Eva and Brinton's Malibu Wedding: Stauffer Chapel & Rancho del Cielo

August 15, 2009. What a gorgeous day! Eva, Brinton, and I had been planning their wedding for about 8 months and the day came together flawlessly. I am so excited to share these pictures!

Eva, a super duper smart business consultant (they moved to Boston the week after their honeymoon so she could get her MBA at Harvard) and Brinton, a cool video game producer (with an awesome name, I might add) were a joy to work with. They both truly “got” what I do and let me do what I do best: create a wonderful wedding day.

The ceremony was held in Stauffer’s Chapel on the Pepperdine Campus in Malibu. I kid you not, there were deer strolling around the grounds at the wedding rehearsal. Pretty deer, perfect weather, and a view of the Pacific? Heaven! The ceremony was officiated by the rad Rev. Maryetta Anshutz of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills. Maryetta was a blast to work with--young, hip, and cool.




The guests left the chapel and parked at another church’s parking lot in Malibu to take the shuttle ride up to Rancho del Cielo. I compare the shuttle trip up to the top like a ride at Disneyland—you don’t know what is going to happen next! The shuttle takes you up a private road then when it looks like it dead-ends, you keep going and going and going. Rancho del Cielo is a little piece of heaven perched on top of a mountain with 180-degree views of the ocean. It is a secluded and private estate owned by the adorable Jill and Sparky and site managed by Avesta Carrara. The gardens are spectacular and the views are mind blowing.

It is a challenging property to work as there are only 5 parking spots up top and when you have rentals, caterers, photographers, coordinators, videographers, musicians, and guests coming and going, it takes a precise logistical dance to make things flow smoothly. And flow smoothly it did for Eva and Brinton’s wedding reception. I attribute that to not only awesome vendors, but to happy guests and a happy couple. Seriously, EVERY person that attended that wedding was nice—bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, friends. Everyone. It makes my job so much easier!

Eva's colors were a range of blues and purples ranging from pale silvery blue to a deep violet. The long feasting tables had signs on them that pointed to which side of the table the guests were to sit at. Each table name represented one of them and their personalities: "Mathematics" for Eva, "History" for Brinton, etc. The tablescapes were an organic mix of rocks, bird's nests, white bud vases, wooden boxes with ferns, hydrangea, sweet peas, and succulents, candles, and white ceramic bird salt and pepper shakers The white paper lanterns strung overhead added to the whimsical feel to the decor. Eva's dress was done by Amy Kuschel up in San Francisco. According to Eva, her line is carried in some SoCal shops, but the advantage of ordering from the San Francisco shop is they make the dress to fit you exactly - they take all your measurements, etc, so the dress fits perfectly.

The day could not have happened without the following:

Next Exit Photography - Photography
Gary Cobb - Organist for Stauffer Chapel at Pepperdine
Design Visage - Eva and Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup
Buckley Videography - Videography
Diana's Creative Catering - Catering
Mobile Disc Music - DJ and MC
Commerce Flowers - Floral
Smart Party Rents - Rentals
A Sweet Design - Wedding Cake
Corporate Coach Charter & Tours - Guest Shuttles
Crown Limousine LA - Limo for Bride & Groom

A big thank you to the wonderful and professional vendors that worked so hard that day, a huge thank you to my assistants Krista, Erin and my interns Sacha and Marci, and a gigantic thank you to Eva and Brinton for letting me be a part of your day.