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  7. At Their Wedding in California, the Couple Asked Attendees to Wear Black and White to Be "Active Participants"—Not Just Witnesses
Martha Stewart Weddings

At Their Wedding in California, the Couple Asked Attendees to Wear Black and White to Be "Active Participants"—Not Just Witnesses

sarah schreiber martha stewart
By Sarah Schreiber March 18, 2022
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bride and groom outside venue
Credit: Lauren Fair

This duo opted for a black-tie approach sans the formality.

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bride and groom outside venue
Credit: Lauren Fair

Christonya and Orlando met in college, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham—but not, as some college sweethearts do, at a party. In fact, they first crossed paths because Christonya decided against attending one, opting instead to watch the finale of Making the Band ("I can still feel the sheer enjoyment this moment in TV brought me," laughs the bride). When the episode was over, she headed out into the living room—which is where she first saw Orlando, who was standing there with the "biggest grin on his face." He'd been listening to every shriek and shrill, and knew he had to introduce himself. "That was the beginning of our journey as friends," notes Christonya.

Several years later, while Christonya, a fashion stylist, was on a job in Los Angeles, Orlando surprised her with a trip to Napa Valley, a "destination that she almost obsessively spoke about, but had never been to," he says. Towards the end of their trip—and under the guise of taking a few portraits with their newly-purchased tripod—they took a scenic drive up and down hills and through expansive fields, until they reached a trail. It led to a cliff that "truly felt like the end of the earth," notes the groom—which is where he dropped to one knee and popped the question ("Admittedly, I had some difficulty getting the ring box out of my pocket!" he says).

Despite the challenges the wedding-planning process threw their way—obstacles, which included securing a venue, they weathered with the help of Erica Estrada and Lauren Broussard of Erica Estrada Design—there was one big-day element that was a no-brainer: "Saying 'I do,'" explains Christonya. "Walking down the aisle and saying yes to my love, my partner, and my best friend was the easiest part. I didn't have one ounce of nervousness on that day and not one single doubt regarding committing my heart and soul to Orlando for life. I am infinitely blessed!"

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Sunny Sunstone Villa

brick wedding venue exterior with trees and shrubs
Credit: Lauren Fair

After several days of pre-wedding events, including a mini pool party, joint bachelor and bachelorette night, and rehearsal dinner, the big day—held at Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California—had finally arrived. The pair asked their loved ones to dress in black and white for the occasion, creating a unified, black-tie vibe that was tempered by the organic elements of their surroundings. The coordinated dress code also had another benefit: "We wanted the guests to feel like they all were active participants in this moment—and not just witnesses."

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Beautiful Bride

bride in strapless wedding dress with lace trimmed veil
Credit: Lauren Fair

"I loved how I felt in this wedding dress," says Christonya of her printed silk organza Zuhair Murad gown; the pleated bodice added a touch of femininity and 1950s elegance, a style the bride loves. "For as long as I can remember, I loved the glamour of the '50s," she says. "This dress was very reminiscent of Grace Kelly's white gown from the movie To Catch a Thief."

  • The Best Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

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What a Veil

bridesmaid in black dress helping bride with her veil down the stairs
Credit: Lauren Fair

The bride's 150-inch-long veil, which she ordered from Eteri Couture, incorporated details—like imported lace and beading—that her gown didn't have. Mixing those textures made magic, she says: "We ended up with a delicate, ethereal combination of beads and shiny pearls on soft Chantilly Lace and classic Spanish mantilla-style tulle. It flowed magically in the air."

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Creamy White Blooms

bride holding white rose bouquet
Credit: Lauren Fair

Christonya held a simple arrangement of white spray roses, courtesy of Jenn Sanchez.

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Shimmer and Shine

white jeweled high heel shoes
Credit: Lauren Fair

The bride's Manolo Blahnik pumps' gemstones reflected the light whenever she took a step.

  • 40 Wedding Shoes That Are Worthy of an Instagram

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Flower Girl Twirl

flower girl spinning in her dress
Credit: Lauren Fair

Orlando and Christonya's flower girl gave her Sheyle dress a twirl ahead of the ceremony.

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Jacket Contrast

groom wearing white tux with groomsmen in black tuxes
Credit: Lauren Fair

The groom and his attendants previewed the day's signature color palette—black and white. Orlando donned a white tuxedo blazer with black silk shawl lapel from Giorgio Armani; his black pants, also from Armani, featured a coordinating silk strip. Groomsmen wore sleek black iterations from The Black Tux. "I have always loved seeing how tailored and chic a man can look in a double-breasted suit," says Christonya. "I knew immediately that it was the ideal style for all of Orlando's groomsmen."

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Golden Fields

outdoor ceremony set up under tree with greenery and flowers down the aisle
Credit: Lauren Fair

Christonya and Orlando's vision for their ceremony was clean and timeless, notes the pair's florist. "We decided on classic white flowers and lush foliage but wanted neither to read too heavy or overstated," says Jenn.

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Neutral Blooms and Foliage

wedding ceremony flowers on the ground by seating
Credit: Lauren Fair

Various grasses and tall vertical blooms, like delphinium, were designed in a meadow-inspired fashion along both sides of the aisle.

  • Beautiful Altar and Aisle Decorations for Your Wedding

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On Dad's Arm

bride and father processional
Credit: Lauren Fair

"My amazing dad walked me down the aisle," says Christonya. "He was so overwhelmed with emotion on this day. My parents had a very small wedding, so being able to give Orlando and me this special experience meant the world to them."

The ceremony music, courtesy of Kourtney White and Enzo Innello, was a particular highlight: "Kourtney went viral years ago for her rendition of 'Tennessee Whiskey.' When I first heard her voice, I locked it into my memory bank for our special day. When we found out she was actually available and willing to fly in to perform at our wedding we were overjoyed," says Christonya. Enzo, a "special addition," accompanied her last minute, when Kourtney's guitarist could no longer make it. "His strings set the atmosphere of love, holiness, and the sweetest joy," says the bride.

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Reading Their Vows

Bride and groom exchanging vows
Credit: Lauren Fair

During the duo's spiritual service, Orlando and Christonya exchanged heartfelt promises that put their mutual faith front and center. "Our vows reflected how impactful our spiritual journey has been and how it has shaped us into the people we are today," says the bride. "Undoubtedly, without that influence, we wouldn't be so blessed to share in the love that we so effortlessly live in today."

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Champagne Tower Hour

champagne tower with filled glasses
Credit: Lauren Fair

A Champagne tower awaited the celebrants as they processed into the cocktail hour-style reception.

  • 21 Champagne Towers to Copy for Your Own Wedding

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Signature Sips

mixologist muddling cocktail
Credit: Lauren Fair

The group sipped on two signature drinks, including the groom's go-to cocktail—an old fashioned—and an Italian Mule, made with vodka and limoncello, per the bartender's suggestion.

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Appetizer Central

oysters on a platter for cocktail hour
Credit: Lauren Fair

In lieu of a sit-down dinner, the couple served a series of appetizers during the reception, including these charbroiled oysters with parsley-infused butter and parmesan cheese.

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All Together

outdoor reception with linen seating and white umbrellas
Credit: Lauren Fair

Since the couple opted for a passed-app style meal, a mix of lounge-inspired furniture was circled around a low table.

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Lively Conversation

wedding guests sitting and chatting outside venue
Credit: Lauren Fair

Guests were encouraged to sip, sit, and mingle wherever they liked. 

  • 20 Unique Reception Seating Ideas

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Individual Charcuterie

wedding cheese and meat boards
Credit: Lauren Fair

A series of individual charcuterie boards were arranged along the tabletop.

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Cheers!

bride and groom toasting to guests below from balcony
Credit: Lauren Fair

Christonya and Orlando skipped the first section of their party to pose for portraits. "During one of the photos, we decided to offer a toast from the balcony of the villa, which turned out to be one of our favorite moments from the evening," notes the bride. "Seeing all of our loved ones below, cheering and celebrating, will be a moment that will live in our memories forever."

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Floral Confections

two-tiered wedding cake with pink roses and gold serving utensils
Credit: Lauren Fair

La Dolce, who catered the entirety of the event, also made the duo's two wedding cakes. The larger dessert featured layers of old fashioned vanilla bean, layered with a salted caramel buttercream frosting and homemade chocolate chip brownie pieces. The second, the groom's confection, was a rich, decadent chocolate, complete with a ganache center and brown buttercream frosting.

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Time to Dance

wedding guests dancing in white dresses on the dance floor
Credit: Lauren Fair

Due to a noise ordinance, the newlyweds weren't permitted to have a DJ onsite, so they outsourced their playlist to a professional, who curated a set with input from their guests. "It had every guest on their feet the entire evening," says the bride.

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Sources

bride and groom embracing showing off back of gown
Credit: Lauren Fair

Photography, Lauren Fair Photography
Venue, Sunstone Winery
Videography, Symboll
Event Planning, Erica Estrada and Lauren Broussard of Erica Estrada Design
Flowers, Jenn Sanchez
Invitations, Bliss & Bone
Menu and Vow Books, McManus & Morgan Fine Art Paper
Bride's Attire, Zuhair Murad
Bride's Accessories, Eteri Couture (veil), Manolo Blahnik (shoes)
Hair and Makeup, Khamilia Smith
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Solace London; Fame and Partners
Groom's Attire, Giorgio Armani
Groomsmen's Attire, The Black Tux
Catering,
La Dolce
Music, Kourtney White, Enzo Innello
Rentals, Theoni Collection

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    1 of 22
    2 of 22 Sunny Sunstone Villa
    3 of 22 Beautiful Bride
    4 of 22 What a Veil
    5 of 22 Creamy White Blooms
    6 of 22 Shimmer and Shine
    7 of 22 Flower Girl Twirl
    8 of 22 Jacket Contrast
    9 of 22 Golden Fields
    10 of 22 Neutral Blooms and Foliage
    11 of 22 On Dad's Arm
    12 of 22 Reading Their Vows
    13 of 22 Champagne Tower Hour
    14 of 22 Signature Sips
    15 of 22 Appetizer Central
    16 of 22 All Together
    17 of 22 Lively Conversation
    18 of 22 Individual Charcuterie
    19 of 22 Cheers!
    20 of 22 Floral Confections
    21 of 22 Time to Dance
    22 of 22 Sources

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    At Their Wedding in California, the Couple Asked Attendees to Wear Black and White to Be "Active Participants"—Not Just Witnesses
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