Looking forward to taking photos of the first apartment Chelsey Walker would share with her beloved Michael Forsyth, to start getting ideas for its interior design, she was unaware of the surprise awaiting inside. As Chelsey entered the living room, she found it decorated with roses. Michael then got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. After she happily accepted, the couple toasted with Champagne in their new home.

Relying on the assistance of Hope Weis of Hope Weis Consulting, the couple orchestrated their wedding in eight months. Besides the importance of hiring a planner, the best advice the bride received during this time was to not “stress about the little things... better to laugh them off,” she shares.

Picturing a timeless palette of ivory and gold with purple accents, Chelsey and Michael were drawn to the aesthetics of a lavish hotel, as well as the ability to have the vow exchange, cocktail hour, and reception in different spaces of the venue. “The event planning staff was fantastic,” notes the bride.

For the ceremony, guests gathered in a luxurious ballroom enveloped in gilded damask wallpaper. Floating candles in cylinder vases and trumpet vases on stands brimming with white hydrangeas, roses, and orchids edged the aisle. In honor of Michael’s Scottish heritage, he and his groomsmen donned kilts in varied tartans and coordinating ties. The groom’s vest and and blazer also featured metal studs.

Bridesmaids in strapless plum dresses preceded Chelsey down the aisle. The joyous bride was clad in a flowing gown with crystals twinkling from lacy short sleeves and lace along the deep neckline. Her sash was embellished with pearlescent flowery details and rhinestones, and a veil was pinned to her curled coiffure.

Floral designs in a vivid purple palette at the cocktail hour offered a visual departure from the classic ceremony. Loved ones also whet their appetites for the sit-down dinner with a cornucopia of selections including sushi, empanadas, quesadillas, bacon-wrapped dates, and seared sesame-crusted ahi tuna.

In contrast to reception centerpieces, the escort card table was adorned with a tall arrangement of fuchsia orchids, amethyst hydrangeas, and violet lisianthus. Inside, sheer draping and golden uplighting lent a sense of warmth to the ballroom. Tables were swathed in ivory linens topped with creamy bouquets, floating candles, and votives in gilded vessels. Alabaster orchids with the slightest blush centers punctuated place settings.

Much preparation went into the newlyweds’ inaugural spin on the dance floor as husband and wife to Ellie Goulding’s rendition of “Your Song” by Elton John. In fact, one of the surprising aspects of wedding planning was “the amount of lesson required for the first dance,” admits the smiling bride.

Throughout their big day, the happy couple focused on enjoying every moment with their family and friends.