Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Real Weddings Wedding Styles Seasonal Weddings Spring Weddings This Bride's Floral Wedding Dress Foreshadowed the Flower- and Butterfly-Filled Reception to Come By Julie Vadnal Published on October 9, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Luna De Mare Photography Raina Silberstein and Salih ("Sal") Ukra first met in 2008 at Tea Garden in Los Angeles, a quaint café and garden where Raina, a fashion student at the time, would indulge in her love for tea and florals. Little did she know, she'd find her next great love there, too. "We had an unusual meet-cute: We collided into each other while Sal walked into the café and I walked out," Raina says. She and a friend began to make a point to visit the café once a week to work on school projects—and to see Sal, too. When their friends started dating, the couple connected at a mutual friend's party. They then shared a kiss while slipping out to move Sal's car. Eight years later on a vacation to Paris, Sal proposed after the two explored the Louvre and sipped—what else?—high tea. More than ten years after their first meeting, on April 27, 2019, the pair gathered with 70 guests to celebrate their love in a flower-filled celebration at an Ojai, California, private estate, which belongs to Sal's aunt and uncle. The muted color palette of pink, purple, white, green, and gold matched the romantic surroundings—and Raina's epic floral wedding dress. Of course, there was tea: The pair collected vintage tea cups and saucers from antique stores while traveling and added one to each place setting on the long dinner tables. At the end of the night, guests were encouraged to take theirs home so that they could always share in the couple's love story. 01 of 23 This Bud's For You Luna De Mare Photography Raina's maid of honor, Sarah Stimpson Matazzoni, designed the invitation suite to mimic both the graphic flowers on Raina's Monique Lhullier wedding dress and the day's garden venue. Sage green Paper Source envelopes and vintage stamps from Edelweiss Post finished the look. The Prettiest Floral Wedding Invitations 02 of 23 Garden Party Luna De Mare Photography Sal and Raina always envisioned tying the knot in a garden, and they knew the groom's aunt and uncle's ivy-covered Spanish style estate, which has lavender and rose gardens, in Ojai, California, would be just the place. 03 of 23 Fancy Feet Luna De Mare Photography The groom's big-day look included patent Florsheim shoes, a Tom Ford satin bow tie, and, after their vows, a XIV Karats gold band. On his lapel, he wore a boutonnière filled with sweet pea, jasmine vine, and other greenery. 04 of 23 Suited Up Luna De Mare Photography Sal wanted his big-day look to be "David Beckham approved," he says. Just 16 days before the wedding, he found his timeless ensemble: an Isaia black velvet tuxedo jacket, a Hugo Boss white tuxedo shirt, and Suit Supply tuxedo pants. He finished the look with a Rolex his great-aunt gave him for his 21st birthday. "She always believed in me and knew I would marry Raina," Sal says. "Wearing the watch was a sentimental way to include her with me on this special day." 05 of 23 Blooming Beauty Luna De Mare Photography Raina, a stylist, knew her Monique Lhullier wedding dress was the one when she saw it float down the runway at the Spring 2018 Haute Couture Show in Paris, so she contacted the designer to see it up close. "To finally view it in person was like a fairy tale," Raina says. "I never asked any questions, I never tried it on, and I never requested a second opinion from family or friends. I could not picture myself wearing anything else and I purchased my wedding gown right then and there." Colorful Wedding Dresses We Love 06 of 23 Flower Fresh Luna De Mare Photography The bride clutched a collection of blooms by The Loved Co. that contained lilacs, roses, ranuculus, sweet pea, frittilaria, silene, hellebores, and jasmine vine in light shades of pinks and purples. 25 Beautiful Purple Wedding Bouquets 07 of 23 Lovely Ladies Luna De Mare Photography Instead of asking her 'maids to wear one shade, Raina provided Pantone color swatches and let them choose their own floor-length dresses. The result? A pretty mix of gowns from A.L.C, Alice + Olivia, BHLDN, and Lulu's. 08 of 23 Dapper Dudes Luna De Mare Photography Sal asked his groomsmen to wear black suits with white shirts, and then he gifted them black ties by Banana Republic, white pocket squares from Ted Baker, and black floral socks from Paul Smith. 