From the couple: I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our 10-year long distance relationship than a destination wedding. After having traveled extensively for our rendezvous for years, it didn't feel right if we didn't also travel to tie the knot. After months of scouring venues in Southern California, we found the amazing Pelican Hill and couldn't wait to share it with our family and friends.
Because the venue is already dressed with lush Mediterranean landscape, panoramic ocean views, and a graceful Italian rotunda, little was needed to make it the perfect setting. We kept things simple, but created a whimsical feel with a pop of color for our flowers. The wonderful JP Reynolds officiated our marriage while contemporary violinist Daniel Davis played our favorite tunes. Thanks to today’s technology, we found both through YouTube and couldn't be happier. I will always remember that moment when I walked down the aisle towards my best friend, escorted by the best father in the world, and surrounded by dear family and friends...it was magical. We exchanged vows under the rotunda as the sun was setting. It couldn’t be more perfect.
Wanting to keep our younger guests occupied, we brought in a cotton candy vendor and a caricature artist for our cocktail hour. Surprisingly, they were huge hits among both kids and adults. An hour seemed like 5 minutes when you're having fun. Before we know it, it was time to party! When Don and I saw the ballroom for the first time, we were floored. Our florist and event planner made our vision of an "enchanted forest" a reality! Bark-covered floral vases, beautiful textured linens, soft romantic lightings and two huge trees with candle-lit jars gave the ballroom that whimsical and enchanted look that I've always wanted. It was beautiful, but we all know that a pretty ballroom is nothing without good food! And we made sure this was the case. We had the chefs at Pelican Hill recreate favorite dishes from our travels, combining East and West, land and sea, into a delectable 5-course tasting menu for our guests. Even though we had to fly to California twice for our tasting, it was so worth it because guests are still raving about the food until this day. After dinner, our guests danced the night away to awesome music by our DJ Robert from Hilo Productions. And last but not least, the amazing photographers at Lin and Jirsa artistically captured these beautiful memories that I will forever cherished. It was a perfect day and will always be our favorite day.
Wedding planning advice: If you can afford it, hire a wedding planner, or at least a coordinator. No matter what goes wrong on the day of, it will be magical because in the end, it's not about the food, music, pomp or circumstances, it's about the memories with family and friends that truly matter.
