After meeting through mutual friends at Oktoberfest in Europe, while both Cayla Richards and Corey Roth were studying abroad, the UCLA students became friends. Cayla developed a crush on Corey over the course of the weekend, but their romance didn’t finally begin until five years later when Corey moved back to Los Angeles and they ran into each other at a party. “He asked me out on a date that night and we’ve been together ever since!” remembers Cayla. Once Corey proposed while the two were on their favorite hike in Brentwood enjoying a gorgeous view of the cityscape, Cayla, without a doubt, happily agreed. 

Planning for their wedding with almost 200 guests did not feel daunting for the bride, as her two older sisters had already wed so she was familiar with the process, plus she enlisted the professional guidance of planner Jonathan Reeves of International Event Company. “It was relatively easy, and we owe it all to Jonathan and his team, as well as all our vendors,” tells Cayla. 

The betrothed desired to host the celebration at a local venue, so their loved ones didn’t have to travel. Quickly eliminating outdoor sites in Malibu because they wanted to avoid noise restrictions, they decided on a luxurious hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills. “We liked the idea of being at a hotel, so we could hang by the pool with friends throughout the weekend and not need to drive anywhere,” shares Cayla.

Collections of impressive neutral-hued flowers and verdure adorned the aisle and a grand floral-filled chuppah was crafted to perfection for the alfresco ceremony. In lieu of a full bridal party, the couple’s nieces and nephews preceded the bride to the tunes of favorite contemporary songs played by a live string quartet. “The music they played sounded beautiful,” describes the groom, who helped to curate the entertainment for the day. 

Escorted by her mother and father, Cayla made her grand entrance to the song “Yellow” by Coldplay wearing a figure-hugging lace gown featuring an illusion deep V-neck paired with a classic cathedral veil. She carried a lovely nosegay of blooms that were arranged to look freshly picked from the garden. 

“We gravitated toward neutral colors and very natural, beautiful floral arrangements.”

Though primarily a traditional Jewish service, the couple opted for a modern touch and shared personal vows with one another. “It was scary to be so vulnerable in front of our friends and family, but it was my favorite part of the ceremony by far,” confides Cayla. The organic, elegant style of the nuptials carried over to the cocktail hour, where wood-based furniture in pale shades was situated not only for guests’ comfort, but to encourage maximum mingling amongst family and friends.

A romantic, timeless décor concept was executed in the ballroom of the luxury venue. “We gravitated toward neutral colors and very natural, beautiful floral arrangements,” details Cayla of their tablescapes. Stoneware charger plates, gilt flatware, and blush tealight vessels complemented the full floral bunches – in all white with subtle pops of pink – nestled in the center of each table. 

Before Cayla changed into a short minidress for a night full of dancing, the bride and groom were lifted into the air for a customary Jewish horah. “It was so fun!” exclaims the new Mrs. Roth. “It was really important to me that the flow of the night was seamless. I wanted to make it so that guests had the best experience, that they always had a drink in their hand and food nearby,” expresses Corey, who was delighted with his choice of band and DJ. “My advice would be to find some aspects you are passionate about and take ownership of those things if your fiancée is coordinating all the other logistics.”

Although hearing Corey’s vows was truly special to the bride, she shares her other favorite moment: “Just being on the dance floor and looking around and seeing all our favorite people celebrating with us was a once-in-a-lifetime event,” explains Cayla. “It’s pretty unbelievable, and I just felt so loved and supported and happy… it was the perfect night!”

This real wedding was originally published in the Summer 2024 expanded-digital issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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