09 of 23 Tears of Joy Luna De Mare Photography The pair shared their first look under an ivy-covered arch on the estate. "I walked toward him from across the property; I embraced him from behind. As he turned around, tears of joy rolled down his face," Raina recalls. "I was overwhelmed with joy to see Raina. When I turned to face her for the first time, she looked so beautiful—I could no longer hold back the tears," Sal says. 10 of 23 A Blooming Guest Book Luna De Mare Photography In lieu of a traditional guest book, attendees wrote notes on cards and tied them to a vintage iron gate with ribbon. Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas That Aren't Actually Books 11 of 23 One Door Opens Luna De Mare Photography The ceremony took place on a lawn accentuated by a rustic wooden door backed by oak trees that framed valley views. Tiffany Meriwether of The Love Co. surrounded the door with lilacs, dogwood, delphinium, campanula, nerine, sweet peas, and greenery. 12 of 23 Bridal Path Luna De Mare Photography Raina walked through another vintage door as she entered the ceremony space while a jazz quartet played "Old Friends" by Juliana. The group was a homage to Raina's late father, who loved that style of music. 13 of 23 Ceremony Chuckles Luna De Mare Photography During the non-religious ceremony, officiated by Sal's uncle, the pair exchanged self-penned vows and shouted out to their parents and grandparents for providing examples of successful relationships. Before they shared their first kissed, they watered a tree sapling together, a symbol of the life they were about to build together. 25 Creative Wedding Rituals That Symbolize Unity 14 of 23 We Did It! Luna De Mare Photography After saying "I do," the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to "Soulful Strut" by Young Holt Unlimited. 15 of 23 Drink Up Luna De Mare Photography During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed their choice of a "Perfect Match Margarita," a "Madly In Love Mojito," lavender lemonade, wine, beer, Champagne, and soda. 16 of 23 Take Your Seats Luna De Mare Photography Sarah Stimpson Matazzoni and Gold Image Printing worked together to create the duo's seating chart, which featured florals reminiscent of those on the bride's gown. 25 Unique Wedding Seating Charts to Guide Guests to Their Tables 17 of 23 Table for Two Luna De Mare Photography During dinner, the newlyweds sat at a sweetheart table beneath an oak tree. Velvet tufted chairs and flowers repurposed from the ceremony set a romantic vibe. 20 Beautiful Sweetheart Table Ideas Any Couple Would Love 18 of 23 Flower Power Luna De Mare Photography Long farm tables held centerpieces brimming with lilacs, roses, ranuculus, sweet pea, frittilaria, silene, hellebores, and jasmine vine, all in the event's signature shades: pink and purple. 19 of 23 Dinner Time Luna De Mare Photography Hungry Bear Catering created what Raina calls a "California meets French Mediterranean" menu based on the couple's favorite dinner dates. The plated meal began with a market green salad; then guests chose between sea bass with olives, New York steak with chimichurri, or mushroom ragu. 20 of 23 Dance with Me Luna De Mare Photography When the couple made their grand entrance into the reception, they grooved to "Quando, Quando, Quando" by Michael Bublé and Nelly Furtado, a song they heard while they were on vacation in Florence, Italy, just 10 days after getting engaged. Unique First Dance Songs No One Will See Coming 21 of 23 Charming Cakes Luna De Mare Photography Enjoy Cupcakes made a trio of cakes topped with buttercream and fresh flowers. Each was a different flavor: lavender lemon honey, baklava, and chocolate vanilla doughnut. 22 of 23 Sips Tea Luna De Mare Photography As a nod to their first meeting, Raina and Sal collected vintage tea cups to decorate tables. They also doubled as party favors—guests were encouraged to take them home following the Moroccan mint tea service post-dinner. 23 of 23 Sources Luna De Mare Photography Photography, Luna De Mare Photography Event planning, Green Ribbon Parties Catering, Hungry Bear Catering Co. Cake, Enjoy Cupcakes Ice Cream, McConnell's Fine Ice Creams Flowers, The Loved Co. Officiant, Mark Ukra Stationery, Sarah Stimpson Matazzoni (design); Gold Image (printing); Paper Source (envelopes) Vintage stamps, Edelweiss Post Music, Jason Sulkin Bride's gown, Monique Lhuillier Bride's accessories, XIV Karats jewelry; Saint Laurent shoes; Orciani belt Hair, Capella Salon Makeup, Kristina Brown at Tracey Mattingly Agency Bridesmaids' dresses, A.L.C; Alice + Olivia; BHLDN; Lulu's Groom's suit, Isaia (tuxedo jacket); Hugo Boss (shirt); Suit Supply (pants) Groom's accessories, Tom Ford (bow tie); Florsheim (shoes) Menswear, Banana Republic; Bloomingdales; Macy's; Nordstrom Rentals, Archive Rentals Linens, La Tavola Lighting, Premiere Party Rents Transportation, Classy Chassis Rentals Security, Sandman Security Restrooms, Meraz Luxury Rentals Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit