A few days before her birthday, Paula Beerman was taken on a hot-air balloon ride by Ted Adams. She thought it was just a fun way to start the weekend festivities, until she saw someone on the ground holding up a sign that read: “Paula, will you marry me?” Ted then got down on one knee and proposed with a gorgeous engagement ring.

Since the couple lives in the La Jolla area, they looked for a venue that was close to home. To ensure the comfort of their out-of-town guests, Ted and Paula reserved rooms for them at two hotels that were within walking distance of the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and after-party locations. They chose a color palette of navy blue and Tiffany blue for the celebration – the former being the groom’s favorite color and the latter because the bride is a fan of gifts from the jeweler.

As soon as they visited the historical La Jolla Woman’s Club, they knew that it was where they wanted to get married. The alfresco vow exchange was set in one of its gardens. Bridesmaids wearing short, dark blue lace dresses and a pair of flower girls in satin aqua frocks and baby’s breath halos led the way to the altar. Paula was beautiful in a delicate Claire Pettibone bridal gown with an embroidered illusion back. Her elegant coiffure was accented with a headpiece showcasing sparkling floral details. Like her attendants, she carried a creamy bouquet framed with curly willow. Paula joined her groom, who was handsomely attired in a charcoal suit with satin-lined lapels and a white tie, beneath a towering English oak tree.

Ted and Paula dedicated a special part of the service to the groom's 12-year-old son, Sam, to express their love for him and his significance in their marriage and family. “It was so beautiful, and we had many compliments from our guests,” the bride muses. “Some said it was the most beautiful ceremony they’ve ever attended.”

For the reception, Tiffany blue tablecloths and white floral arrangements composed of seasonal spring blossoms generated a serene atmosphere in the ballroom of the club. Inspired by a book about flowers Paula read during the planning process, she and her wedding coordinator selected 15 varietals and their significance to identify dinner tables. Reflecting Ted’s profession as a comic book publisher, each guest found a rather unique wedding favor beneath his or her navy napkin – a limited-edition Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland comic book with a variant cover created by the bride and groom’s good friend and artist, Gabriel Rodriguez.

In memory of Paula’s maternal grandmother, who had collected fine porcelain figurines, the four-layer chiffon cake with local strawberry jam and a light cream filling was crowned with a beautiful Lladrό piece titled “Everlasting Love.” Similarly, family photos and newspaper articles commemorating Ted's late father, former Oregon Senate President Brady Adams, were displayed on a table in his honor.

For the newlyweds, the speeches given by the best man, maid of honor, and father of the bride will be unforgettable. “Afterward, Sam got up and gave a wonderful toast to us, completely unexpected, off the cuff, and from the heart. It was the best start to our marriage,” affirms Paula.