As purveyors of the written word, we love a little literal theming when it comes to chatting about weddings, so when an orange-filled Orange County wedding comes along, we most certainly say, “Yes!”
Growing up in Orange County, Klarrisse & Patrick wanted a local celebration for their family & friends, showing off the best of their humble hometown. The couple transported their guests to a citrus oasis by transforming Lido House into their little orange grove with help from expert planners A Good Affair.
Tangerines, kumquats, and the humble orange & likely filled the bright white wedding space in various ways. Little citrus decorated the cake while adorable orange place cards escorted guests to their seats. We can only imagine how zestily beautiful this wedding day smelled!
Our Love Story
It was a Tinderella story! Patrick and I were lucky to find each other on the app and spent weeks texting before finally meeting in person. Our first time meeting was like having three dates in one! We went to dinner at Sonoma Wine Garden in Santa Monica, CA, then went to Griffith Park, and finally ended the night at LACMA. We instantly connected and still talked about how fun our first date was.
Four years later, on our first date anniversary, Patrick proposed under a giant Christmas tree in Newport Beach. I was so emotional I didn’t even remember saying yes!
The Location & Style
Patrick and I grew up in Orange County, CA, and knew we wanted to have the wedding locally, surrounded by close family and friends. I always envisioned being married in an orange grove, and we trusted our planner, Victoria, from A Good Affair, to help bring that vision to life. We loved the idea of lush greenery, candles, and citrus fruit accents. We wanted everything to look elegant and timeless as well.
The Photography
We loved Brett Hickman’s photography style and his bright yet soft photos. We loved that his style also captured a lot of authentic emotion. His work reflected what we wanted in our wedding, showing elegance and freshness with all the greenery.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was at St. John Neumann Church and was very intimate. We had chosen not to do a first look, and so when Patrick and I saw each other for the first time when I was walking down the aisle, it was very emotional. We loved having a traditional ceremony with a choir. It was a wonderful moment saying our vows and commitment in front of all our family and friends.
Special Details
Regarding decor, my favorite was how A Good Affair did an excellent job with the escort card table. They utilized oranges and wrote guests’ names on the green leaves. It was one of the most beautiful escort tables I have ever seen.
The Reception Decor
Our reception was at Lido House, a fantastic venue that A Good Affair brought to life with its decor. There was lush greenery everywhere, from the walls to the dining tables. I loved how the team had incorporated pops of citrus everywhere, and I felt that it indeed did look like an orange grove!
The guest experience was significant to Patrick and me, so having a live band was one of our best investments because it kept everyone dancing all night. Our black-and-white photo booth was a surprise hit as well. One of my favorite food moments was having late-night snacks of burgers and fries and an ice cream bar.
Advice to Other Couples
The wedding day will be a whirlwind from moving locations, greeting guests, photography, etc., but take the time during the big day to take a step back for just 1:1 breaks that are just you and your partner. Having little leaves allowed us to reflect and appreciate everything we worked so hard to plan!
Favorite Moments
Another fun moment was our first dance. Patrick and I took lessons and surprised guests by dancing to the song ‘You and I’ by Michael Buble. We were nervous doing moves like drops and lifts, but we pulled it off!
The Honeymoon
We went to Japan for our honeymoon right after the wedding. Exploring and eating our way to Tokyo and Kyoto for two weeks was fun.
