Though Jacqueline Renau and Alexander Kokoszka lived in different states when they first met, they each knew they'd found someone special and made an effort to communicate daily. Before long, Jacqueline and Alexander both realized they had found their soulmate. “We made a pact that we just wanted to be together, and we’d promise to make it like that one day,” Jacqueline smiles. Six months later, Alexander moved to California to be with his beloved, and the lovebirds were engaged later that year.

The couple worked closely with Tessa Lyn Events throughout their year of wedding planning. “I’ve always been a hands-on person, so I did a lot of the planning along with Tessa, who just made my imaginations come true,” Jacqueline shares. They hosted their nuptials at a gorgeous ranch in Malibu, California. “I shared so many beautiful memories with my horse there. I just knew that one day, this would be where I would want to continue sharing beautiful memories,” the bride reminisces. “The best part was Alex fell in love with it too!” They also decided to postpone their religious vows until an upcoming trip. “We had a non-religious ceremony because we flew back to Chicago a month after the wedding to marry in a Polish church, the same church my parents got married in and [where] Alex’s dad completed grade school.”

While she desired an elegant theme for the big day, the bride also wanted to feature a specific shade of pink throughout the décor. “Whites and greens are always very elegant [but] I added a vintage, soft pink to the scheme because I love [that hue]. I based that color after rosé wine, because it’s my favorite wine to drink in the summer.” The couple also incorporated rose gold vases and votives for an extra touch of elegance. All 120 attendees loved the scenery, Chicago-style popcorn, frozen rosé, and homemade Cytrynówka, an alcoholic beverage traditionally served at Polish weddings. “Alex and I made this recipe ourselves from Polish vodka, honey, and lemon, and placed bottles with cute, personalized stickers on every guest table. It was a hit!”

Jacqueline also shares a tip she received during the planning process: “The best planning advice I received was to just have an open heart and mind, and to just have fun with it.”