At the tender age of 13 and 15, Cara and Ryan entered a seesaw love affair that wouldn’t find its balance for another six years. After years of unrequited love on both sides, the two finally hit a stride after high school graduation when Cara moved to San Diego and Ryan decided the time was now! In 2006, they officially became a twosome.
Cara dreamed of a timeless garden party in a refined setting, so the Hotel Bel-Air, with its meandering paths and verdant gardens, was the perfect fit. Kristin Banta Events put a modern spin on the enduring white color palette by adding onyx and brushed metallic gold.
Held in the infamous Swan Lake garden, guests were greeted with a refreshing cucumber spa water served from a vintage bar cart. The aisle featured the couple’s monogram in floral petals and led to a sophisticated altar set with brushed gold pedestals overflowing with cream flowers and greenery, accented by onyx pillar candles.
The draped outdoor tent created a warm and intimate garden party. Gold Versailles chairs flanked tables decorated with cut crystal, gold-rimmed glass chargers and Swiss dot napkins cinched with elegant black bows. Extravagant centerpieces of peonies, tea roses, jasmine vines, green ferns and seasonal pods trailed the length of the communal feasting tables with sparkling votives nestled throughout. Overhead hung vineyard chandeliers tangled with vines and lemon leaf.
As the sun set, guests headed into the ballroom where an eight-piece band kept the dance floor full. Non-dancers kicked back in cream linen lounge vignettes and indulged at the custom gelato bar. In lieu of one cake, KBE upped the ante with a dramatic series of gold-painted cakes from Fantasy Frostings.
