This Pair's Garden-Themed Wedding Brought Europe to Beverly Hills

bride and groom smiling in outdoor garden area
Kurt Boomer

Katie and Garrett have her brother, Matt, to thank for their partnership; he introduced the pair in October 2007. After almost a decade of dating, Garrett popped the question on a picnic date, and the duo immediately launched into wedding preparations. After settling on an August 29, 2020, wedding date, their meticulous plans shifted; they decided to postpone the event due to pandemic restrictions, but that didn't stop them from tying the knot as planned. They held a civil marriage ceremony followed by an intimate family dinner at home and pushed their wedding celebration out a year. "We found it very meaningful to be able to celebrate our first anniversary with most of our friends and family on the exact date one year later," Katie says.

Though the pair always envisioned a California event—Katie booked her first-choice venue, the Mansion Courtyard at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, after falling in love with its timeless architecture—they had a European vision. To bring it to life, they hired Italy-based event designer Federica Beni; their wedding planner and day-of coordinator, Sarah Park, wrangled all of the details stateside, helping pull off a safe, sophisticated celebration on August 28, 2021. With Federica so far away, the couple held video meetings throughout the planning process and leaned on Sarah to pull together the finishing touches and offer support on the big day.

When that big day arrived, Katie and Garrett were surrounded by 152 guests, who watched them re-exchange vows in a garden ceremony and celebrated the pair with dinner and dancing in the courtyard.

01 of 27

Neutral Suite

neutral toned wedding invitations
Kurt Boomer

Garrett and Katie wanted a neutral invitation suite to match their event's overall color scheme of dusty rose, ivory, and mauve. Handmade paper was paired with ink calligraphy by Julie Ha. Invitation notes were wrapped in vellum featuring a botanical motif that Julie sketched, and finished with a wax seal featuring the pair's monogram.

  • The Most Popular Invitation Printing Methods, Explained
02 of 27

Grand and Classic

bridal party helping bride get ready
Kurt Boomer

Katie wore a French Chantilly lace wedding dress with a deep V-neckline and extended train by Monique Lhullier; it was the third and final gown she tried on. The garment came with detachable shoulder streamers—Katie wore them for her photo session—and an open back, a detail the bride ultimately revised. "Once I put on that dress for the first time, I could immediately picture myself walking down the aisle in it," Katie says. "It's very grand and classic."

03 of 27

Finishing Touches

bridal party lifting veil for bride
Kurt Boomer

During the ceremony, the bride wore a cathedral length veil, also by Monique Lhullier. She chose ivory lace Christian Louboutin pumps with light blue linings, which served as her "something blue" on the big day.

04 of 27

Magical Bouquet

neutral toned wedding floral bouquet
Kurt Boomer

Her bouquet featured neutral blooms punctuated with graceful greens. "Gabriela from La Musa de Las Flores is an artist—or should I say a flower fairy with magical powers," Katie says. "She worked with our event designer, Federica Beni, to create my bouquet and the rest of the floral arrangements, and I loved all of them."

05 of 27

Blush Crepe

bridesmaids smiling looking through window
Kurt Boomer

After selecting a muted blush stretch crepe fabric, Katie allowed her bridesmaids choose from five styles offered by Show Me Your Mumu. "This fabric was especially easy to carry, very comfortable, and flattering at the same time," she notes.

06 of 27

So Chic

mother of the bride wearing champagne colored dress
Kurt Boomer

Katie's mother coordinated with the bridesmaids in a blush-meets-champagne silk gown, complete with chic buttons down the front and draped sleeves.

07 of 27

Trimmed in Silk

groom wearing classic black tux with bowtie
Kurt Boomer

Garrett donned a classic slim-fit black tuxedo from BOSS; the virgin wool ensemble was trimmed with silk and finished with a bow tie. Katie helped him shop for cuff links at Tiffany & Co. as soon as stores started opening back up during the pandemic.

08 of 27

Dashing Groomsmen

groomsmen wearing classic black and white tuxes
Kurt Boomer

Groomsmen were resplendent in slim-fit suits paired with blush ties that matched the bridesmaids' dresses.

09 of 27

Beyond Expectations

bride hugs groom smiling during first look outside
Kurt Boomer

Katie and Garrett shared their first look at the side entrance of the mansion, where shade offered the perfect escape from the heat. They were excited to see each other; Katie had been talking about her wedding dress since she first found it in 2019. "He said the gown looked perfect on me and it exceeded his expectations," Katie reflects.

10 of 27

Blooms and Berries

large ceramic vase filled floral decor
Kurt Boomer

The duo's ceremony took place in the formal garden, where two heritage urns, marking the beginning of the aisle, were filled with ivory-and-pink flowers and berries.

11 of 27

Bubbling Fountain

garden wedding ceremony outdoor set up
Kurt Boomer

Federica designed an altar, featuring an asymmetrical interrupted floral arch with overgrown greenery, around the property's picturesque fountain.

12 of 27

Strumming the Harp

wedding ceremony harpist playing instrument
Kurt Boomer

The pair hired a harpist and violinist to play during the ceremony.

