When Cydney Orear and Colm Cross first met at a pool party, they both felt immediately comfortable with one another. “I came back from Las Vegas telling everyone that I had met my future wife,” confirms Colm. “While they didn’t believe me at first, it soon became clear to everyone close to me that Cydney was very special and would be a part of my life forever.” Four years later while strolling together in a garden in Èze, a small town in the South of France, Colm got down on one knee and proposed. Of course, Cydney said yes.

Though the couple resides in Washington, DC, they set their sights on a spring wedding in Southern California, where the bride grew up. “My dad actually lives down the street from The Lodge [at Torrey Pines], and we have been going there as a family for nearly my whole life,” Cydney shares of their ceremony and reception site. “When we toured the hotel as a wedding venue, I knew it was meant to be. For Colm, the scenic background of Torrey Pines captured his heart immediately.”

With such a beautiful backdrop for their outdoor celebration, Cydney and Colm chose to incorporate a neutral color palette and showcase all-white flowers with soft greenery, as well as champagne and gold tones with some black accents throughout the décor. “I was drawn to a romantic and timeless feeling, with modern aspects sprinkled throughout,” muses the bride of her vision. “My biggest dream was to eat dinner outside under a canopy of lights, which we were so fortunate to carry out.”

On the day of the ceremony, 120 guests found their seats atop translucent chairs on either side of an aisle adorned with the pair’s monogram, which later became the dance floor. A string quartet set the romantic scene by performing a medley of modern songs – “à la Bridgerton,” describes the groom, who walked down the floral-lined aisle to a string rendition of “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. His bride was the epitome of elegance as she glided to the spot for the vow exchange to the melody of “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap in a beautiful beaded lace fit-and-flare gown featuring off-the-shoulder long flare sleeves and a sheer low back.

“[Our reception] was romantic and jaw-dropping, with one of the best San Diego sunsets in the background.”

Beneath a gorgeous arch embellished with hundreds of creamy blooms, a heartfelt ceremony was officiated by one of their dearest friends. “We were surrounded by our closest family and friends, including relatives who flew in from Ireland and Australia!” shares Cydney of the special audience. In what both Cydney and Colm cite as their favorite moment of the day, they exchanged personalized vows with one another. “Everyone, including us, was crying, and it was truly magical,” affirms the groom.

Loved ones then enjoyed an alfresco cocktail hour while the ceremony space was transformed for the dinner reception. After enjoying libations and hors d’oeuvres, attendees found their seating assignments on an acrylic seating chart arranged on a large white display decorated with bud vases filled with whimsical blossoms and illuminated with candlelight.

Guests were then seated at tables adorned with sparkling glassware that reflected the warm candlelight on tablescapes and the string lights suspended from the ebony structure overhead. While the vow exchange was his ultimate highlight, a close second for the groom was the couple’s grand entrance onto the Arroyo Terrace for their choreographed first dance before dinner to “Like Real People Do” by Hozier.

The newlyweds’ delightful sweetheart table, placed beneath the arbor from their vow exchange, provided a perfect view of their guests. The dance floor was framed by long modern tables decorated with towering candelabras and bud vases filled with ivory florals, and round tables on the outer perimeter of the space featured textured vanilla-toned linens, monochromatic arched table numbers, gold-rimmed charger plates and glassware, taupe taper candles housed in glass chimneys, gilt flatware, linen napkins tied with ribbon, and arrangements of all-white flower varieties including ranunculuses and garden roses. “It was romantic and jaw-dropping, with one of the best San Diego sunsets in the background,” says the bride.

After dinner, the couple started the party with a celebratory champagne tower and the celebration moved inside for desserts and dancing. Slices of a four-tiered wedding cake featuring four flavors – carrot cake, chocolate-chip cookie, hummingbird cake, and red velvet – were enjoyed by all, and dancing to the sounds of a DJ, who played an incredible mix of the duo’s favorite songs set to electronic beats, ensued until midnight. “It was the perfect day, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about it,” smiles Colm. The bride confirms: “Truly one of the best days of our lives!”

This real wedding was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

To order a copy of the Spring 2025 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings digital back issues available for purchase.

Some of the links included may be affiliate; however, everything we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. When you make a purchase, we may receive revenue. Thank you for your support!