A Moody California Wedding with a Dance Party in a Speakeasy

Justine Gordon Schlecter wasn't eager to join the dating apps, but with a little help from a few close friends, she created a profile—and quickly found her match. David Schlecter couldn't believe the smart, beautiful, and funny woman he'd found on Hinge; he asked her to meet in person at an off-the-beaten path bar in Mar Vista called The Alley. Justine accepted his invitation—and shared her iPhone location with her friends, just in case. Her nerves were quickly assuaged: These two strangers quickly became old friends. They realized that they had several joint passions and interests—and a shared sense of humor and similar family values.

It was no surprise that things moved quickly. They were engaged 18 months later in September 2019. And, after a delay due to the pandemic and all of the typical frustrations of navigating safety and deciding whether or not to elope, the pair was married on August 28, 2021, in Montecito, Calif., at the Rosewood Miramar Beach with their loved ones, family, and friends by their side.

The Lynden Lane Co. planned and designed the celebration, which merged both of their styles into a design landscape that balanced masculine and feminine touches—and utilized all of the unique aspects of the property to create an event that was all their own.

Parisian Touches and Floral Elegance

The team at The Lynden Lane Co. worked hand in hand with artist and stationer Elsa Madeline Design to create a paper set that perfectly represented both the couple and the spirit of the event. Everything from the save-the-dates and the invitations—with details including custom painted floral liners, a map of the property, a drawing of the venue, and a custom monogram—to the tied menus felt cohesive and fresh. The fonts, colors, and blend of minimalist and maximalist touches all evoked the Parisian elegance of the wedding.

Bridesmaids By Her Side

Justine's bridesmaids wore champagne silk slip dresses from Alice + Olivia. Several of her attendants actually became pregnant ahead of their rescheduled date, so luckily, the group was able to pivot their attire and find something that worked for everyone.

The First

The first wedding dress Justine tried on—a stunning mermaid silhouette by Galia Lahav with a delicate floral lace overlay and an off-the-shoulder detail that gently draped over her arms—was the winner. The designer was actually in the atelier on the day that Justine went shopping; she picked out Justine's veil and snapped a photo with her during the appointment.

Vintage, Artistic Elements

The couple chose the Rosewood Miramar Beach as their venue because of its accessibility for friends, family, and children—as well as all of the property's unique spaces available for their celebration. The ceremony unfolded on an expansive lawn, where wooden bistro chairs were placed in front of an iron chuppah. "Each chair had a hand-painted fan from an artist in Spain," says Justine.

In Bloom

The design team created a custom black aisle flanked by lush garden florals, courtesy of Mindy Rice Design.

Trellis Chuppah

The pair's chuppah was composed of black iron garden trellises; a vintage white lace talit, or prayer shawl, was suspended above.

The Cutest Mess

Watching their niece and nephews walk down the aisle was one of Justine and David's favorite moments of the day. "It was a mess, but the cutest mess ever," says the bride. The oldest boy joined the men in a tux, while the younger ring bearers wore tuxedo suspender shorts . The flower girl, who was thrilled about her role, practiced the day before, and pranced down the aisle in an Isabel Garreton dress.

Groom at the Altar

David—beaming with joy as he saw his bride on the aisle—looked timeless in a black tuxedo with a white silk pocket square and velvet slippers. He wanted to be "comfortable yet snazzy."

Saying Yes to Forever

The couple wrote their own vows, which they exchanged during their meaningful and long-awaited ceremony. After they marched back up the aisle as husband and wife, the couple took a moment to themselves to bask in all of the love surrounding them. Looking back at their big day, Justine says, "Enjoy the ride. Always remember to not lose sight of the main purpose—celebrating your love!"

Inspired by a Parisian Sidewalk Cafe

A cast iron sign frame held a personalized cocktail hour sign, adding a Parisian touch to the interlude's décor scheme.

Bloom Bar

The cocktail hour mimicked a sidewalk cafe, and featured hand painted wallpaper by Elsa Madeline Design. Carte Blanche, a French-inspired quartet, entertained guests as they sipped on cocktails and snacked on appetizers.

A Sweet Surprise

David loves chocolate, so the couple worked with a chocolatier in San Francisco to design hand-painted treats that mimicked the floral illustration from their invitations. A chocolate was placed on top of hand-calligraphed coasters, which doubled as escort cards and guided guests to their seats.

Romantic and Refined

The pair's black-and-white color palette, which was accentuated with touches of deep burgundy and mauve, carried into the romantic reception tablescape, which was inspired by Parisian dinners al fresco. Elsa Madeline Design hand painted the menus, which echoed the other day-of paper—everything felt curated, moody, and on-theme.

Marble and Blooms

Marble slabs depicted each station's table number; lush, overflowing centerpieces were filled with a mix of rose varieties and ferns.

The After-Party

The French theme continued during the after-party, complete with art deco-inspired lettering, moody floral details, and a dimly lit ambience. Everything about this portion of the event felt sultry and sexy—with all of the vibes of a French speakeasy. The Lynden Lane Co. completely transformed a room in the hotel into a 1940s Parisian nightclub, which guests entered through a dramatic velvet curtain. Stylish cocktail tables, set with golden lamps, added to the chic vibe.

On the Dance Floor

Justine and David wanted to create an immersive experience at every turn, and they did so with the help of Elan Artists. From dancers to synchronized swimmers, the entertainment was top-notch and something guests couldn't stop talking about all weekend.

Sugar Story

The pair's incredible floral-inspired cake, full of organic movement and gravity-defying lines, greeted guests as soon as they walked into the after-party. "Jasmine Rae Cakes is a genius," says Justine.

Love and Espresso Martinis

With a quick change into a gold Galvan dress, which was perfect for dancing, Justine rejoined her husband and their guests at the after-party. They were bowled over with love for each other and for those who had joined them from near and far—and, as they grabbed espresso martinis from the bar, they were amazed by the realization of the vision, recalling "how insanely beautiful and fun it all was."

Sources

Photography, Erich McVey
Venue, Rosewood Miramar Beach
Event Planning, The Lynden Lane Co.
Catering, Rosewood Miramar Beach
Cake, Jasmine Rae Cakes
Flowers, Mindy Rice Design
Videography, Le Rêve Films
Stationery, Elsa Madeline Design
Music, Elan Artists
Bride's Gown, Galia Lahav
Hair, Contour Fossa
Makeup, Contour Fossa
After-Party Dress, Galvan
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Alice + Olivia
Bridesmaids and Family Hair and Makeup, Team Hair and Makeup
Groomsmen, The Black Tux
Lighting, Amber Event Production
Custom Aisles, Trejo Dance Floors
Custom Trees, Green Set, Inc.; Jackson Shrub Supply
Custom Fans, Rosana Gonzalez
Synchronized Swimmers, Aqualillies
Custom Items and Rentals, The Ark Rentals; Found Rental Co.; Theoni Collection; Revelry Event Designers