Nicole and Rocco are high school sweethearts that have been together for over 8 years. Everyone pause and go “awwwwww!”
Busy with their careers and both of their master’s program, they contacted me at the beginning of their engagement and we went through the entire process together: venue scouts, budget snags, vendor decisions, decor, design, and details, details, details! Thankfully, not only are Rocco and Nicole warm and kind people, but both of their mothers are gracious and lovely women as well. We had a great time over a period of about 15 months.
Nicole & Rocco chose the gorgeous Athenaeum at Caltech for their Italian/Old World inspired wedding and reception to be held. They had a Catholic style ceremony officiated by Father Mike Javor, a Priest with the Good Shepherd Church. Nicole wore a Pronovias dress and was escorted down the aisle by both her mother and father.
Ceremony and cocktail hour music was provided by Nicole’s father’s favorite Jazz band Elements Revolution. Elements played an instrumental version of “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder for the family and bridal party processional, “The Bridal Chorus” by Wagner for Nicole, and an incredible version of Etta James’ “At Last” for their processional. The soloist nailed that song!
Elements Revolution entertained the almost 200 guests during the cocktail hour that was held inside in the lounge.
The reception was held out doors and guests sat at a mixture of round and long feasting tables covered with a plum colored taffeta linen from La Tavola Linen. The floral, done by the incredible Holly Flora, incorporated grapes, pears, plums, and crab apples into the mauve and sepia colored peonies, garden roses, herbs, geranium, lisianthus, ranunculus, and vines trailing out of the vintage silver and brass containers. The cake by A Sweet Design was decorated with similar flowers and sugared fruit to tie in with the fruit in the centerpieces.
As the sun went down, the uplights against the columns and the lavender ironwork patterns projected onto the walls made everything glow beautifully. After Nicole danced to “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle with her dad, Rocco’s dad Tony sang ” Portrait of my love” by Steve Lawrence as Rocco and his mom danced together. The rest of the evening was a full on dance party orchestrated by DJ Michael Antonia of The Flashdance.
The gorgeous photos were captured by Carolyn Troadec of Troadec Photography and videography by Video Artistry.
Vendor Team
The Athenaeum at Cal Tech – Venue
Father Mike Javor – Church of the Good Shepherd
Carolyn Troadec – Troadec Photography
Michael Antonia – The Flashdance
Holly Flora – Florist
Video Artistry – Videography
Elements Revolution – Ceremony & cocktail music
A Sweet Design – Wedding Cake
Donna Flores – Candy Bouquet
Fiore Beauty – Bridal Makeup
Jaclyn Gonzales – Bridal Hair
Aspect Lighting – Reception lighting
La Tavola – Linens
The Langham – Wedding night accommodations
And a special thank you to my associate Krista and my interns Sacha, Neusha, and Nira. I could not have done it without you!
