cheese display sign. Around the sign are: grapes, cheese, crackers and a flower.
Candid image of guests taking food from the cheese display platter.
Another angle of the cheese display overview. The table is surrounded by guests taking food with a chandelier above the table.

For their tray-passed appetizer catering, a variety of tasty hors d’oeuvres were walked around the courtyard during cocktail hour:

  • Coconut Curry Shrimp topped with apricot sweet chile sauce
  • Peking Duck Tacos with sliced cucumbers, housemade plum sauce, hoisin, and microgreen garnish on a miniature taco shell
  • Crispy Pan Seared Chipotle Glazed Pork Belly on jalapeño cheddar cornbread
Image of the coconut curry shrimp topped with apricot sweet chile sauce
Image of the peking duck tacos tray pass. It has sliced cucumbers, housemade plum sauce, hoisin and microgreens garnish.
Image of the crispy pan seared chipotle glazed pork belly on jalapeno cheddar cornbread on a black tray pass.

Reception Setup First Look

The couple had a first peak of how their reception vision came to life prior to guests taking their seats. Everything that glitters is gold – from chairs to charger plates. In La Venta Inn’s Garden Dining Rooms, each table had gold plates with a pink napkin and custom menu, pink and gold glassware, and gold utensils. To accompany the tableware, the floral centerpieces with hues of green, purple, pink, and orange complimented the tables. The couples’ sweetheart table next to the lower garden windows had a lush string of green leaves and flowers that made the dining reception area just that much more magical. 

The couple got a first look of their reception coming to life.
The couple is walking through the reception area.
A close up shot of the table with shades of pink and gold. The table consists of pink glasses, pink napkins, gold plates, custom menus and a bouquet as the centerpiece.
Another angle of the table setup with the focus on the custom menu on top of a pink napkin and gold plate. The table also consists of a floral centerpiece and pink glasses.
A wider picture of the table set up. The table consists of pink glasses, pink napkins, gold plates, custom menus and a bouquet as the centerpiece.
An overview shot of the couples table setup facing the guests.
A view of the couples table from their guests' point of view. Behind the tables are clear windows filled with greeneries all around.
A close up shot of the custom menu for each guests. The guests setup includes gold plate and utensils, pink napkins and glasses with a custom menu.
Another angle of the couples table in the reception area. The table is filled with green drapes around it and florals around the table floor. Gold chairs surround the reception.

Family & Wedding Party Portraits

For ideal group photo locations, they took smaller group portraits with their families at both La Venta Inn’s Keyhole Lookout and Ceremony Lawn. After the ceremony setup was cleared, the lawn was able to be used as a photo location for the background of the Pacific Ocean, South Bay beach cities, and green hedges. Their wedding photography team, Miki & Sonja Photography, was able to capture multiple generations of their families together with Amanda and Jordan, newly husband and wife. 

Their photoshoot following the ceremony highlighted the meaningful relationships with their wedding entourage, including their ring bearer and flower girls. The bridesmaids complemented Amanda with their floor length pink dresses, being different styles in the same shade of pink, while the grey suits were the perfect tone for the theme and color palette.

The bride takes a picture with her bridesmaids wearing pink dresses and holding floral bouquets.
A candid photo of the bride with her father. The background consists of blue skies and greeneries all around.
Two of the flower girls wearing pastel green dresses and the ringbearer wearing a gray suit takes a picture walking down the aisle.
A family picture with the couple. Overlooking the oceanside view of La Venta.
The groom takes a group picture laughing with his groomsmen. They are all wearing grey suits with a pink tie.

Rentals

Amanda brought in custom furniture that fit her exact wedding vision for their Los Angeles wedding reception, including a hedging bar, golden dining room chairs, lounge couch seating next to the fireplace, and green draping curtains to close off the courtyard.

An overview of the entrance to the outside courtyard. The image consists of a welcome sign and green draping curtains to compliment the greenery of the venue.
A candid shot of the fireplace area. The room consists of gold lounge couch and green and pink florals around.

Reception Details

The couple was welcomed by cheers as they made their grand entrance at the reception to the song “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. As the night continued, heartfelt speeches by the father of the bride, best man, MOHs, and bride’s brother during dinner left the crowd in party mode as they lovingly shared their stories about the couple. Pink and gold continued to reign as their wedding theme as they shared their toasts with rose gold glasses.

The father of the bride giving applaud to his son in law while reading a letter to the guests.
The couple shares a toast with their guests.
One of the groomsmen shares a story of the groom as he talks to the crowd.

Dinner Reception in the Garden Rooms

Catering Menu: For their premier wedding catering in Los Angeles, they selected a multi-course plated dinner service, with salads served at 6:55pm, dinner service at 7:20pm, and speeches during dinner starting at 7:40pm. They also included the best vegetarian catering options for their guests.  

Starter Course:

  • Warm Artisan Ciabatta & Kalamata Olive Rolls, served with Maldon salted honey butter & herb oil mixture 
  • Meg’s Waldorf Salad with fresh grapes, gorgonzola, candied walnuts, crunchy celery over mixed greens, and reduced balsamic vinegar creme

Main Course: Plated Dinner 

  • Fish Entrée: Sriracha Garlic Palm Sugar Glazed Salmon with Yuzu Tamari
  • Beef Entrée: Fig + Carneros Petit Syrah Braised Short Ribs garnished with fresh rainbow radishes
  • Vegan Entrée: Mediterranean Cauliflower Steak made with Mediterranean marinated cauliflower steak, Roja chimichurri, zucchini, onion, cherry tomatoes, and white lemon citrus quinoa.

Sides to Accompany Main Course Proteins

  • Flash Roasted Haricot Verts with Crispy Shallots
  • Caramelized Onion Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Two of the bridesmaids are speaking onto a mic sharing stories about the bride.
The guests laughing at the ceremony as they listen to the stories of the couple.

Sunset Wedding Portraits

The colors of the sunset, from the sky to the ocean, seemed to naturally match the colors of their wedding aesthetic. Sunset and greenery filling the background of the West Garden Lawn, where the couple took intimate & romantic pictures as they took in the moment of just being married.

Solo shot of the couple with the sunset and greenery in the background.
The couple look at each other with happiness at the West Garden Lawn at La Venta. The background is filled with green sceneries and a palm tree.

Traditional Cake Cutting 

With a timeless white double-tiered cake covered in pearls and combining two different cakes on top of each other, the couple sliced a piece to indulge a first bite together as the song “So Happy Together” by The Turtles played. Amanda and Jordan chose a double tiered cake from Cara Mia Baking Co, with the bottom 8” layer being Raspberry Lemonade, a white cake with a lemon curd and raspberry filling, and the top 6” layer was Ferrero Forever, hazelnut cake with a whipped Nutella cream and Crispearl filling. The cake was frosted in traditional Swiss buttercream decorated with ivory pearls on both tiers. The guests were served from quarter sheet cakes, their choice of Ferrero Forever or the Raspberry Lemonade cakes.

A solo shot of the 2-tiered wedding cake with pearls all around.
The couple takes a slice of their two tiered wedding cake.

Dancing in the Ballroom

In the wood floor ballroom, the dance floor was made even more romantic by the greenery hung from the two chandeliers above, and florals and LED candles displayed on the fireplace mantle. Their first dance song was “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison, and it started the dance vibes on the right foot. Guests enjoyed dancing to the upbeat music played by Ruby from VOX DJs, and Amanda had an outfit change to her party dress for the end of the reception, prior to the last dance song of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli.

The couple shared their first dance in the middle of the ballroom with a chandelier in the background.
The groom twirls his bride in their first dance as the guests watch their first dance.
The couple look at each other with admiration as they share their first dance as a couple.
The bride is dancing with her guests in the middle of the ballroom.
The bride is dancing with one of her friends who is wearing a blue dress.
Candid shot of two of their guests smiling and admiring the scenery.
The bride and groom are dancing with their guests in the ballroom. The background consists of purple lights, guests all around and a chandelier covered with greeneries.
The couple shares a dance in the middle of the ballroom surrounded by their guests in a group circle. Behind the couple, are guests smiling and celebrating. The background consists of red lights and a chandelier covered in greeneries.

Grand Exit with Bubbles & To-Go Cookie Snacks

Following a thank you speech, the couple made a grand exit through a tunnel of bubbles. Before leaving, with many guests departing via prearranged shuttles, wedding attendees received Meg’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies individually wrapped as a yummy treat to take with them to enjoy on the ride home and/or to the after-party.

The couple walks through their grand exit as their guests blows bubbles. The background consists of blue lights, guests blowing bubbles and a chandelier covered with greeneries.
Close up shot of chocolate chip cookies wrapped in clear bags and brown ties.
The couple shares a kiss in the middle of the group tunnel of their grand exit. The couples are blowing bubbles in the background.

Vendor Team: