“I should have known something was up when Michael [Botti] introduced Matt as ‘the best person on the planet’… not information you require when meeting someone for a networking lunch!” laughs successful entertainment attorney Lauren Partipilo, who first met her future husband, film and television producer Matt Schwartz, in connection with a potential client. “After a solid two hours, neither of us ever got to actually discussing any business whatsoever.” Matt admits he couldn’t help but be enamored with Lauren, who he found to be incredibly smart, funny, and interesting. 

“We had everything in common… I had to constantly remind myself that this was a business meeting, not a date – even though I wanted it to be – and Lauren was in a relationship.” Four months later and newly single, Lauren reached out to Matt over social media. “She thought she ‘saw me at Barry’s Bootcamp,’ which I still say is bullshit, and she still professes is the truth,” smiles Matt. One lovely date turned into two, and by then, Matt already knew it would not be long before he would propose. 

Matt was sure to obtain the blessing of Lauren’s family before he got down on one knee. “Lauren is very close to her family, and I knew it would be very important to her and them that I took this step,” he says. As they took a romantic stroll along 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula over Labor Day Weekend while visiting her family, Matt turned to Lauren and professed his love for her. “Listen, Matt is a very gushy and romantic guy, so I didn’t think anything of it, other than capitalizing on a sweet moment,” she recollects. “That’s when he got down on one knee. My immediate response was to scream, ‘Shut the fuck up!’ with excitement.” 

Knowing they wanted an alfresco celebration for the entirety of the event, Lauren and Matt visited a private ranch recommended by their planner, Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events. “We were immediately blown away by the sweeping Tuscan-stone steps leading down to a sprawling, unencumbered polo lawn, and the property is surrounded by beautiful hillside vineyards,” the bride gushes. 

“It was a lot of careful and meticulous planning over an extended period of time, but in the end, it was our perfect wedding and unmistakably us.”

On the beautifully manicured lawn of the estate, wooden X-back chairs were arranged on either side of the aisle dotted with freshly picked bunches of white florals. Lauren was stunning in a timeless gown of silk satin featuring a sweetheart neckline; she carried a lush bouquet of vanilla roses and ranunculuses. Her groom was equally stylish in a custom aubergine tuxedo made complete with a black turkey-feather bow tie and velvet loafers. 

The couple had selected their good friend Josh Feldman to officiate. “He knows us exceptionally well and is brilliant, funny, and emotional,” describes Lauren. “Josh knew we wanted the ceremony to be short, sweet, and would punch you in the gut with love.” The bride and groom had prepared their own vows, and while Matt’s were poetic and passionate, Lauren realized she had forgotten her notes. 

“Looking back, I am so happy it happened that way. At the time – after the initial moment of paralyzing shock – [I was] forced to look out into this crowd of people to find solace. Luckily for me, everyone in those chairs were our best soul companions, and I felt oddly empowered to just let it ride,” confides the bride. “That moment set the tone for the whole night!” 

For the reception, the couple desired a “Modern Tuscan” ambience. “I don’t think that’s a real design category!” the bride admits. “Even so, it came out exactly that: romantic and timeless while still modern and current. We kept with the organic theme of the outdoor setting by using bare farm tables, a ton of multi-tiered candles, and stuck to white floral arrangements with greenery, but edged it up a bit with black plates, smokey glassware, and a gold-accented tabletop.” 

The groom couldn’t be happier with the result of all their planning efforts. From the start, Matt said he wanted the fête to be unique, “bathed in our DNA and wafting our essence into the hearts and minds of our guests from start to finish.” He adds, “It was a lot of careful and meticulous planning over an extended period of time, but in the end, it was our perfect wedding and unmistakably us.” 

Lauren fully credits their wedding planner for the ease in preparing for the big day: “Tessa was a godsend. That is not to say ancillary stress goes out the window, but having a full-service planner you trust implicitly is a game changer.” 

Due to county noise ordinances, no amplified music was permitted after 10PM, so the party turned into a silent disco – where revelers listen to music on wireless headphones. “That was one of my most favorite memories of the whole night. The wind was blowing hard, and everyone just let it go!” remembers the bride of the perfect ending to the fairy-tale day.

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