By Kelcy Christy
Brianna Vazquez and Zachary Patton
Photographed by: Morgan Lynn
Photography Location: Laguna Beach, California, United States
Nine years after they met during their senior year of high school, Zachary Patton proposed to Brianna Vazquez on her favorite holiday, Halloween. “He attached photos of us throughout our nine years of dating to balloons all through the house and carved pumpkins saying, ‘Will you marry me?’” explains Brianna of the heartfelt private at-home proposal. Of course, she said yes, and they began planning their nuptials for the weekend of their 10th dating anniversary.
Though they now reside in Colorado, the pair decided to go back to California, where they lived together for a couple years, to host a sunny fall destination wedding weekend for 82 loved ones in Laguna Beach. “It feels like a second ‘home,’” Brianna adds of their location choice.
To help orchestrate the fête, they hired Ann Whittington of Ann Whittington Events, who helped bring the couple’s vision to life. “I loved the contrast of romantic, moody florals in a beach setting during the fall,” shares the bride, who selected a bold palette of black, white, and mirrored elements along with striking accents of bright scarlet tones.
“We decided to make our altar red, which inspired most of our décor throughout the wedding,” Brianna describes; however, she mentions that the burst of color was a surprise for attendees as they didn’t incorporate the hue into any wedding stationery beforehand. Loved ones found their seats for the outdoor ceremony on a manicured lawn overlooking the ocean, surrounded by fragrant flowers. “Our floral altar created an illusion of it flowing down the aisle, framing the walkway in gorgeous rich red tones,” adds the bride.
She was stunning in a luxurious lace gown by Galia Lahav with sheer sides and long illusion sleeves embellished with botanical embroideries. As she walked down the aisle, a beautiful veil featuring floral appliqués affixed to the crown of her long tresses trailed gracefully behind her. She clutched a ruby-hued bridal bouquet as she met her groom beneath the exquisite ceremony structure. “My most memorable moment was finally reaching the altar and getting to see Zach for the first time that day. It was like tunnel vision, and I couldn’t hear or focus on anything else but looking at him!” she smiles.
“The classic outdoor Laguna Beach bluff setting and the scenery of our moody flowers against the gorgeous view was incredible.”
