“When Andy and I met, there were immediate sparks,” shares Alexis Campbell of her husband Andrew Bremner. They quickly became good friends and then dated for two years, frequenting Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica for date nights, where they would have dinner at the restaurant or a margarita and old fashioned at the lounge. 

A fitting venue, the seaside hotel became the site of their upcoming nuptials, and their favorite drinks were offered as signature cocktails at their wedding. “There was a sense of nostalgia and reminders all weekend long of how well we’d built our foundation and the beautiful memories we’ve shared in this special place,” the bride shares. 

Before the planning began, however, Andy first had to propose. While walking along the beach in Malibu on Valentine’s Day, he got down on one knee and asked Alexis to be his forever. “It had been the first time I felt true elation since my mom had passed, and I still felt like the luckiest girl in the world,” confirms the bride. 

“While there are so many things that my mom can no longer witness here on this earth with me, my engagement was not one of them… While she had been gone for nearly two months, she knew it was happening so soon; she was so excited,” she adds. “Every day I am so honored and blessed to be wearing this beautiful ring that means so much: a symbol of my mom’s love and support that will be with me until the end of time and a symbol of my union with the most loving and caring man I have ever met.” 

Since it would be a destination wedding for most of their guests, Alexis and Andy focused on their guests’ experience throughout the planning process, inviting everyone to attend a celebratory welcome party in lieu of a traditional rehearsal dinner to ensure they spent adequate time with their loved ones and incorporating special extras along the way. “They came from all over to celebrate just us two, and the encouragement to spend time with our guests and make sure it was a wonderful experience for them was the best advice,” she describes. 

“Even before I met my now husband, I knew whites, creams, and neutrals would be the focus colors for my wedding.”

The day began with a traditional ceremony at the same church where the couple attends mass on Sundays. Alexis was the epitome of elegance and grace as she made her way down the aisle in a sleek, modern gown featuring a notched neckline, carrying a bouquet of crisp white anthuriums and orchids as her cathedral veil trailed gracefully behind. 

Bridesmaids were stunning in silver one-shouldered gowns, while Andy and his groomsmen were handsome in smart black tuxedos. Once Alexis and Andy were pronounced husband and wife, friends and family made their way to the couple’s special place for the sophisticated hotel reception. 

“We did a ballroom reveal, just us two, while our guests were at cocktail hour, and when the doors opened to that room, I immediately broke down in tears. All of our hard work had come to fruition, and it was even better than I had imagined,” remembers the bride of the special moment. They even made time for a private first dance, alone in the ballroom together, before their guests entered. “I fell even more in love with my husband in that moment, and I didn’t even think that was possible,” Alexis adds. 

To fit the bride’s vision, the entire ballroom was covered with white carpeting, and soft drapery was installed along each wall. “Even before I met my now husband, I knew whites, creams, and neutrals would be the focus colors for my wedding,” notes Alexis. The elegant color palette was complemented with glass and delicate hints of greenery, champagne, and gold to bring contrast and dimension to the space. 

“I wanted a romantic and timeless feel with modern details that showcased clean lines and structured edges,” she adds. White-and-gold chairs surrounded tablescapes highlighting towering centerpieces that incorporated white roses, orchids, and baby’s breath and accents of glimmering candles in varying heights for an ethereal display. 

After dinner, attendees enjoyed slices of a beautiful contemporary cake, followed by a welcome late-night snack. “McDonald’s is my guilty pleasure, and while I am a healthy eater and avid Pilates girl, anyone who knows me knows my love for the golden arches,” explains the bride. During the last hour of the reception, guests savored cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and “the best French fries in the world” served on silver platters on the dance floor to fuel them into the after-party that continued the best day for as long as possible.

Some of the links included may be affiliate; however, everything we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. When you make a purchase, we may receive revenue. Thank you for your support!