E R I C A A N D M I K E
Erica and Mike’s breathtaking ceremony incorporated delicate florals, dazzling decor and twinkling fairy lights to replicate a stunning starry night sky. Their sparkling ceremony was a lavish affair which exuded a dreamy and magical vibe.
Long Distance Love…
Erica and Mike first met over the phone on different sides of the world. A mutual friend thought that the pair would be a good match and set it up. Erica and Mike quickly became two peas in a pod despite the fact that Erica was living in Korea while Mike was in New York. “We ended up speaking on the phone day and night for many months before we were finally able to meet in person,” shares Erica.
All Around The World…
It wasn’t long before Mike and Erica both knew it was love. Mike made the proposal extra special by flying out to Seoul, Korea so that Erica’s family and friends could celebrate with them. “Mike proposed with rose petals scattered on the floor and a blooming flower bouquet which was so like him – sweet and intimate,” shares Erica. After the bride-to-be said yes, the couple headed up to the 100th floor of the Lotte World Tower. Here, they celebrated their engagement with their nearest and dearest, overlooking the evening view of the sparkling city.
Sparkly Celebration…
After their lavish proposal party, the couple began to plan out the details of their perfect wedding day. “I knew I wanted the day to be glittery, shiny, full of sparkles and exude a special nighttime glow,” says Erica of her wedding vision, which was brought to life by LLG Events. The pair settled on a colour scheme of grey and gold to encapsulate a modern, elegant and classy feel.
Ocean View Venue…
The luxurious ceremony was held in the Rotunda at Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California. Erica and Mike had been inspired by the beautiful ocean views and the breathtaking Italian architecture of the venue. “We wanted a venue that really caught our eye and even better, Pelican Hill caught our hearts,” says Erica.
Dusted In Glitter…
The bride and groom chose not to have any bridesmaids or groomsmen on the big day and Erica’s dress was so wide that she had to walk herself down the aisle! After trying on 80 dresses, Erica fell in love with a wedding gown that was totally fit for a princess. The stunning Galia Lahav gown featured a showstopping 8-foot wide train, crystal embroidery and embellished gold leaves and vines. “Every little girl dreams of wearing a big, long gown on their wedding day and that’s exactly what this was!” says Erica. The dazzling gown was also dusted with glitter powder which tied in with the magical glow and sparkling theme of the day. Erica’s bridal look was complemented by a delicate bouquet of romantic white roses.
Mirror, Mirror…
The ceremony was photographed by Lost In Love Photography who perfectly captured the natural and candid moments of the day. The magical and sparkling atmosphere of the day was accentuated by the unique mirrored aisle at the ceremony! “The mirrored aisle was an incredible design element on the big day,” says Erica, “The reflection of the flowers and the blue sky made me feel like I was floating on water!” Erica walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of ‘Beauty And The Beast’ which connected to her childhood love for Belle, when she would dream of one day living her own fairytale.
A Vision Of Stars…
The reception was also held at Pelican Hill on a secluded patio behind the Rotunda space. The reception venue was adorned with baby’s breath blooms, golden chairs and plenty of twinkling fairy lights to replicate the sparkling night sky. Mike and Erica’s guests were also treated to an extravagant white flower wall so that they could take fun, floral-filled pictures all night long!
Golden Favours…
The newlyweds wanted to incorporate an Arabian theme into the reception to pay tribute to Mike’s heritage. The couple decided to gift their guests with golden Arabic favour boxes. The boxes held two truffle chocolates inside, one made with tahini and one a coffee flavour, which had been made by Mike’s uncle. “My hope was that the guests would take the golden boxes home and use it to store their jewellery or other small items in, and remember our special celebration of love for a long time,” says Erica.
Picture Perfect Dessert…
The wedding cake also added a touch of elegance to the magnificent reception! The cake boasted a simple and elegant design and incorporated the same flowers that adorned the reception venue. “It was a delicious combination of butter sponge and strawberry which everyone loved so much, there weren’t any leftovers!” shares Erica.
Dream Come True…
Erica and Mike’s advice to future brides and grooms is to enjoy the important aspects of the day and to not worry about the little things! “Listen to your heart and remember how happy and lucky you are on your wedding day because nothing else really matters”, says Erica, “Not the way the napkins are folded or the size of your flowers”. Erica’s sentiment from her big day is that as long as your beloved is next to you, everything will be a dream no matter what!
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Photography: Lost In Love Photography / Event Planner: LLG Events / Venue, Catering And Cake: Pelican Hill Resort / Videography: Moon And Back / Bridal Gown: Galia Lahav via Bridal Reflections / Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair Stylist And Makeup Artist: Kelly Zhang Studio / Floral Design, Linens And Furniture Rental: Celio’s Design / Groom’s Attire: Alton Lane / Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo / DJ: DJ Karam / Entertainment: West Coast Music / Flower Wall: OC Flower Walls / Lighting And Draping: Amber Event Production / Wedding Favours: Fusion Gourmet Food / Stationery: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy / Photobooth: Hashtag Photobooth / Bridal Robe: Le Rose