This Stylish Duo Had Three Days of Pre-Wedding Events, Including a Mini Pool Party and Earthy Rehearsal Dinner

Pre-Wedding Pool Party

Christonya and Orlando threw a series of events in the three days leading up to their big day. The festivities began with a welcome mixer at the Proper Hotel in Santa Monica; the following day, ahead of the pair's joint bachelor and bachelorette night, they hosted a mini pool party at the same locale. "The Proper Hotels are known for their unique design and aesthetic which drew us to the idea of hosting our family and friends there," notes the bride. "We felt this hotel would be a beautiful location to accommodate our first two days of celebrating."

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Textural Swimsuit

Christonya saved her ivory one-piece from Andrea Iyamah—a designer she loves for her incredible use of texture—to her wedding Pinterest board as soon as she saw it online. "I wasn't sure if I was going to wear it for one of my wedding events or save it for the honeymoon, but I knew it would be a part of this memorable time," she shares.

Olive Beauty

She fell in love with the designer's "Amina" style, too—and thought the olive-green colorway and adjustable straps (which allowed each woman to create her own style) would be perfect for her friends. "I knew that my friends and I had to cease the moment and make it a fun girls photo opportunity for the group," she says.

After the couple and their loved ones enjoyed delicious drinks by the pool—and watched a dance-off between the bride's mother and aunt ("I don't think we have ever laughed so hard," reflects Christonya)—they quickly changed before they were whisked away on a party bus and transported to Mastro's Ocean Club for a meal. "After dinner, the bus stopped us at the pier where we toasted with Champagne and cigars," she says. "It was the perfect end to a very memorable night."

Let's Rehearse

The following evening, the soon-to-be newlyweds hosted their rehearsal dinner—attended by 30 guests—at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, where their nuptials also unfolded. "I wanted the rehearsal dinner to feel relaxed, chic, and earthy," explains the bride. "When I walked the grounds of the venue and saw the beautiful olive trees swaying back and forth, I knew this was the spot."

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Stylish Couple

Christonya wore a "sexy and sophisticated" olive-green dress from Christopher Esber and Jimmy Choo shoes. "I really wanted to have fun and take a bit of a risk with my rehearsal dinner look," she says. "I wore vintage McQueen to my bridal brunch earlier that day and thought that the Christopher Esber dress would be a nice change of pace." Orlando opted for a mid-brown double-breasted pinstripe suit from SuitSupply; both of their ensembles reinforced the palette of the event, which revolved around organic hues.

Earthy Dress Code

The pair also encouraged their attendees to dress in warm earth tones, which resulted in a stylish mix of olive, plum, gray, linen, and rust ensembles.

Fig Inspiration

Speaking of their event palette: Christonya wanted each part of their extended wedding weekend to "feel fluid" from one gathering to the next. "It was important for me to have continuity, but also an effortlessness to the palette," she says. "I wanted a mixture of shades of green with hints of blush, white, and earthy elements." The bride's mother ultimately had the idea to add figs to the tablescape design, which drove the party's color scheme home: "The colors of a sliced fig actually helped shape the overall palette for the rehearsal dinner."

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Nuanced Tablescape

Despite the fact that the couple was working on a tight timeline, they managed to source the ultimate batch of rentals from Theoni Collection. "The team in Los Angeles was so welcoming and helpful—they were truly a godsend," says Christonya. She loved the nuanced, textural tablescape they created using pale gray chargers and bread plates, rose gold cutlery, and etched floral glassware. "We knew we had something special," she says of the end result.

Fruit and Flowers

"After only one meeting, our florist, Jenn Sanchez, texted us and asked how we felt about incorporating fruit into the floral displays," says Christonya of the rehearsal dinner's centerpieces. Since they had already decided to integrate figs and other fruits into the arrangements, "it was as if she was literally reading our minds," she notes. "The tablescape turned out gorgeous and Jenn truly helped to bring our vision to life."

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Sentimental Gifts

Ahead of the party, Orlando and Christonya wrote personal letters—on hand-made paper sourced from India—to all of their bridesmaids and groomsmen. "The letters were included, alongside my favorite wine and dried flowers, in a French market bag for my bridesmaids," notes Christonya. "An aged whiskey and cologne was placed in the men's weekender bags. We are an extremely sentimental couple and really wanted to express our gratitude towards our friends and family who loved on us and supported us over the years."

Let's Eat

During the sit-down three-course meal from La Dolce, the celebrants enjoyed the pair's two favorite wines from Sunstone Winery—the viognier and grenache rosé—while they dined on a summer salad, roasted chicken, and pan-seared rib eye steak. There was no need for meal-time entertainment, says Christonya: "The evening was filled with conversation and laughter." For dessert, the pair served dressed fruit and peanut butter cupcakes.

Marriage Lessons

As they ate, the pair listened to some advice from the married duos sitting around the table. "These couples' marriages ranged from three to 48 years—totaling more than 175 years of marriage," says Christonya. Her sister and best friend also gave toasts; the latter touched on the couple's college days and noted the "genuine connection" they shared from the start.

As for the pair's best advice to duos currently planning their own rehearsal dinners? "Less is more," they say. "We would also recommend hosting the dinner in the same location where the ceremony will take place. This created a seamless transition from the wedding rehearsal to the ceremony proceedings." Another key point, they explain, is to remember that this part of the wedding weekend affords you an opportunity to express your thanks: "Convey your gratitude to the ones who have committed to standing beside you, supporting you throughout and participating on the big day."

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Sources

Photography, Lauren Fair Photography
Pool Party Venue, The Proper Hotel
Rehearsal Party Venue, Sunstone Winery
Event Planning, Erica Estrada and Lauren Broussard of Erica Estrada Design
Flowers, Jenn Sanchez
Swimsuits, Andrea Iyamah
Bride's Rehearsal Dinner Attire, Christopher Esber (dress), Jimmy Choo (shoes)
Groom's Rehearsal Dinner Attire, SuitSupply
Catering, La Dolce
Rentals, Theoni Collection
Favors, The Jolie Market, LLarLiving (market bags), Baosha (weekender bags)