GARDEN DREAM
ALEXIS DEUTSCH & DANIEL RICKLES
The connection between Alexis Deutsch and Daniel Rickles was clear from their first date. “I remember texting my mom when I got home saying, ‘Could this guy be any more perfect for me?’” Alexis shares. “I still have a screenshot of that text.” Their relationship grew over the next few years, and they began to look at rings together. Anticipating the proposal, Alexis thought it might occur on a short trip to Orange County before going to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. “Because I’m so close to my family, he knew it was important for me to be able to celebrate with them,” she notes. Instead, he popped the question in Redondo Beach, which was the first place Alexis took her beau when he traveled to Southern California to meet her family. “While we were eating seafood at the pier, my parents and friends were setting up a romantic display in the sand,” she details of the plan. “I had no idea anyone was there because they were all hiding! Dan proposed on the beach and that night we celebrated with a big family dinner.”
Due to a desire for an outdoor ceremony, the bride’s hometown was a natural choice for the wedding, rather than New York, Alexis and Dan’s current city of residence. With plenty of help from Geller Events, the bride and her mother spent the next year planning the perfect day. “My vision for the garden was to be incredibly romantic with an abundance of white flowers, lush greenery, dim lighting, and candles, but with a modern twist,” the bride illustrates. To achieve this, she sent inspirational images to her planner, as well as the floral design team at The Hidden Garden. While looking for ideas on Instagram, Alexis fell in love with a mirrored aisle. “I loved how unique it was!” she confirms.
On the mid-November evening, the bride walked down that reflective aisle with her father, mother, and stepfather, showcasing the importance all three have in her life, as well as the healthy relationship between her parents. Her detailed sheath gown was accented with an additional train, created by her bridal stylist Maradee Wahl of Dear Maradee, and the lush bouquet of white peonies perfectly completed the romantic garden setting. Ivory drapery and crystal chandeliers from Revelry Event Designers were suspended above as the couple exchanged vows beneath a striking chuppah. “I think it looked like a scene out of a movie,” gushes Dan of the dreamy environment.
“My vision for the garden was to be incredibly romantic with an abundance of white flowers, lush greenery, dim lighting, and candles, but with a modern twist.”
The reception continued the classic color story, incorporating gold accents in order to add warmth to the space. “We had large white orchid-and-rose floral arrangements that were surrounded by candles for our round tables,” the bride describes. Rectangular tables in the room featured more blooms along with candelabra, votives, and tapered candles to add depth. The wedding cake had tiers of varying sizes with gorgeous sugar flowers cascading down. When it came time to cut into the confection, the newlyweds went with a different method than most. “We didn’t want to stop the party and music, so Alexis and I went to the side and did it with little fanfare,” the groom explains. “This worked out because we got to share that moment basically by ourselves.”
It’s understandable that Alexis and Dan were reluctant to slow down the party, as their guests kept the dance floor full until 2AM. The groom was passionate about embracing their joint Jewish heritage by having a well-done hora. “I made sure that all my friends and family knew that we needed all hands on deck to make sure everyone was involved,” he affirms. Of course, dancing continued after the traditional moments were complete. A live band maintained the festive energy, until a DJ began for a smooth transition to the after-party.
As attendees bid farewell to the newlyweds, each guest was surprised with picture frames featuring photos taken of them during the cocktail hour earlier in the night. “When we go to people’s homes, it’s really special to see the pictures from our wedding prominently displayed,” the bride muses.