Remembering how her mother is always reminding her to be open to things she wouldn’t normally, Lauren Gallo decided to accept the blind date her friend Erica had set up for her with Anthony Rodriguez. “I am glad I went into it with an open mind and heart. He was such a gentleman, and I was really attracted to his character, his openness about values, and his tremendous care for his family,” Lauren confides. 

Prior to Anthony planning his proposal, he was sure to secure the blessing of her parents. “I carefully penned two heartfelt letters on stationery – one in English and another in Italian requesting Lauren’s hand in marriage,” he shares. Upon Lauren returning to their home from a trip, she discovered roses all over the room and thought to herself: He really missed me while I was gone. “And then he got down on one knee… and I don’t remember the rest,” she tells of the special moment. 

Over the next year, the couple planned for an elegant affair with over 175 loved ones. They desired a timeless venue that they could visit often in the future to celebrate milestones and settled on a luxurious, historic hotel in Los Angeles. Lauren and Anthony sought out professionals to help guide them through the process, and the bride admits, “Bob Gail as our planners were absolute game changers. They knew the venue which helped tremendously to nail down every detail with absolute precision.” 

Anthony was very involved with the planning. “He really loved coordinating together to make sure we both were felt throughout the entire experience of the day. I come from an Italian family and his family is Cuban, so we wanted to make sure both of our heritages were incorporated,” shares Lauren. They opted not to have a traditional bridal party and instead invited their closest friends to join them in getting ready and suggested a special wedding-attire color palette for those who wanted to participate. 

Lauren describes the inspiration behind their décor concept as “the perfect blend of Sofia Coppola’s modern vision and Martin Scorsese’s storytelling prowess… our wedding transported everyone to the enchanting Amalfi Coast while embracing the vibrant atmosphere of California.” The theme seamlessly merged Italian and Cuban cultures, paying homage to the couple’s diverse backgrounds and created a fusion of flavors, traditions, and musical performances. 

“Our wedding transported everyone to the enchanting Amalfi Coast while embracing the vibrant atmosphere of California.”

As the bride got ready for the ceremony, she began receiving hourly gifts from her beloved. “Each piece was a poignant emblem of our shared journey, and accompanying these gifts were his vows, delicately inscribed on paper,” she describes. “It was such a heartfelt gesture.” 

They exchanged vows at the property’s renowned Swan Lake boasting natural lush verdure and added white florals intertwined into the gazebo, and the result was magical. Lauren was perfectly dressed in a sophisticated off-the-shoulder gown featuring an A-line skirt. She carried a feminine nosegay that looked as if it was freshly picked from the garden, while it also mimicked the designs of the centerpieces seen later in the evening. 

The reception was bedecked with timeless details including a citrus motif that appeared on place cards and other customized signage. Fresh lemons complemented stunning displays of cascading white, yellow, and pink florals, as well as whimsical, individual arrangements crafted entirely of the vibrant yellow fruit for which the Amalfi Coast is known. Round tables covered in heavy, luxurious fabrics from Luxe Linen were set with light-blue charger plates presented with personalized menus that listed the fare for the sit-down dinner. 

A beautiful traditional Italian wedding cake – millefoglie (meaning “1,000 layers”) – was assembled right in front of guests by executive pastry chef Christophe Rull, as he wheeled out a large table and built each layer in an artistic style. The layers were delicious alternating patterns of Chantilly cream, puff pastries, and fresh berries, and the confection was topped with powdered sugar. 

After the impressive display of dessert, family and friends were treated to a live Cuban salsa band. “They ignited the air with passionate beats!” illustrates the bride of the late-night revelry. Anthony confirms of the wedding day: “It was absolutely perfect.”

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

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