Love & Light Shines in This Santa Monica Mountain Design

After two decades of designing enchanted weddings in the South, wedding planner Anita Kanellis of AK Brides has brought her charm and expertise to Los Angeles. Inspired by Southern California’s sparkling sea, Kanellis incorporated the outdoors and ocean hues in this particular design.

“My brand is based on light and bright vibes, with pink and gray as the main color inspiration,” explains Kanellis. “In this design, I wanted to bring in another dimension of color and focus on soft blue tones.” The result is a dainty setting that evokes romance with every detail.

Delicate hand-sketched invitations evoke a romantic tone. Each corresponding detail embraces this subtle sensibility, including beautifully designed dessert cookies, an ethereal ceremony setting and the abundant bouquet of ruffled blooms and delicate textured details.

The design features whispers of blue and blush to create a bold visage against the natural backdrop. Organic, carefree floral arrangements featuring hydrangea, ranunculus, roses, cosmos and scabiosa add romance.

Sweetwater Cocktails concocted The Peach Blossom, a drink made of gin, lemon juice and peach juice with a touch of honey liqueur; a twist on the old fashioned, using Cointreau and orange blossom honey.

Executive chef Julio Castorena of Très L.A. Catering created a surf-and-turf-inspired menu featuring a seared sea scallop salad garnished with white and green asparagus, roasted citron confit and a blue spirulina “coral” crouton.

Smoked salmon with kaffir lime mousse, new-potato rösti and black caviar.

Châteaubriand pan-roasted with truffles and accompanied by fennel and lemon pousseline, spicy paprika fondant potatoes finished with a truffle and fig demi-glace.