Stephanie Perez, well into her first trimester of pregnancy, was in no mood for a date night. Her beau, Branden Hampton, was insistent the two go out for an evening on the town, but Stephanie had been feeling ill more often than not. “He finally gave up and proposed at home,” jokes Stephanie. The busy pair, who work together as successful social-media influencers, had the chance to design their perfect wedding during a five-year engagement – ample time to figure out exactly what one wants in a celebration. “We used teamwork throughout the process – we didn’t have one single argument!” exclaims Branden.
With the help of their expert wedding planner, Loriann Serna of Wife of the Party, they crafted an event that fit their larger-than-life personalities, starting with the multiple locations of the celebration. “We wanted a beautiful area that we could mold to fit our exact specifications,” explains the bride of their final decision to include three venues throughout the big day. Adds the groom, “The detail that went into each space was incredible.”
On a misty October morning, 109 friends and family arrived at Stephanie and Branden’s ceremony, held at a breathtaking Beverly Hills mansion. Simple wooden chairs were arranged to face a beautiful copper fountain in the courtyard. The aisle – leading up to a collection of vintage-inspired vessels covered in blooms – was lined with pastel-hued floral arrangements. The beautiful bride, clad in a custom-made fitted gown with a sweetheart neckline, intricate beading, and a voluminous overskirt leading into a train, stole the show as she gracefully walked through the space to meet her groom. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t seem to match her radiant glow. “It rained,” admits Branden. However, he says, “Rain is good luck, and that notion hasn’t been wrong since!”
Following the heartfelt service, which included special moments with their three children, guests were asked to make their way to the secondary venue: a chic and modern hotel in the middle of West Hollywood. Dinner was held on the rooftop and guests found their table assignment from obsidian name plates displayed on a marsala-colored escort-card wall, which also featured the reception menu on a grand marble piece. White tablescapes showcased deep purple linens, fall-inspired floral arrangements, and gilt charger plates. Place settings also included the name of each reveler, etched into a marble geometric shape that complemented the contemporary motif. The space embodied a warm, yet sophisticated, autumn glow that acted as an idyllic backdrop for the five-star meal. “We put each color on a vision board to map out how it flowed with the event,” explains Stephanie.
Once everyone had enjoyed the menu selections, guests were led downstairs to the ballroom for continued merriment. Stylish lounge spaces featuring white furniture and colorful accents of eggplant and silver surrounded the reflective dance floor. Relatives and friends could sidle up to the bar for a refreshing cocktail, nibble on a slice of the artfully crafted wedding cake featuring chocolate and lemon flavors, or even grab a personalized “Hampton” cookie from the dessert table. “Every minute of the wedding, including details such as when we would walk somewhere, when streamers would fly, and when photos were taken, was planned down to a science,” shares the groom. “It made the whole experience amazing.”