A bit about A + J: Based in LA, Amy is an actress and Pilates instructor + Jamie owns Portola Paints and is a musician. They’re busy people, clearly, but that didn’t stop them from handcrafting their big day at Jamie’s parents’ so they could tie the knot with a guest list of 155 and a style that blended their bohemian, midcentury aesthetic with the home’s tropical flair. Think casual, playful, colorful, and completely personalized—right down to the front yard that they closed off with 120′ of live olive hedges to transform the space (which you’ll see in Birds of a Feather‘s images).
We fell in love in Jamie’s parents’ backyard, so there was no question of the special meaning it held when we chose it as our venue. His dad Jim, is a builder, so their house is incredible. The first time I walked in to their home I said that I felt like I was walking into a Nora Ephron movie. His father then replied that he build Nancy Meyer’s home, so I was pretty right on.
Amy wore the shoes Jamie’s mom wore on her wedding day… So sweet.
We started planning about 9 months before, but the last 6 were when the bulk of the work happened. The last month and weeks leading up were especially busy. We did so much ourselves—Jamie was even helping set up speakers when guests started to arrive. Our biggest hurdle was delegating. We had such specific visions (see Pinterest) of how we wanted the day to go. Letting go of the control and accepting that the day is gonna be what it’s gonna be is a big one. Were there things that went wrong? Yes, but they were so minuscule and we both knew that the day was about us celebrating our love with our most dear friends and family. We had so much fun and are so in love that it doesn’t matter.
A vibrant bridal bouquet of peonies, dahlias, sweet peas, ranunculus, seeded eucalyptus, and ruscus.
They ended up branding their day “LUH” for love, and the theme was everywhere from signage to their wedding website. They built the taco stand for their taco truck, which transformed to a dessert + popcorn bar after dinner. Best idea ever.
Amy tells it, We had lots of reclaimed wood and colored textiles mixed with African baskets, tons of flowers, and lots of handmade signs (which Jamie designed and painted/printed)… Doing so much of the work ourselves made for a very personal and intimate experience. Our tables were actually 10’ long slabs of a tree that had been cut down in Jamie’s parents front yard. The week of the wedding they were sanded and secured on saw horses. It was pretty special to have everyone eating on tables that were a part of Jamie’s childhood.
Did we mention these two were able to pull all their epics project together for under 30k?
Congrats you guys!
Photographer: Birds of a Feather / Venue: Groom’s Parent’s in Studio City, CA / Coordination: Tealight Events / Florist & Floral Crowns: Of the Flowers / Hair: Alexandra Adams / Makeup: Nikki Lawson / Invitations: Groom, Jamie Davis with Paperless Post / Cake: Valerie Confections / Catering: Plancha Tacos / Ice Cream Truck: S’Cream Truck / Rehearsal Dinner Location: Portola Paints / Burger Truck: Baby’s Badass Burgers / Rentals: Town & Country / Lounge Rentals: YEAH Rentals / Photobooth: Birdie Booth / Bride’s Dress: Kelsey Genna with Custom Top by Maria Diaz of Bride Boutique / Shoes: Vintage / Gold Cuff: Borrowed from Bride’s Mom / Earrings: Bride’s Late Grandmother’s / Rings: OK / Groom’s Suit: J. Lindeberg / Shirt: Hugo Boss / Shoes: Topshop / Watch: Daniel Wellington / Tie: Pocket Square Clothing / Tie Bar: J. Crew / Belt: Tanner Goods / Hair: Spoke and Weal / Flower Girls: Superfussy / Ring Bearer: Styled by Rachel Pally / Website: Theyinluh.com