13 of 27

Staying Cool

white paper fans on wedding ceremony chairs
Kurt Boomer

White paper fans were placed on each chair, providing guests a small escape from the summer heat.

14 of 27

Lovely Loveseats

wedding ceremony loveseats for parents with floral decor
Kurt Boomer

Two ivory loveseats were set up on either side of the aisle for the couple's parents; they offered a front-row view to the proceedings. The aisle was lined with organic arrangements placed in low wooden boxes.

15 of 27

The Bride's Debut

bride walking up stairs outside in garden area during wedding processional
Kurt Boomer

Katie was accompanied by her father as she walked down the aisle, which ended up being one of her favorite moments of the day.

16 of 27

Vow Catch-Up

bride and groom exchange wedding vows outside in garden
Kurt Boomer

Because the pair had previously tied the knot in a civil ceremony, they asked Garrett's cousin to officiate this one. During their first service, the groom had surprised his bride with his vows, while she had not prepared anything specific to say. So, during this ceremony, Katie read Garrett her personalized vows in front of their family and friends. "Better late than never!" Katie laughs.

17 of 27

Cocktail Hour in the Courtyard

outdoor garden wedding cocktail hour set up
Kurt Boomer

The newlyweds hired a DJ to entertain loved ones during the cocktail hour, where high-top tables were set up in one of the property's courtyards.

18 of 27

Raising the Bar

glass wedding bar display sign with floral decor
Kurt Boomer

They served signature sips and passed apps like mini duck tostadas, hamachi crudo, mini lobster rolls, vegetable ceviche, and tuna tartare in sesame miso cones.

19 of 27

Frosted

large glass etched seating chart display boards
Kurt Boomer

Two seating charts were etched onto double acrylic panels and set up outside the entrance of the inner courtyard. "We created a frosted panel placed right in front of the acrylic one, creating a little depth," Federica says. The signs were placed on wooden bases and embellished with organic greenery vines and grounded compositions.

20 of 27

Quick Change

bride wearing second look for reception dinner standing outside with groom
Kurt Boomer

For the party, Katie changed into a beaded tulle gown with feather embellishments by Eisen Stein. "It was way easier to walk in," she explains.

21 of 27

The Reception Setup

outdoor wedding reception seating by fountain
Kurt Boomer

A series of round tables surrounded a rectangular station, where the newlyweds sat with their parents, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. "We wanted an elegant set-up," Federica says of the reception's décor scheme. "We decided to keep the overall atmosphere soft, adding a few up-lights to the walls surrounding the courtyard and a few spotlights." Tables were dressed in off-white linens and paired with ghost chairs.

22 of 27

In the Round

round reception tables with neutral toned placesettings
Kurt Boomer

Compote centerpieces—in neutral tones with pops of pink—reinforced the shape of the round tables; modern rose gold flatware and ornate chargers were placed at each setting. Menus and place cards printed on handmade paper were calligraphed by Julie.

23 of 27

Endearing First Dance

bride and groom share first dance outside by fountain
Kurt Boomer

Katie and Garrett shared a "clumsy, yet endearing" first dance together in the courtyard in front of their loved ones.

24 of 27

Delicious Dinner

bride and groom with wedding party during wedding dinner
Kurt Boomer

"Garrett and I went to our tasting with Sarah Park, our wedding planner, and both of our moms," Katie says of the big-day meal. "Everything was so delicious. We actually had a tough time finalizing the menu because we wanted everything!"

25 of 27

A Third Look

bride and groom dancing after bride third dress change
Kurt Boomer

Towards the end of dinner, Katie changed into a third ensemble—a beaded spaghetti strap dress by Costarellos.

26 of 27

Incredible Detail

large abstract design wedding cake
Kurt Boomer

The couple's incredibly detailed confection, created by Jasmine Rae Cakes, featured shades of blush and an abstract design embellished with blush sugar florals and branches. Guests enjoyed slices of the dessert as a jazz trio serenaded the crowd and the Los Angeles city lights sparkled in the distance.

27 of 27

Sources

groom embracing bride wearing wedding attire
Kurt Boomer

Photography, Kurt Boomer
Videography, Anna Lord
Venue, Greystone Mansion
Event Planning, Sarah Park
Event Design, Federica Beni
Flowers, La Musa De Las Flores
Invitations and Paper Products, Julie Ha
Bride's Dresses, Monique Lhullier; Eisen Stein; Costarellos
Bride's Veil, Monique Lhullier
Bride's Shoes, Christian Louboutin
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Chiali Meng
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Show Me Your Mumu
Groom's Attire, BOSS; Tiffany & Co.
Groomsmen's Attire, BLACK by Vera Wang
Music, Jane Ferruzzo, LA Harp; Chase Edwards, Vox DJs
Catering, Wolfgang Puck
Cake, Jasmine Rae Cakes
Rentals, Casa de Perrin; The ARK; Premiere Party Rents; Iron Grace
Lighting, The Lighter Side

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles