Daisy & Justin - Laguna Beach, CA

Daisy and Justin met during college at UC, Berkeley (Go Bears!) and after years of dating and living in all parts of the country they finally got married at the beautiful Montage Laguna Beach.

For their Save the Date, the couple poked fun at how much they lived and moved around the world before choosing Laguna Beach as their wedding destination.

Their beautiful wedding invitations were designed by Minna Designs. We sent her a few pieces of Edwardian vintage jewelry as inspiration (below) and gave her the adjectives: Edwardian Era, bling, purple, silver and look what she came up with!

I used this camera phone picture in a previous post on Pretty Postage but just want to stress again how important all your postal accessories are to a perfect invitation set!

The groom gifted his groomsmen awesome cuff links at the rehearsal dinner the night before.

HELPFUL TIP: We promptly recollected them and told them we'd hang on to them until the wedding. Not that we didn't trust the groomsmen to not lose or forget to bring them...we just were taking no risks :). It's sometimes a good idea to have them under safe keeping!

A large part in why the couple chose to marry in Laguna Beach was so that it would be driving distance from the bride's family's home in Orange County. It is a Taiwanese tradition that the groom must pass several tests to earn his bride. Like he must...

Answer questions and puzzles correctly

Provide monetary gifts for the bridesmaids who guard the front door

conquer obstacle courses (and groomsmen need to help)


Sing on demand (hilarious the only song they all knew the lyrics to was Happy Birthday!)

Perform a dance routine (believe this one is loosely based off a Beyonce music video)

Obviously today the tradition is more lighthearted and in good humor but the groom nonetheless must prove himself to deserve his bride.

Daisy awaits in her childhood room for the husband she dreamed of as a little girl.

He passes all the tests! Whew!

They receive blessings and bow in respect of their elders

And pour and serve tea to each set of parents as part of the traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Also as part of tradition the Aunt of the Bride hid a little something in the wedding night room of the bride and couple. Shhh!

The blue sky and water were a great part of our color story :)

Instead of a guest book, guests signed this beautiful chinese cloth.

Square Root Designs out of Irvine, CA did an amazing job creating the bride's vision to life!

HELPFUL TIP: At the rehearsal have the guys determine if they prefer doing hands forward or hands back so that they look more uniform during the ceremony.

I loved the softness and drama of the bride's dress!

These California sunset pictures are making this Cali girl miss home!

BORROW THIS IDEA: The escort card jacket panel is also a great idea when there is no place to put the escort cards where they won't get blown away by the ocean breeze.


HELPFUL TIP: If you have the space in your reception area, create a small lounge area by the dance floor and bar. Especially if you have a very social group who will want to mix, mingle and catch up this is a great place for them to do so while staying near the epicenter of the party and not retreating back to their tables.

Their ballroom was sexy and sweet all at once.

Menu cards were designed in the style of their invitations and really rooted the table decor with old-world elegance.

Later in the evening the bride changed into a reception dress which seemed like it was made for her! Again sexy and sweet :)

Daisy and Justin have moved again from Denver to San Francisco. We'll check in on them every so often to see where the road takes them next :)!

{wedding photos courtesy of Roey Yohai}