Sabrina and Ralph celebrated their love with a serene, whimsical, classic elegance inspired wedding on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, featuring smiles, laughter, spring florals, and use of both indoor and outdoor venue spaces. Hosting their wedding at La Venta Inn was extra special because this is also where they did their engagement photoshoot, with a few photos highlighted in our Instagram roundup.
Sabrina + Ralph’s Testimonial: “It was a day in heaven, I really appreciate everything you and the team did for us to make it perfect!”
Style: Matching I Do Shoes
Where class meets comfort, we loved the couple’s choice of matching white Converse-style sneakers with gold rings and Mr. & Mrs. I Do cursive text in black ink. These personalized elements not only make dancing the night away that much easier, but it’s a piece from your wedding that you know you can reuse after your big day to bring back memories of you on the dance floor with your new spouse, just like Ralph and Sabrina.
First Look Feels
No matter how many weddings we are a part of, the love that we feel when we get the opportunity to see photos of the looks on couples faces for the private first look makes our hearts melt. The initial reactions of happy tears, giant smiles, and genuine laughter show the pure love that they have for each other, and we are here for it! Their heartwarming first look took place on the West Garden Walkway, followed by photos on the connected grass lawn and keyhole lookout.
Ring Security Detail
We all know the importance of wedding rings for both partners, which is why hiring good security detail with top clearance is crucial for guarding these valuable pieces of jewelry before they make it securely on both of your ring fingers. Ring Security serves as the modern Ring Bearer 2.0, tasked with the important job of safeguarding the wedding rings, while doubling as a clever strategy to encourage young ones to remain dressed in formal attire, despite a suit and tie likely being less familiar and comfortable than their usual clothes. We’ve noticed an increase in Ring Security at weddings at La Venta Inn in 2024, with typically one to two youthful security guards entrusted with the precious rings, adding a charming element of delight to your overall guests’ experience. As you can see here, three-year-olds with a strong clearance do a great job with this responsibility.
Shining Bright Like A Diamond:
The Best Beverage Menu (Non-Alcoholic Station 4:50pm, Cocktail Hour 5:50pm)
- Signature Cocktail: Mojito – Rum, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Mint, Soda Water
- Diamond Bar Alcohol, Beer, Wine, Mixers, and Garnishes
- Champagne Tray Pass as guests entered (4:50pm) + Pour Service with Toasts (7:25pm)
- Pre-Ceremony Infused Waters included Lavender Lemon and Cucumber Mint
- Iced Teas – Hibiscus Lemon with Lemon Wheels
- La Venta Coffee and Hot Tea Station, including both Regular & Decaf Brewed Coffee
Ceremony Smiles
We love when we see couples and their guests thoroughly enjoying their ceremony, with giant smiles and bouts of laughter sprinkled into romantic, heartfelt readings and vows. Officiant Rev. Dr. Jules S. Bagneris III did a fantastic job with Sabrina and Ralph’s wedding service on La Venta’s ceremony lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles coastline. Words of Wisdom were shared from Fred Moyer before an exchange of vows and rings, before the saying I Do with dazzling views and their first kiss as a married couple. At the end of the ceremony, the recessional song “Marry You” by Bruno Mars played after the pronouncement as the newlyweds walked back up the aisle.
Elegant Blush Garden Party Florals
The ambiance was pastel garden romantic European, with tables perfectly set with blush pink, white, and light peach florals. Along with candle gifts in pink bags, the setting was very demure and calming. The florals were done by local florist Del Sol Flowers and included a mixture of gorgeous pink Peonies along with garden local Coffee Dahlias and pale pink Hydrangeas. The centerpieces were in beautiful 9-inch fish bowls in a European pave design. The bridal bouquet was softly picked with gorgeous imported Peonies, Bell of Bethlehem, off-white Scabiosas, Freida, and beautiful off-white cream Vendela roses.
Premium Surf & Turf Catering Menu
Tray passed hors d’oeuvres served to guests during cocktail hour (5:50pm-6:50pm)
- Spicy Tuna with Sweet Miso Sauce on Crispy Rice
- Dry Rub Crust Lamb Lollipops
- Mini Crab Cakes with Garlic Basil Aioli
Grazing Station during cocktail hour (5:50pm-6:50pm)
- Domestic Cheese Display with 3 Hand-Selected American Cheeses (Manchego, Cheddar, and St. Andre for Sabrina and Ralph’s wedding), Whole Grain Crackers, Fresh Organic Grapes, Dried Fruit, and House Roasted Nuts.
Tables Pre-Set with Starter Course (6:45pm)
- Warm Artisan Ciabatta & Kalamata Olive Rolls served with Maldon Salted Honey Butter & Herb Oil Mixture
- Big Sur Date Salad with Dates, Roasted Rosemary Cashews, Roasted Parsnips, Burrata, Baby Kale with a Citrus Vinaigrette
- Kid’s Menu: Crispy chicken strips with fresh fruit, carrots, and fries served with ranch and ketchup
Main Course Service (7:30pm)
- Seafood Entrée: Roasted Salmon with Fresh Cilantro Pesto
- Beef Entrée: Flank Steak with Chimichurri & Rainbow Radish
- Vegan Entrée: Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with Spinach, Quinoa, Pine Nuts, & Chimichurri
Sides to Accompany Main Course Proteins (7:30pm)
- Spicy Roasted Seasonal Vegetables, including Broccolini, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts
- Roasted Rosemary & Garlic Fingerling Potatoes
The Reception in the Garden Rooms
Cheers to the happy couple! From the couple’s grand entrance to heartfelt speeches during dinner to the cutting of their multi-tiered red velvet cake from local baker Cara Mia Baking Co, Sabrina and Ralph kicked off married life surrounded by love. The cake was a 5-tier (the three top tiers were real cake, the bottom two tiers faux), all Red Velvet, traditional pastry with cream cheese filling and Swiss buttercream frosting. They also had two additional Red Velvet cakes to serve their guests- one was vegan, the other traditional.
Dance Party in the Ballroom
From the Hills first dance to “At Last” by Etta James to the competitive bouquet toss to tearing up the dance floor with family and friends, the party was full of joy, with music and tech by Vox DJs. The dancing took place on the hardwood floors of the ballroom dance hall below the two Chandeliers and in front of the fireplace decorated with florals. The couple had selected songs that were important to them, and the DJ structured the night around these while helping to select other songs to fill the gaps. They had a variety of fun items from Vox to personalize the space, including 8 Up Lights for the Ballroom, Basic Dance Lights, Cold Floor Sparklers, and a CLIQ Social Booth.
More Fun Details
From mirrored signage to both wedding parties getting ready on property in the separate tucked away Hideaway Suite and Oceanview Cottage, every detail of The Hills wedding was thoughtful, personal, and full of love.
The Hills Vendor Team:
- Photographer: Zoom Theory Photography, @zoomtheory
- Wedding Planner: Eighteen Place Cards, @eighteenplacecards
- Food + Bar Catering: Made by Meg Catering, @madebymegcatering
- Venue + Rentals: La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes, @laventainn_pv
- Cake: Cara Mia Baking Co., @caramiabakingco
- Music + Photo Booth: VOX DJs, @voxdjs
- Florals: Del Sol Flowers, @delsolflowers
