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Modern California wedding: Michael + Franco

February 23, 2016
Wedding portrait

Good morning, Cakies! How about some ocean views and good vibes? Franco + Michael are restaurant owners who wanted their wedding to have a contemporary rustic elegance (which we love the sound of). They enlisted Bash, Please to bring it to life with succulents, leather, stone, and lots of greenery placed throughout the stunning Stone Manor in Malibu. More photos by Katherine & Luke of Max & Friends:

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We aren’t big fans of conformity, so while all the elements of the wedding complemented each other, there was no set color, or flower, or placing of items. Additionally, we wanted to make sure everything had a masculine touch, so we brought in more plants than flowers from Twig & Twine, all tied together with leather accents.

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M + F chose Stone Manor because of—you guessed it—those views. But they also loved the lush landscape and that they could have a wedding with 175 guests at one spot without having to worry about transportation or additional coordinating. Guests were free to mingle around the property all evening.

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These bowties!

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On choosing a photographer… We first fell in love with the samples we saw from Katherine & Luke on the Max & Friends website. We met them both over lunch in Los Angeles and knew right away they were the ones. We all really hit it off and I can’t tell you how important of a role they played the day of the wedding—they went above and beyond by putting us at ease about everything going on.

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As for the hardest part of planning? Saying no! There are so many amazing vendors out there with one of a kind services and products but ultimately you have to decide which elements are the most important and within your budget.

So true. Congratulations!

Photographer: Katherine & Luke of Max & Friends / Videographer: Tom O’Hara of Aqua Vivus / Venue: Stone Manor, Malibu CA / Planning, Design, Paper Goods, & Invitations: Bash, Please / Florist: Twig & Twine / Hair: Carlos “Sugar Skulls” Ramos / Makeup: Marine Sargsyan / Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop, Santa Monica & Carlitos Gardel, Los Angeles / Catering: HeirloomLA / Bar: Pharmacie / Furniture Rentals: Town & Country, Classic Party Rentals, & Found Vintage Rentals / Lighting: The Lighter Side / Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin / DJ: Gary Ames of The Flashdance / Linens: La Tavola / Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Strings by Reiko / Grooms’ Tuxes: Lanvin / Velvet Dinner Jacket: Burberry / Dancing Jacket: Versace / Shoes: Prada / Shirt: Lanvin / Bowtie: Lanvin / Pocket Square: Saint Laurent / Wedding Band: Tiffany & Co. / Best Man’s Tuxedo: Armani / Maid of Honors’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier