It’s not every day that someone is introduced to Jennifer Shively as “the proprietor of dawn-to-dusk liquor,” but then, she had never met Antonio Guade. “We met at a mutual friend’s house during a boxing-match viewing party in Hermosa Beach, California,” explains Jennifer. “He and I didn’t speak until a group of us decided to walk to the pier several hours later. We spent the night dancing at a local establishment and the rest is history!”

A little over three years into their courtship, Antonio got down on bended knee to the tune of “Marry You” by Bruno Mars on the rooftop deck of a close friend's home. “I was viewing a scene straight from a romantic movie set: candles, flowers, Champagne, wine, cake, photos of the two of us, a photographer, and large heart crafted from rose petals,” shares Jennifer. After a month of basking in the glow of their engagement, the bride- and groom-to-be began the 11-month planning process by hiring expert planner Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events. “I trusted her 100%!” Jennifer affirms. 

Luckily, the pair received many valuable pieces of wisdom from those around them regarding the organization of their big day. “The best advice I got was not to second guess any decision and to stay calmed, relaxed, and to really enjoy,” the bride notes. After selecting a venue that embodied “the best that Southern California had to offer,” explains Jennifer, the duo set about designing their nuptials with Tessa’s professional guidance. The team created an idyllic ceremony site on the property atop a bluff with a scenic view of the Pacific Ocean. Simple white chairs faced a wooden structure featuring flowing sheer fabrics that acted as the altar. The space was accented with understated clusters of ivory blooms. “I wrote our entire wedding ceremony while on vacation in France and Italy,” reveals the bride.

Jennifer stunned guests in a chic, fitted gown with lace detailing around the neckline and capped sleeves. Antonio looked dashing in a deep navy tuxedo and a snowy boutonniere that complemented his beloved’s bouquet. Following their short-and-sweet vow exchange, friends and family enjoyed an outdoor cocktail hour featuring refreshing Champagne with their choice of delectable berries – kept in containers made of ice. At 6:30 p.m., attendees retreated into the venue’s indoor event space and found their seats for dinner at long and round tables showcasing silver linens. Each tablescape included arrangements of vibrant florals, contrasting the featured blooms in the ceremony. “The inspiration for our wedding style came from my love of architecture, interior design, and contemporary spaces – we wanted the décor to be clean and simple, yet leave a dramatic impression on our family and friends,” says Jennifer. 

In hindsight, both bride and groom found the day to be the perfect entrance into married life, down to the smallest instances. “Antonio feels that his most memorable moment was when my father walked me down the aisle and gave me away. He recalls that my dad was emotional, and to this day, says it’s the most meaningful and loving embrace he’s ever had with him,” beams Jennifer.