A Storybook Wedding in Pacific Palisades with a Pastel Theme
Sammi and Andy’s love story began long before either of them understood what love was—when they shared a third-grade classroom in Los Angeles. The two children were paired together simply based on height, as they were among the tallest in the classroom.
“Our first impressions of each other were innocent and simple,” the couple recalls. “’Wow… we’re both so tall.’ What began as a small coincidence grew into a childhood friendship that followed us through years of shared schools, shared memories, and a comforting sense that we would always find our way back to each other.”
Sammi and Andy remained close childhood friends throughout elementary and middle school. During high school, however, they were sent to different campuses a few miles apart.
“We drifted the way childhood friends often do,” they explain, “but fate had other plans. During our sophomore year, conversations started again. They began slowly and then all at once, familiar and easy. By junior year, our friendship had grown into something deeper, and we suddenly realized the person who felt so right had been beside us all along. We later attended the same college and built a relationship grounded in history, understanding, and years of friendship. Now, ten years later, we look back and see that our love story truly began long before we ever knew it.”
A Pacific Palisades Proposal
The proposal took place in the Pacific Palisades, close to the Bel-Air Bay Club, as the area holds a great deal of significance to the couple’s history together.
“The Palisades had become our quiet sanctuary where we shared meals, enjoyed sunsets at the Point at the Bluffs, and escaped the noise of everyday life,” they share. “On August 11, 2023, Sammi thought we were stopping for another peaceful sunset, but it became the moment that started our forever. With help from Sammi’s cousin, who set everything up ahead of time, Andy knelt down as the sky turned golden. A simple evening became a memory we will always treasure.”
Returning to The Bel-Air Bay Club
With the Palisades playing such an important role in Sammi and Andy’s love story, it was only fitting to get married at the stunning Bel-Air Bay Club.
“Choosing our wedding venue felt symbolic in the sweetest way,” says the couple. “We loved the Pacific Palisades, but our connection to the Bel Air Bay Club actually began years earlier in high school. One day, Andy accidentally turned into the venue driveway while looking for a restroom. Neither of us had any idea that this random turn would eventually become the place where we would say our vows. When we revisited the venue during planning, Sammi recognized the driveway instantly, and from that moment, the choice felt meant to be.”
The bride-to-be led most of the wedding planning process, envisioning a soft pastel theme that reflected the gentle, timeless nature of the couple’s relationship. Most of the experience was running smoothly until a wildfire broke out in Los Angeles and swept through the Palisades. With nearly all their wedding plans finalized, the uncertainty of the situation naturally created unexpected stress and worry; but it also taught Sammi and Andy to lean on each other and turn their anxiety into teamwork.
Thankfully, the Bel-Air Bay Club survived the fires—and the challenges made it feel even more significant and meaningful when the wedding day finally arrived.
A Storybook Setting
On the morning of the wedding, the groom woke up convinced that he wouldn’t be emotional. To his surprise, he found himself deeply moved by every moment, and a wave of feelings rushed in as soon as the day “became real.” The bride was glowing with happiness, and it was surreal to see the long-awaited celebration unfold.
“Our ceremony was heartfelt and unforgettable, made even more beautiful by a humorous moment during our vows,” the couple shares. “Our wedding party, who insisted they would not shed a single tear, all broke down crying as soon as the vows began. Their reaction filled the moment with laughter and emotion, perfectly capturing the spirit of our day. As we exited the aisle, Pink Mozart performed a trio arrangement of ‘Golden Hour’ by JVKE on harp, cello, and violin. The music created a warm and luminous atmosphere that felt like sunlight wrapped around us.”
“It was the celebration of a decade long love story that began in a third-grade classroom.”
For the reception, the Bel-Air Bay Club’s interior was transformed into a celebration space that made everyone feel like they were stepping into a fairytale.
“It was a storybook setting created from pieces of both of us,” the couple describes. “From the pastel decor to the food selections we handpicked, every detail was personal and intentional. It was emotional, inviting, and filled with moments we will cherish forever. For our first dance, we chose ‘pov’ by Ariana Grande, a song that reflects the way we see, support, and love each other. Dancing to it felt like our own quiet moment within the celebration, steady and intimate.”
Experiencing Bora Bora
After a storybook wedding in Pacific Palisades, the newlyweds jetted off to another dream destination for their honeymoon—Bora Bora. Staying at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, the couple spent time relaxing in the middle of the ocean together, swimming with humpback whales, and encountering sharks for an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
“Looking back,” they say, “our wedding was more than a single day. It was the celebration of a decade long love story that began in a third-grade classroom and grew into a lifelong partnership. It was emotional, magical, and deeply personal, and it reminded us of how lucky we are to have found each other so early in life. It was, in every way, our fairytale.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location & Catering: Bel-Air Bay Club; Planning & Event Design: Blush Events; Floral Design: Wild and Behold Florals; Rentals: MTB Event Rentals; Lighting: TMMPRO; Cake: Baked by Julie; Wedding Dress: Rita Vinieris; Reception Dress: Nicole + Felicia; Bridal Salon: Jaxon James; Hair & Makeup: Kohnur; Groom's Attire: Hermes; Groom's Watch: Rolex; Engagement Ring: Chow Tai Fook; Entertainment: Pink Mozart Entertainment, Lotus Event Pros; Honeymoon Destination: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort; Photography & Cinematography: Anatoliy K Weddings