Weddings and Events
They both swiped right on a popular dating app called Tinder… and they wed happily ever after at Casa Romantica. Marlene and Devin’s twenty-first century love story began on a blind date at the Victorian, a hip tavern in Santa Monica. Their courtship took flight among the streets of Los Angeles, and it didn’t take them long to realize that they had found ‘the one’ in each other.
Devin proposed to Marlene in the intimate and familiar backyard of Marlene’s sister on the day before Valentine’s Day. Setting the scene for the ultimate surprise, he flew out Marlene’s entire family to take part in asking the big question – and for the party that followed.
Loving the warm summer months, they chose a July wedding date: 7/17/17. “With so many lucky number 7s, it seemed auspicious,” recalls Marlene. The pair wanted to be married by the beach and a good friend of Marlene’s had attended a wedding at Casa Romantica. They visited the cultural center and immediately fell in love with the property.
“Casa Romantica is the perfect place because the aesthetic, from the moment you walk in, is clean and [consistent] … beauty surrounds you at every turn. Then, to see the vast ocean as you walk out the back [to the Ocean Terrace], it is truly breathtaking,” says Marlene. “The best thing about Casa Romantica is its character, which sets it apart from every other venue we had looked at.”
Throughout the wedding planning process, Marlene and Devin made sure they remained true to their vision of a beautiful, chic wedding with simple decor that allowed Casa Romantica’s Spanish architecture and gardens to shine. They planned an intimate ceremony and romantic décor. One of their favorite ideas was to place wedding day photos of their parents and grandparents on the historical tables inside the Main Salon, as a symbol of enduring love.
They also shared their love of travel with a road map-themed check-in table, including a vintage atlas-turned guest book. Alongside the boundaries of the property, the couple pinned snapshots from their childhood and their courtship.
On their wedding day, Marlene and Devin prepared for the ceremony in Casa Romantica’s historic suites. They smiled broadly in their respective rooms as they opened small gifts that they had exchanged after their first look.
At just after 4:00 pm, Devin took his place in front of the crowd gathered on the Ocean Terrace for the ceremony. The processional music began, and he was captivated by the sight of Marlene walking down the aisle.
“As she emerged from the arches with her dad by her side, no words could express seeing my bride. As she got close, I just whispered, ‘so pretty,’” he recalls.
The bride wore a gossamer white gown designed by Galia Lahav, with her hair styled by Traci Garrett, makeup by Janice Wheeler, and flowers by Wildflower of San Clemente. The groom wore a suit and bowtie from Suitsupply, a watch by Hamilton, and monogrammed cuff links that were passed down to Devin from his grandfather.
The newlyweds held their reception in the Historic Courtyard for a dinner catered by Iva Lee’s and live music from southern California-based band The Lucky Devils. Along with cake, dessert included a tower of Sidecar Doughnuts.
“The day goes by so fast, so getting to re-experience the beauty of Casa Romantica and our wedding through our video and photos makes us fall love again with every moment. The name truly reflects all that Casa Romantica has to offer — simply romantic!” says Marlene.
Venue: @casaromanticasc
Coordination: @ivaleescatering
Photographer: @jasonburnsphotography
Videographer: @xposurefilms
Tux: @suitsupply
Watch: @hamiltonwatch
Dress: @galialahav
Makeup: @janicemakesfaces
Hair: @wisewoman_rising
Catering: @ivaleescatering
Rentals: @sigpartyrentals & @bakerparty
Limo: @lakeforestlimos
Flowers: @wildflowerofsc
Bakery: @sidecardoughnuts & @wholefoods
Live Band: @luckydevilsband
Calligraphy: @reachalana
