If not for someone else’s wedding, Holly Dale and Robert Hackl may never have met. When her best friend married his, the two were paired together to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid and groomsman. They quickly felt a spark, and it wasn’t long until they developed a romantic relationship, with Holly even moving to Los Angeles so they could be closer to each other. 

After they spent a fall weekend in the mountains with friends, the lovebirds drove back to their home on Sunday morning. Robert had planned on doing a big proposal over the upcoming holidays, but “after that weekend he realized he just didn’t want to wait any longer,” Holly reveals. They went to church together and then Robert suggested they go to a local park to watch the sunset. In front of a lake featuring a modern art installation, Robert dropped to one knee and asked Holly to marry him. “I was 100% completely surprised, and of course said yes,” she shares. The newly affianced sweethearts then attended a concert together to celebrate. 

“Having a traditional church wedding was really important to us and our families,” the bride explains. They found the perfect choice in Santa Monica, which led the couple to the ideal reception venue. “We envisioned a classic, romantic celebration featuring soft lighting and a color palette of blush, shades of white, and gold,” Holly notes. “We also wanted to tie in as much of a California style as possible, which was easily achieved through choosing Casa Del Mar as well as ensuring we had cocktail hour outside on the patio during sunset, right on the ocean.” With the help of Tessa Lyn Events, the pair was able to bring their vision to life and have it captured by Laurie Bailey Photography.

The bride wore a stunning gown by Ines Di Santo from The White Dress as she walked down the aisle with her father. “It truly occurred to me in that moment how lucky we were to be able to get married in such a beautiful place surrounded by all the people we love,” Holly reflects. Following the pronouncement of husband and wife and the patio cocktail hour, guests entered the reception space filled with both low and high arrangements of anemones, calla lilies, dahlias, roses, hydrangeas, ranunculus blossoms, hypericum berries, dusty miller, and grey brunia berries. After spending some time on the dance floor, revelers were served slices of either vanilla or coconut cake. 

Advising future brides and grooms to remember why they are getting married during times of stress when planning, Holly affirms that the big day went as perfectly as she and Robert could have dreamed. “We really tried to come up with something we would have changed, but honestly we were so happy with how it turned out that there really isn’t anything that comes to mind.”