Welcome to the whimsical and colorful wedding of Carmen-Hay! Soulie Love was the inspiration and vision for their special day, which was woven throughout every detail, from the invites to the larger-than-life neon sign and floral wall. This couple’s love story is one of a kind, and their wedding day perfectly encapsulated that.
The Planning:
Design/Vibe/Vision: The vision for Carmen-Hay’s wedding day was all about whimsical wildflowers and happy, cozy vibes. The design heavily focused on flowers, including wildflowers of all colors and leaning into a garden feel. The colors ranged from pinks, yellow, lavender, and oranges, making the florals delicate yet powerful, artistic yet perfectly placed. The remainder of the design elements were very neutral and natural, with a focus on different textures within the neutrals.
Proposal Story: Carmen-Hay planned their proposal together, with discussions about getting married early on in their relationship. They worked with Matthew Kaufman at JK Diamond & Co to hand-select the actual diamond that would be used for each other’s ring. They exchanged their rings at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, and ended up proposing to each other in their hotel room, way more them!
The Fashion:
Wedding Gown: Jesse wore a Galvan London white suit with rainbow Christian Louboutin heels for the rehearsal dinner. Maddy wore a Tadashi Shoji dress with Rime Arodaky heels. For the wedding, Jesse wore a LIHI HOD gown from NWLA Bridal, and Maddy wore a Willowby by Watters gown from BHLDN. Both brides changed into Kurt Geiger Rainbow sneakers for the night of dancing.
Jewelry: All wedding jewelry was custom-made by the incredible JK Diamond & Co in Santa Monica. Matthew Kaufman of JK Diamond & Co worked with Maddy and Jesse on their engagement rings, wedding bands, wedding earrings, and gifts for their families.
Bridesmaid Dresses: The bridesmaid dresses were Alice + Olivia.
Groomsmen Attire: The groomsman attire was Klein Epstein Parker.
The Details:
Food & Drink: The bar was one of the favorite design elements, with specialty drinks that all had special meanings to the couple served in clear glassware by Theoni Collection. The rainbow glassware was also a standout displayed on the back bar.
Florals & Decor: The flowers were beyond words, with Dawn and her team exceeding Carmen-Hay’s wildest dreams. The bar was another favorite detail, with Nicole’s vision coming to life with Dawn’s gorgeous and whimsical flowers paired with Kelly’s signage, a rainbow array of glasses, custom napkins with their puppy Winnie, and a clear view of the beautiful Malibu mountains.
Wedding Cake: The wedding cake was made by Loria Stern, using her signature pressed edible flowers. Claudine’s Bakery provided additional desserts. The Ice Cream Sandwich bar by Chunk n Chip was a big hit of the night.
Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs: The ceremony music was live acoustic or “simply the best” performed by Jesse’s former middle school student. The first dance was “My Girl,” and the last song was “Jesse’s Girl.”
Special Details:
Stationery & Signage: The stationary & signage held a strong story from invitations, all the way to final details the day of. Signage on the wedding day tied into the garden theme, and the seating chart had a 360 feel, with levels created with moss, filled with flowers and individual plant markers with the guests names.
Rehearsal Dinner & Day After Brunch: The couple rented out Elephante in Santa Monica for their rehearsal dinner. Brunch the day after was held at The Rose in Venice where the brides wore matching Onia white terry cloth sets with Nike Air Force sneakers customized with their wedding date. Welcome Bags: Jesse and Maddy curated Farmers Market-themed welcome bags to give their guests a glimpse into a typical Carmen-Hay weekend shopping at Marina del Rey Farmers Market on Saturdays and Brentwood Farmers Market on Sundays.
Family: Jesse’s father was the officiant for the wedding ceremony, and Jesse’s mom changed into a pride t-shirt while delivering her speech to the brides and all of their guests.
Neon Sign: The couple had a custom neon sign made reading their self-coined term ‘Soulie Love,’ which was a fun photo app for guests. The sign now hangs in the couple’s apartment!
Overall Love Story: Carmen-Hay’s love story began in 2018 as they were both training to become yoga instructors at CorePower Yoga in Boston, MA. They became “omies” on day one, not knowing that they would be each other’s support people for life. They were friends for about two years before their relationship turned from friendship to romance during the pandemic when they were 3,000 miles apart. They started dating before they had even shared a kiss, and they just knew that they would be together forever. Their love story grew evenstronger as they navigated the challenges of distance and quarantine, and they eventually moved in together in Los Angeles. From there, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure, with their adorable dog Winnie by their side. Their wedding day was a celebration of their love and the journey they’ve been on together, surrounded by their closest family and friends.
In conclusion, Carmen-Hay’s wedding day was a beautiful representation of their unique love story, with every detail thoughtfully curated to reflect their personalities and relationship. From the whimsical wildflowers to the rainbow glassware and custom-made jewelry, every element came together to create a truly magical day that will be remembered for years to come.
