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Encinitas wedding: Katie + Jay

October 19, 2012
vintage Japanese artwork invitation suite

Happy Friday! It has felt nothing like fall here in LA, so we thought we’d roll with it and share Katie + Jay’s beautiful La Jolla beach wedding. With her father being part Chinese and Japanese, and from Hawaii, Katie wanted to tie in traditions and images that would reflect the heritage that has played such an important role in her life. She did so beautifully by incorporating 1,000 origami paper cranes, and Japanese vintage art into her wedding invitations. And from Hawaii, there was a special flower that made it into her bouquet to represent a family member who couldn’t make the trip.

patterned sun dresses wild flower boutonnieres pale roses and lambs ear bouquet

Katie’s bouquet recipe: quicksand roses, dusty miller, seeded eucalyptus, poppy pods, scabiosa pods, pink misty.

My mom added a surprise to my bouquet, Pikake, (Hawaiian for Jasmine) a flower my grandmother sent from Hawaii. My grandmother is 85 and wasn’t able to make the trip to California from Hawaii for the wedding and her presence was very missed. These flowers were a beautiful way to have her join me on my wedding day.

Venus sweetheart wedding dress and handmade hair clip pale pink rose florals and delicate shoe accent Mary, Star of the Sea Church, La Jolla, CA handmade paper bouquet flags Encinitas wedding party portrait rose boutonniere and pocket paper flags handmade ring bearer pillow Mary, Star of the Sea Church wedding La Jolla, CA beach scene beach-side wedding party portrait luggage picture garland and tea canister vases tree escort card illustrated poster cards cage and notes box "Love Libs" wedding notes hanging paper cranes ombre hanging paper cranes

In addition to our 1000 crane display we also included origami paper and crane-making instructions in our invitations to help our guests be involved in the well wishes this tradition would bring to our new family. 

wedding photo booth guest popcorn gifts and jarred jams paper flower adorned wedding cake twilight wedding reception

My biggest advice is to be grateful every step of the way. On our wedding day my husband and I were so overwhelmed by the support and love from our family and friends and we just kept reminding ourselves how lucky were were to have each other and to be surrounded but such love. It was truly the most special day ever and worth all the hard work and preparation.

Congrats Katie + Jay!

Photography: Megan Clouse Photography / Ceremony venue: Mary, Star of the Sea Church / Officiant: Father Bernard D’Sa (Bend, Oregon) / Reception venue: Martin Johnson House / Catering: Coast Catering / Florals: Botanic Allure / Cake: VG’s Bakery / Hair: Tara Nelson / Makeup: My Girls on Film Studios / DJ: DJ KROM / Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo booth / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Gown: Venus / Groom’s suit: Calvin Klein / Flower girls: Target / Invitations: Ott Creative