Modern, Stylish Wedding Day at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla

Maddie and James tied the knot on New Year's Eve 2023, ushering in the new year with a black-and-white wedding featuring trendy, modern elements. Set at La Valencia Hotel, which has earned its nickname "the Pink Lady of La Jolla" with iconic pink walls and Spanish architecture on site, the day focused on a more refined formality against the coastal ambience of the venue and its Mediterranean-style making for a lovely and elevated design. Bride Maddie adorned a gorgeous, sleek strapless number to say her vows, complimented by James' classic tux featuring a velvet jacket. With the expertise of KC Witkamp, Maddie also perfected her bridal beauty with a soft, natural glow in makeup and a gorgeous ponytail updo that was truly straight off of the red carpet. Our bride and groom explored the property for portraits, photographed with a romantic, cotemporary edge by Mirelle Carmichael. An elevated alfresco courtyard served as the ceremony locale, featuring Pacific Ocean views accented with minimalistic florals that brought whispers of whimsy.

The reception took things inside where dinner was served at long banquet tables and paired classic dinnerware with more modern signage featuring infusions of onyx. Custom paper goods paid homage to the New Year's Eve fete, reading "J+M NYE" and an adorable bar sign featured the couple's dog Lucci. Florist De Bloem Co + Flora Studio expanded on the vision, "Table scapes were adorned with black and white vases filled with whimsy white lisianthis, playa Blanca roses and fluffy white ranunculus. The bride loved babies breath so we incorporated bundles in each arrangement to give lots of textures along with dark greenery to give a bit of wildness to the tables. The long tables had clusters of black and glass bud vases in between large and lush arrangements. Tall white taper candles in black candlesticks were placed on each table to give romantic candlelight." The day's design was coordinated and planned by House of Love Planning, who expertly tied together a relaxed coastal atmosphere with traditional formality making for a delightful day of celebration that not only celebrated 2024, but our newlyweds and their lasting love.