Jessica and Shea met as surgical residents at the University of Southern California and became close during their ICU rotation. When COVID hit, the couple ended up spending even more time together due to quarantine rules. That’s when Jessica and Shea’s journey shifted from being friendly co-workers to life partners. Eventually, the two said “I do” on a crystal-clear day at Casa Loma Beach Hotel in Laguna Beach, California.

With the majority of Jessica’s family and friends in Texas and Shea’s in Los Angeles and beyond, the couple understood that travel would be a necessity for a large portion of their guests, no matter where they chose to get married. “We figured we might as well make it a destination wedding!” Jessica says. The couple wanted to offer their traveling guests a quintessential California experience, and Laguna Beach delivered with its coastal scenery and ample lodging options.

“Laguna had its own airport and two nearby airports, which made it easy for people to travel without having to rent a car if they didn’t want to,” the bride shares.

Casa Loma Beach Hotel’s rooftop event space provided the ocean views Jessica and Shea dreamed of—without the hassle or mess of being directly on the beach. The couple credits their local wedding planner from Klink Events for easing the challenges of planning from afar. “Our planner was willing to visit vendors, check things out for us, and send pictures and videos. It helped so much,” Jessica recalls.

Jessica and Shea infused their wedding with meaningful DIY elements that reflected their personalities. Jessica’s father-in-law crafted copper sign stands, while Etsy became a treasure trove for welcome signs, place cards, and custom wineglass tags. A unique and playful detail was their nod to their medical careers, placing Operation board games on cocktail tables for guests to enjoy.

For favors, the couple celebrated their cultural backgrounds with personalized fortune cookies (Jessica is Chinese) and Jameson shots (Shea is Irish), adding a special and memorable touch. Instead of a traditional cake, Jessica and Shea chose to delight their guests with a churro cart from Sweet Poppys.

Ultimately, Laguna Beach’s charm made the entire weekend feel like something out of a movie. “So many of our guests made it a long weekend and just loved being able to hang out in Laguna!” Jessica shares. “They were amazed by the beauty of the city, the beach, and all the things you can do there.”

With family and friends traveling from all corners of the globe, the couple’s “California dream” destination turned into a prescription for perfection—and a reminder that sometimes the best cures for life’s stresses are love, laughter, and a rooftop with an ocean view.

Vendors: Photographer: Kate Noelle; Wedding Planner: Klink Events; Venue: Casa Loma Beach Hotel; Florist: Julep Bloom Design; Stationery: Minted; Churro Cart: Sweet Poppys; Hair & Makeup: Flawless Faces Beauty Lounge; Gown Designer: Jenny Yoo; Groom’s Attire: Indochino; Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your MuMu; DJ: Second Song; Acoustic Guitarist: Mike Wilson; Videographer: Lady Mouse Productions; Recommended by: World’s Best Wedding Photos