A seaside location, a meaningful ceremony, and a dazzling theme were the three main components that Lindsay Turnour and Nathan Wilson agreed were must-haves for their wedding. Finding a beautiful beachfront venue in San Diego where they reside was easy enough to accomplish, so Lindsay and Nathan were able to focus most of their energies on personalizing the ceremony and incorporating sparkling crystal elements into their décor.

Dramatic ceremony seating provided rich visual impact and immediately set the outdoor event apart from any standard expectations. Guests’ chairs encircled a stage swathed in deep red fabric, while glossy white pedestals displayed vases of ivory flowers at the end of each aisle. A towering arch decorated with fresh white roses and strung with glittering jewels completed the extraordinary backdrop for a service tailored specifically to the bride and groom. Following a customized vow exchange, “Nathan and I chose to do a sand ceremony,” Lindsay shares, a ritual in which various colors of sand are poured into a single “unity” container, symbolizing two people coming together as one. A romantic dove release signaled the conclusion of the wedding service. “All of our special elements turned out great!” says the bride of the customized components.

The sparkle factor for the couple’s event began with crystal-embellished wedding invitations, and was threaded throughout the details that followed. Glittering stones accentuated alternating reception centerpieces featuring calla or Casablanca lilies, while smaller crystals adorned the table menus, seating cards, and table cards bearing names associated with Nathan’s motorcross hobby. Black satin tablecloths were complemented by faceted diamond-shaped paperweights set at each individual place setting for guests to take home as favors. Even the couple’s five-tiered wedding cake was crowned with a large rhinestone topper and featured a rhinestone buckle on the decorative ribbon. Crimson ballroom lighting that highlighted the intricate detail of the dramatic tablescapes provided the finishing touch.

The couple’s custom dance floor was put to excellent use, and Lindsay and Nathan were particularly proud of their choice in entertainment. “I would have to say that the most unique feature of our wedding was our band,” Lindsay asserts despite all of the attention that went into the ceremony and décor. “The dance floor was packed the entire night!” The 20-piece ensemble included a baby grand piano and fabulous dancers that passed out masks, boas, and tambourines to engage all of the guests and raise the energy quotient in the room. “[They] set an all-time standard,” affirms the groom, “and their class and professionalism was nothing less than perfect.” The couple’s wish for a dazzling, heartfelt, personalized event was fulfilled in every way, and their guests came away with memories that will last a lifetime.