She stood contrapossto, with her bouquet of orchids dangling from her manicured fingers. Carissa looked from east to west and smiled so brightly the sun looked away from her soul’s reflection. She turned to Brian and said, This is everything I dreamed of…and more! Carissa has been planning her wedding for the past twenty years and waited for the perfect man for with whom to recess the aisle. Fortunately, she found her soul mate a few years ago.
Carissa saw Brian in a picture. He lived states away. He didn’t know her. He didn’t know her last name. But Carissa, after looking into his blue eyes, knew something was special about him. So she put her mind to making him fall in love with her and if there’s something to be known about Carissa, it’s that she’s a girl who never hears NO. They met, they fell in love, and they planned to be married.
This is where the story should end. But it doesn’t.
Carissa is magnetic, charming, and vivacious. Brian is thoughtful, caring, and kind. She’s the globe spinning a million miles a second, and he’s her axis, keeping her life and dreams in line. While Carissa is a beautiful person in her own right, Brian makes her better. And she him. They work in unison and their love is warm, personable, and enviable, making those around them smile so brightly the sun must look away from their souls’ reflections.
Carissa and Brian, you’re my friends, my peers, and my personal fan club, believing in my work far before I did. Words can’t begin to express my appreciation for allowing JD and me to chronicle the day you made forever a reality. When you stated your vows, I cried along with you because I felt them in a part of my heart as well. You’re both destined for amazing things and I can’t wait to catch up when you return from your honeymoon! I hope Bora Bora is better than you imagined and you fall more in love on the sandy beaches against the colored sunsets. Much Love…J*
Carissa and I spoke about what type of shoes she wanted to wear on her wedding day. A few months ago, I received an email stating that “we” found “our” shoes, complete with sentences ending in multiple exclamation points. I love when my brides incorporate me in their happiness…it makes me feel so blessed. And here they are…Carissa's Jimmy Choo dream in sole formation…
Carissa customized her Nicole Miller dress to make it unique and completely her own!
The bride looking beautiful with help from Trina Duarte and Cathryn Van Breene of the The Studio Agency
While Carissa was downstairs getting ready, JD captured the following two images of Brian…
…and the First Look! Because Carissa is a wedding professional, she knows how important seeing each other before the ceremony is for wedding photos and the best layout of the day…
Carissa shows her wedding attire as her family looks on…
I told Carissa she was crazy when she told me she was designing the wedding, as well as all the floral arrangements. But she's such a perfectionist, she wanted to be in control of everything and it truly paid off!
The wedding and location was held at the Bohm Residence in Malibu and the view of the Pacific Coast was unbelievable!
Carissa designed a South Beach lounge feel to the wedding and reception, so Town and Country Event Rentals was on hand to offer their furniture and Fabian Gracian of Modern Image Productions designed the beautiful cabanas, lounge elements, and lighting…
In lieu of a traditional guest book, Carissa and Brian provided postcards for guests to complete with a special message and hang on a tree. As a gift from a wedding guest, they'll receive a new post card every week of their marriage…so cute!
More beautiful details as designed by Carissa and her awesome friend and publicist, Leila of Be Inspired
The First Dance…
To see more of their beautiful wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
And many special thanks for making this wedding so enjoyable and perfect must go to:
*Brooke and Chris Bohm for their beautiful home.
*Urban Palate Catering for the delicious food!
*Wild Flower Linens
*Amy at Papertape Films for her awesome videography skills!
*Mimio Papers for the invitations
*Amy at Vanilla Bake Shop for the amazing wedding cake!
*Natalie at the The Dotted Apron for the BEST dessert bar. Ever!
