Their story kicked off with a transatlantic leap of faith. When Alain-Sam boarded a flight from San Francisco to Paris to meet Elisa, a girl he’d met from afar through a mutual friend, he may not have guessed he was flying to meet his future wife. With an epic tale of love like this, a standard, local celebration wouldn’t do Elisa and Alain-Sam’s story justice. Instead, they selected a Southern California wedding at The Villa at Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

Hosting a destination wedding allowed the couple to turn their vows into an extended getaway for their international guest list. “We loved the idea of bringing together everyone we loved in a place that feels special to us,” Elisa says. “A destination wedding made it more than just a single day; it became a shared experience, a few days where everyone could slow down, celebrate, and truly be present with us.”

Finding the right setting, however, happened in a cinematic twist of fate. After touring dozens of venues across the city without finding the right match, the couple had accepted their losses on the final day in the LA area. That’s when a last-minute recommendation redirected them to the perfect venue. “We visited countless venues, but there was always something that didn’t feel quite right,” Elisa says. “We managed to arrange a visit at the very last minute, on the same day as our departure. When we arrived, we instantly knew we would get married there. There was a timeless charm to it. It instantly reminded us of a Nancy Meyers movie, romantic, warm, and effortlessly beautiful.”

Taking on the role of creative director, Elisa developed a complete brand identity for the wedding weekend called “The Cali Club,” blending French sophistication with West Coast ease. She designed the details of the brand identity, creating custom matchbooks, printed pouches, playing cards, embroidered bucket hats, and custom-minted cookies.

“All of these elements brought such a personal dimension to the day,” Elisa says. “It allowed me to express something I love deeply, designing and creating, and it almost felt like building our own little wedding brand. Every detail mattered, and our guests really felt it.”

Of course, executing such an intricate vision from a distance required strategic planning beyond the adorable details. Frequent long weekend trips to California allowed the couple to schedule tastings and floral mockups in person, while Martina Di Napoli of Storia Mia Events did the heavy lifting as far as planning the logistics and coordinating vendor communications. Plus, connecting with their wedding day creative team early, including photographer Claire Eyos and videographers Guerin Paris, had Alain-Sam and Elisa feeling confident it would all come together nicely from the start.

“One of the biggest things we learned was how important it is to surround yourself with the right people,” Elisa says. “Having a team you trust makes everything feel so much smoother and allows you to truly enjoy the process.”

The wedding day itself began with an emotional ceremony with beautiful Jewish traditions. Florist Emma Seitz of Leta Verbena set the scene by framing the aisle with two Roman-style columns topped with lush arrangements, scattering delicate shells (the couple’s wedding emblem) and soft petals along the path.

Underneath a delicately draped white chuppah, surrounded by their club of family and close friends, the couple exchanged vows, recited blessings and broke the glass. “We kept everything simple, elegant, and very true to who we are, which made the moment feel authentic,” Elisa says.

After the ceremony, guests moved into the open-air courtyard for the reception, where the venue’s central stone fountain had been transformed into a sculptural floral centerpiece featuring deep burgundy and crisp white tones. Table numbers were replaced with names of the couple’s favorite Los Angeles haunts, and a custom cake by Salam Tak mirrored the estate’s classic architecture.

Between the heartfelt toasts and late-night dancing around the fountain, the day concluded with the exact blend of warmth, style, and togetherness Elisa and Alain-Sam had envisioned from day one.

Vendors: Photographer: Claire Eyos; Wedding Planner: Storia Mia Events; Venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch; Florist: Leta Verbena; Catering: Salam Tak; Makeup: Alison; Hair: Dana Winshman; Grooms’ Clothing Designer: Gambler; Videography: Guerin Paris