The Villa San Juan Capistrano Wedding by Brett Hickman Photographers

Some people say that beautiful couples are a key to successful photographs, and we can't object! This stunning couple celebrated their special day at the Villa San Juan Capistrano, and it looked divine! From the stylish tables, luxurious blooms, smiling faces to the bride's elegant dress embellished with a heavily beaded sash, this wedding is a fairy tale!

Now add some cute table decoration, the most adorable flower girls, beautiful bridesmaids dressed in blush chiffon dresses, the dapper groom, and you're destined to shine! Job well done, and we will be swooning today over this beauty as we're elated to share these photographs captured by BRETT HICKMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS.

From the bride: Our wedding took place in the beautiful courtyard of The Villa San Juan Capistrano. One of the most memorable moments of our wedding was the walk down the aisle to the sound of violins playing "I can't help falling in love with you". I will never forget the look on Kell's face. We both were overjoyed with emotion and relieved the day has finally come. I was honored to finally say "I do" to such an amazing man. The theme of our wedding was "Time Standing Still" We used old vintage clocks as center pieces. All of the clocks were set to the date of our wedding 9:27. Each of the place card holders were hand crafted by my husband. The card holders were made of wine corks that we've collected thru the years. The most emotional part of my wedding was when my father serenaded me and my husband. I've waited all my life for this day/moment. As he sang "Moonlight Serenade", I cried the whole way thru as my husband held me in his arms. After dinner Kell made a beautiful heartfelt toast to thank everyone who joined us on such a special occasion. He looked at me, took a deep breath and looked on to the crowd. Everything was SO REAL standing there in front of all our family and friends. It was a moment we will never forget. We loved that everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. The speeches were entertaining, the food was absolutely delicious and most of all, the live band kept everyone on the dance floor the whole night long. It was truly the wedding of the year that will remain in our hearts forever.

Photographer: Brett Hickman Photographers // Venue: The Villa San Juan Capistrano // Wedding Dress Store: Winnie Couture Beverly Hills // Bridesmaids Dresses: Lovella Bridal // Florals: Flowers By Lynne Lucente // Hair & Make-up: Valene Del Rosario // Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas // Decor: Handpicked from Home Goods/Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market // Rentals: Signature Party Rental // Cake: Sweet Treats by Brandi

St. Regis Monarch Beach Wedding by Brett Hickman Photographers

Planning an international wedding might seem to be challenging, but  we believe everything is possible when done with love. Our stunning couple, the groom originally from England & the Californian bride with Lebanese roots, these two love birds planned their day effortlessly turning it into the most beautiful day of their lives. And so it should be, but if you still wonder how to plan a big multicultural weddings, we recommend reading a sweet note from the bride. 

Your special day is not about details or incredible planning (though those things are important), but it's about going with the flow and asking your family members to help with whatever you need help with. At the end of the day, your wedding day will be the very first day of your new happy life and we know you will celebrate it in style!

This coastal wedding photographed by Brett Hickman Photographers depicts how bright and blissful the newlyweds are and how precious their smiling faces are as they are surrounded by dear friends and family visiting from all over the world!

From the bride: We like to think of our wedding as traditional with our own twists! Max is from England, and I am from California, with my father and his side of the family from Lebanon. As you can imagine, it was a very international wedding! We had family and friends fly in for the wedding from England, Lebanon, Jersey (Channel Islands), France, Canada, The Bahamas, Saudi Arabia, Morocco... The list goes on! This is, perhaps, what we loved most about our wedding day. We were completely overwhelmed by the huge effort that so many people made to be there and share our special day with us.

The cultural differences manifested in the church when it came time for the hymns. Max thought that he had so aptly chosen the hymns for the service, when in fact, they were English hymns that virtually no one knew. Hence, an awkward silence struck when the music commenced, leaving Max and I snickering at the alter under our breaths. In retrospect, neither of us would have changed this, though. It was just too funny and made for a great story!

Advice for engaged couples: When all is said and done, your wedding day truly should be the most beautiful day of your life. I've seen so many brides get caught up in the stress of petty little details that, in the grand scheme of things, won't matter. Those details aren't what make up your wedding memories. I made a promise to myself, that I would not let anything, no minor mishaps or grand disasters, upset me in the lead up to the wedding. No matter what, I was going to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend and the love of my life that day; and no damaged cupcakes, dress mishaps, or seating mixups would get in the way of me being blissfully happy. It was the best promise I could have made. I wasn't overly picky about reception food selections, I let my father choose what he wanted, and wasn't too fussy. I wasn't dead-set on very many details. I compromised. I didn't stress or micromanage. I didn't diet before the wedding. I ate what I wanted, drank all the wine I wanted, and celebrated just about every day for the two weeks preceding the 23rd, and enjoyed every, single minute leading up to the big day. On the day of my wedding, I sat down, criss-cross-apple-sauce on my couch with a grilled cheese sandwich and an espresso and just goofed off with my bridesmaids while we all took turns having our hair and makeup done and ogling about how excited we all were. I wore white converse shoes underneath my dress, as I wanted to dance the night away, blister free! All of the smaller details of the ceremony and reception would fall into place, and if something didn't, oh well! I was going to smile regardless. So there you have it! Relax. Smile. Enjoy your wedding for everything that it is REALLY about!

Photographer: Brett Hickman Photographers // Ceremony Venue: Laguna Presbyterian Church // Reception Venue: St. Regis Monarch Beach // Event Planner: High Society Event Planning // Cupcakes: Sweet and Saucy // Rentals: Signature Rentals // Invitations: Francis Orr // Hair & Make-up: Brie Does Makeup // Florist & Decor: Inviting Occasion // Bridesmaids Dresses: Donna Morgan // Grooms Suit: Favourbrook (from London) // Wedding Gown: Rosa Clara // DJ: Vive Entertainment // Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Classic Black and White Outdoor Wedding

From the bride: Our wedding day was a day for the books. Cody has given me plenty of butterflies but this day was over the top with anticipation, joy, excitement, and nostalgia. I had spent months planning every detail for that day: the warm hanging globes, the altar, the hydrangeas, and the black and white curtains (my favorite detail by far). To see it all come together with the help of so many that I love and even those I had just met not too long before (Lauren and Kristin - my God sends from work who I couldn't have done without) was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. I was truly humbled by the whole day. Throughout its entirety I was struck with overwhelming emotions but it was about ten minutes prior to walking out that it all became truly surreal and I was completely engulfed with joy and anticipation. I could hardly stand the belly flips and butterflies and dear Lord the tears! My makeup hardly stood a chance! Everything came together beautifully and I couldn't have been happier with how everything looked, but I believe these moments before I first walked out to see Cody and the moments leading up to our minister pronouncing us as "Man and Wife" were by far my favorite parts of the day. My body was physically spilling over with joy; I think there was a moment when my excitement was audible to those close by at the altar, and I couldn’t do anything to control it! I could not wait to hear those words! It was truly something special and long awaited. I think I literally jumped in his arms when I heard "you may kiss your bride"! He may have walked away with more lipstick than me!

Photographer: Caroline Lima Photography // Florist: Herr Fresh Flowers // DJ: Tiffany Taylor “DJ Tay” // Wedding Dress: Hope’s Bridal // Shoes: Betsy Johnson // Bridesmaids’ dresses:Hope’s Bridal // Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank // Make-up and Hair: Meggie Censi // Caterer: Hillbillys BBQ // Ceremony Music: Brad Braggs // Cake: Amanda Walt // Stationary: Torrence Stationary