A destination wedding wasn’t always in the plans for Jon and Valeria, but when they started brainstorming about what kind of wedding to have and decided on a more intimate celebration with close family and friends, it just made sense.

“…we thought, ‘why not do a destination wedding?’,” the couple explains.

Jon and Valeria didn’t necessarily know exactly where they desired to be married, but they both recognized the special place in their hearts they had for the Golden State. 

“We love California and wanted a location that resembles that,” the bride says.

Many people think of cool ocean breezes, sunsets over open water, top-rated restaurants, celebrities and an overall posh way of life when they think of California. No better place resembles all of these elements than top-rated Japanese restaurant, Nobu, located in Malibu. Known specifically for its delicious sushi, the restaurant is set right on the beach, making for breathtaking views of the blue Pacific Ocean waters. The couple was immediately drawn to the idea of hosting their small, posh dream wedding there.

“Jon did some research, and that’s when we found Nobu and thought it would be the perfect place for a wedding,” the bride says.

With a venue nailed down, Jon and Valeria focused their efforts on planning. The idea was to design an extravagant, yet intimate and personal event. After consulting with planners from Best Bride, the couple felt confident in putting their vision in the planning team’s capable hands.

Best Bride did such an amazing job of describing the elements of the day sequentially that we thought we’d allow them to explain just how everything played out on the couple’s special day:

“As guests arrived, a burlesque dancer welcomed them dressed in glamorous pearls and jewels from head to toe, along with a gentleman in a top hat and tuxedo. This was the perfect touch for this fashionable yet classy event. 

With the waves crashing and the sun setting, candles lit the path to the altar covered in a palette of blush and white roses put together by Butterfly Florals. This mystical altar united Jon and Valeria for the exchanging of wedding vows in front of their closest friends and family. 

The reception was held off the balconies looking over the blue waters, which was part of the inspiration for this dreamy reception. We wanted a romantic vibe, so Best Bride and her team chose glassware from a palette of blush and pinks. Along with that, they added a touch of blue in the chargers to match the ocean backdrop all delivered by the rental company, Something Borrowed.  

Butterfly florals team created the perfect floral wall covered in white and pink roses with a hint of greenery, matching gorgeously with the altar. The wall filled the space splitting the restaurant and wedding, making this an intimate affair. It also made a perfect backdrop for the couple and their guest to take photos in front of. 

White florals and hanging greens cascaded alongside suspending votives, swaying in the ocean breeze. Butterfly florals created the unique, unconstructed canopy that lay perfectly in front of the ocean. the A magical touch to this unforgettable night where Jon, Valeria, and their guests enjoyed gourmet Japanese cuisine upon tables caped with a warm arrangement of pastels and pinks. The smell of the ocean breeze and florals swaying in the wind completed this magical oasis. 

Surrounded by candles, the three-tier cake was perfect, frosted in pearls with a delicate display of light pink and white flowers, all covered in rich frosting.

The photographer Andrew Bayda captured so many magical moments with the help of the photographer Angelica Maria capturing every little detail.” 

So, there you have it! A stunning destination wedding to honor Jon and Valeria’s love for California went off practically without a hitch. Most importantly, the couple felt overwhelmingly impressed and joyful with how the day turned out.

“It was so special,” Valeria says, “…breathtaking views, beautiful florals, amazing food… what else can you ask for?”

Vendors: Photography: Andrew Bayda; Planning: Best Bride; Venue: Nobu (Malibu); Tableware Rentals: Something Borrowed Party Rentals; Floral Design: Butterfly Floral & Event Design; DJ: DJ Shad; Cake: Roobina; Dress Designer: Zuhair Murad