Caroline here! Nicole and Bobby hosted an unforgettable beachside celebration at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort. Their vision was to create a gathering that felt like an intimate dinner party with close family and friends—and it became just that, with a heck of a dance party! We brought their dream to life with warm wooden tables, plush seating, and low floral arrangements, creating a luxurious beachside ambiance that perfectly captured the beauty of the sunset.
Nicole, the owner of a yoga studio in Chicago, first met Bobby when he became a regular in her classes! Given Bobby’s family’s ties to both Chicago and Dana Point, the Waldorf Astoria made for an ideal venue, bringing both of their worlds together in one stunning location.
The couple made their guests feel truly special by writing personalized notes that doubled as a seating chart, with many moved to tears. Thoughtful details were sprinkled throughout the day, from customized fragrance bottles to a surfboard-turned-guestbook, and even a fondant-wrapped cake inspired by their invitation suite. Guests were greeted with a touching tribute to Nicole’s mother at the ceremony entrance, and cocktail hour showcased wedding photos spanning generations of family history.
Their reception was a lively East Coast-style dance party, with guests hitting the dance floor between courses. The Soulville California band kept the energy sky-high, and the twinkling lights above added to the festive atmosphere. The couple’s playful side came through with oversized cutouts of their pets’ faces, while Nicole’s favorite espresso martinis were featured in a striking martini tower, setting the fun tone for the night.
Butterfly Floral delivered stunning floral arrangements, using soft whites and textured blooms to complement the relaxed elegance of the day. Butterflies, a meaningful symbol for Nicole, made several appearances. Nicole had always believed her late mother’s spirit was represented by butterflies, and she even honored her with a butterfly tattoo. Monarch butterflies were present throughout the event, including an emotional moment when they flew overhead during the couple’s first dance, bringing Nicole’s family to tears. The butterfly motif, woven throughout from the resort’s logo to real monarchs in flight, made it feel as though Nicole’s mother was right there, celebrating alongside them.
Nicole and Bobby’s wedding was the perfect blend of love, joy, and connection, creating an evening full of dancing, personal touches, and unforgettable memories shared with their closest loved ones.
The Creatives:
Planning + Design | Caroline Leggio || Venue: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach || Florals: Butterfly Floral Design || Photo & Video: Two Fourteen Photography & Films || Rentals: Found Rental Co. MTB Event Rentals & Oaktree Event Rentals || Structure, Draping & Lighting: Brilliant Event Lighting || Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Chloe & Tina Marie Hair || Entertainment: American Events Network || Ceremony Entertainment: Ocdamia Music Group || Cake: Grace & Honey Cakes || Espresso Martini Tower: Flute & Fizz || Photobooth: Pixster Photobooth || Stationery: Kate Wiseman Creative || Signage: Bader Collective
