Chris & Ainjil's wedding
August 6, 2009

Behind Chris & Ainjil’s tattooed, rocker exteriors are utter romantics. They of course would never admit this out loud, but a peek into the files of ‘Ainjil’s favorite things’ would reveal a love of the French countryside, dried lavender, antique chandeliers, a home filled with imported scented candles, and loads of overstuffed lacy pillow shams. A simple question of how they met would reveal a soft glint in each of their eyes bringing them back to the moment- a truly romantic tale- she a singer in a band, he recording her album.
The wedding design was inspired by their love story, and their love of beautiful things. It would be elegant without being fussy, and it would transport guests to another time and place. Vintage touches, a bit of mismatched charm, comforting foods and music dancing on the air- all night long.
The photos below are all from my dear, dear friend Jose Villa. Jose's photos are always so pure- his film captures such beauty and emotion. His work is timeless, elegant, dreamlike. Jose- a million and one thanks for everything that you do!!



























































Some details...
Guests were greeted upon arrival with a “make-your-own” champagne cocktail station, where they could serve themselves with fancy little spoons to create little cocktails of their choice before heading to their seats for the ceremony. Along the way, we displayed vintage umbrellas for guests to help themselves to and use for shade.
A single, massive chandelier hung from the Oak under which Ainjil & Chris exchanged vows and tiny muslin sacks containing dried flower buds were used for tossing as they came back up the aisle.
Cocktail hour was full of merriment- we created little vignettes using different lawn games- an antique croquet set in one corner, horseshoes in another, vintage badminton set in another. The space was dotted with ruffley vintage pagoda style umbrellas- one under which sat a silhouette artist who created little masterpieces with his hands as guests looked on in awe.
An antique riddling rack stood alone displaying guests’ escort tags, and a framed record of ‘Chris & Ainjil’s song’ placed atop stacks of sheet music was used for signing.
Guests moved inside an old barn for dinner, where more chandeliers twinkled from the rafters. The enormous, open barn presented challenges with Chris & Ainjil’s intimate group, so we sectioned off with fabric and ribbon (we created a 24’ wide wall made entirely of ribbon- in varying shades of antique, muted tones) to create different spaces. The ribbon wall was an incredible labor of love, but the effect was pure whimsy and elegance!!
The bride has a serious sweet tooth, so a gorgeous dessert display was in order. (Guests were delighted to nibble throughout the evening, and take home in bags at the end of the night.)
On the table tops, loose creamy blooms filled collected silver pieces, while mismatched china made for unexpected dinner plates. We stamped table numbers on burlap bags which the dinner wine was placed inside of, and wrapped it loosely with antique velvet and lace ribbons.
At the end of the night, the couple danced to their first dance, “performed” by Jim Reeves. (A large screen was placed behind the dance floor, and a black-and-white projection of Jim Reeves singing created the effect of him serenading them at that moment..) It was a truly magical sight!
Ainjil & Chris- thank you so much for allowing me to take part in your amazing planning process and absolutely incredible day. Thank you for trusting my crazy ideas and for allowing me to be a part of your lives for the past year and a half!! I already miss our wine and cheese nights, our afternoon brunches and our back and forth texting sessions on Bachelorette nights!! (hehe..) I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you and to call you friends. :)
xoxo

Thanks also to-
Anneke & Miki- my girls who make everything that you see possible!!
SBBBQ for the incredible meal and always warm and friendly faces
Camilla Svensson Burns for the yummy florals
Bella Vista for the gauzey fabric draping and elegant chandeliers
Anthony Ybarra- my all time favorite guitarist- EVER
DJ Nahchey for the great tunes
Saral Burdette for the most personal, beautiful ceremonies you have ever witnessed
TEAM for the gorgeous hair and makeup

And saving the best for last-
Joel Serrato for cinematography that will make any grown man cry. (It's that good.) Where to begin with my love for Joel Serrato? His film blows me away every time. I could watch Chris & Ainjil's film over and over (and over) again...
Check it out!!

Untitled from joel serrato on Vimeo.

41 comments

41 Comments:

hello! i saw this wedding on jose villa's blog as well... may i ask at what venue this wedding took place?

By  Bethany, at August 7, 2009 at 11:13 AM  

Thanks, Bethany!
The wedding took place at the Crossroads Estate in Los Olivos. :)

By  {duet}, at August 7, 2009 at 11:19 AM  

Please...if anyone had crazy ideas it was me. I would have had a petting zoo, a ferris wheel, and a guy in a bunny suit if i could have! lol. So many thanks to you and your amazing team for such a smooth day!

XOXO

DIane...Ainjil....whatever....lol

By  Mrs. Bills, at August 7, 2009 at 1:22 PM  

so so beautiful Rebecca! I love your creativity. The ribbon wall is genius!

By  Jen, at August 7, 2009 at 3:37 PM  

I'm dying to know who made the bride's dress. Its a stunner!

By  Apt. #34, at August 9, 2009 at 9:39 PM  

Gorgeous!! And I love love love the idea of the games at the cocktail hour...any idea where her shoes are from?

By  Sarah, at August 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM  

stunning!!!

By  Mara (The Wedding Cabaret), at August 10, 2009 at 2:20 PM  

this wedding is gorgeous! and where did they get those plates?! I love love love them and so want to do something like that for my reception!

By  Eric and Danielle, at August 10, 2009 at 4:06 PM  

Apt #34- thanks so much! the dress was by Badgley Mischka. Very light and comfy

Sarah- the shoes were Miu Miu. I saw them and went on a 2 month internet and store search until i ultimately found someone selling an unworn pair in my size on ebay. I swear i was ooooobbbbbbbbbbsessed with finding them!

By  Ainjil, at August 10, 2009 at 4:55 PM  

This is beautiful! You all did such a lovely job! As a DIY bride I've been scouring LA for rental chairs like the ones pictured- would you mind sharing who the rental company is?

thanks!

By  Anonymous, at August 10, 2009 at 6:38 PM  

perfection! every detail is perfect.

By  by JOS, at August 11, 2009 at 2:41 AM  

Weill Ainjil, your wedding may be over but it looks like youve passed on your shoe obsession...I need them...

Best of luck your mariage! Lots of love and happiness!

By  Sarah, at August 11, 2009 at 9:00 AM  

Ainjil...what a stunning an extremely inspirational wedding. I am getting married at Crossroads next month...such an amazing venue.

Where did you find your jewelry? It was beautiful..

By  Marlee, at August 11, 2009 at 9:35 AM  

These shoes are to die for and I love the mismatched plates!
-Kelley

By  Kelley at My Island Wedding, at August 12, 2009 at 8:11 AM  

Gorgeous work - as always!

By  Kathryn, at August 15, 2009 at 7:43 PM  

Everything looks amazing...the shoes were worth the search ...DIVINE!!
Emma xxx

By  Emma, at August 17, 2009 at 12:08 PM  

Rebecca - What an absolutely breathtaking wedding. I keep going back to look at the details again and again. You always astound me with your creativity! What a wonderful couple too!
Miss you!

By  Amber, at August 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM  

I would love love to find these shoes for my own 10/3/09 wedding - it's just over a month away and I am somewhat having a meltdown on the shoes! I've googled Miu Miu online and found next to NOTHING... any advice or tips from Rebecca or Ainjil? I realize this is a stab in the dark for me, but any help would be SO appreciated!! Thanks.

By  Erika, at August 19, 2009 at 9:17 AM  

Hey there Erika...unfortunately these shoes were sold out by miu miu in early 2008. i found them through persistence and sheer luck. basically i would check sites like ebay daily to just see if someone happens to post a pair. i believe the style is called "razo shine"

Good luck!!!

By  Ainjil, at August 19, 2009 at 12:01 PM  

omg, erika, me too. I can't find them anywhere!!

By  Sarah, at August 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM  

Marlee, so sorry i missed your question....lol pretty much everything was from a different place. engagement ring from tiffanys...bands from Eli's in downtown (see Raffi....amazing guy...beautiful custom jewelry and very resonable prices. have recommended him to all my friends) earrings were from yet another los angeles jeweler (forgot the name)

By  ainjil, at August 21, 2009 at 11:52 AM  

Where did you find those beautiful little favor bags with the hot air baloon on them?

By  Unknown, at August 25, 2009 at 12:21 PM  

Hi Jessica,
The muslin sacks came from "Save-on-Crafts.com" and I gocco'd the balloon illustration on them myself for a personalized touch. (The balloon was something incorporated throughout- an illustration by the bride which was used on the invitations, favor bags, etc.)

By  {duet}, at August 25, 2009 at 12:33 PM  

This is gorgeous! And you have a gorgeous blog! So glad I found it :)

PS. Do you know where those chairs are from?????

By  Crystal @ Plush Palate, at August 27, 2009 at 7:19 PM  

Stunning wedding! I absolutely love the bridesmaids dresses. Did you just give your bridesmaids an idea of colours to go with? I would love to know where they are from especially the blue and pink ones. Thanks so much for sharing!

By  Shelley, at August 27, 2009 at 7:33 PM  

Thanks for the tips, we are going to do something like that, but put a special blend of spices that you can add sour cream or cream cheese to to make a spicy dip. My fiance is from Mexico, so it fits right in! Thanks agian...

By  Unknown, at August 28, 2009 at 6:39 AM  

Where do you rent the long wooden tables??? They are so amazing, I have seen a lot of brides renting those at the Firestone Crossroads.

By  Kelly Kaufman, at August 29, 2009 at 4:32 PM  

This wedding is absolutely delightful!! I am 54 yrs old and married 25 years and if I could do it all over again I would want my day to be just like this!!! Amazing!

By  lala, at September 2, 2009 at 9:48 AM  

Just incredible, Rebecca! Truly inspiring in every way!

By  Kristin @ Petal and Thorn, at September 2, 2009 at 12:33 PM  

Where did you find those beautiful little favor bags with the hot air baloon on them? thanx for

By  gelinlik, at September 3, 2009 at 3:31 AM  

Where did you rent the bistro chairs?

By  Anonymous, at September 11, 2009 at 5:56 PM  

The chairs were rented through Classic Party Rentals. :)

By  {duet}, at September 11, 2009 at 11:27 PM  

Very unique way the couple and photographer put this together. Very inspiring

By  bridechic, at September 19, 2009 at 8:41 AM  

Wow... couldn't stay away after seeing photos of this wedding on Jose's site. As much as I love his photography, you know that behind every gorgeous detail and design there was someone's HARD work and creativity, because it didn't make itself ... It's people like you, that make us all starry eyed, dreamy and mooning over the beauty, and thinking life really DOES have a little bit of a fairy tale tucked inside somewhere, waiting for us to find it... But even as awesome as it must be to be the bride, it's you i want to be, making that once in a lifetime dream wedding come true for so many people...I think it would be the awesomest job EVER!! Someday I'm gonna do that too, and if you need an apprentice in the mean time, ring me up!! ;)
Thanks for sharing with us.
-Jayne

By  Jayne, at September 22, 2009 at 10:38 AM  

What a gorgeous couple...i absolutely love the bouquets!!

By  Geezees Custom Canvas Art, at September 24, 2009 at 8:41 AM  

Gorgeous! Love Everything!

By  Karen Hill, at September 30, 2009 at 5:15 PM  

Does anyone know what kind of car that is?

By  Christen Fleming, at February 1, 2010 at 6:13 AM  

I love the video,the song and all the fine details in this wedding.The dessert table with all the yummy cupcakes looks temptingly delicious and oh so yummy!Most of all,I think the bride's wedding gown and shoes are exquisitely beautiful!

By  April, at May 15, 2010 at 12:33 AM  

I just found Duet Weddings and I'm stunned. Everything you do is breathtaking! I can't stop looking through the archive...

By  Megan Blaine, at September 13, 2010 at 10:34 AM  

This wedding is absolutely stunning! I love, love, love everything about it. May I ask where you found those amazing floral plates? Thanks!

By  Unknown, at November 7, 2010 at 10:38 AM  

The brides dress is fantastic!

By  artdecodiamonds, at February 16, 2011 at 6:01 AM  

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