Though Esti Ross and Justin Marvisi both grew up in New York, attended Cornell University, and were members of a respective sorority and fraternity located directly next to one another, they didn’t meet until they had each relocated to Los Angeles, California. After finally meeting on a dating app, the pair felt immediately at ease with each other. “It just clicked,” smiles Esti. 

Further along into their relationship when they were living together, one day Justin pretended to be sick in order to lure Esti back to their apartment immediately after work. “I had to last-minute cancel my workout to get home, and I was so worried about him,” remembers Esti. “I walked into our apartment and was blown away!” Not only did she find Justin healthy, he had arranged a beautiful proposal setup with candles and over 2,000 rose petals. “The next day, he took me to Palm Springs where my whole family was hiding, along with Justin’s family,” she muses. “It was the best way to celebrate!” 

When beginning to organize the details of their big day, Esti and Justin made one of the best decisions of their wedding-planning process by hiring Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events to plan their celebration. Since their initial plans changed due to Covid, the couple was even more grateful to have an esteemed professional by their side. “I wouldn’t have been able to get through the planning and re-planning process without her,” shares Esti. “She really went above and beyond and knew every single detail.” 

Though they had originally began to organize a 225-person wedding at a resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the pandemic forced Esti and Justin to transition their large wedding to a 60-person backyard celebration at the home of the groom’s uncle in Beverly Hills. Thankfully, the venue allowed the couple to stick to the vision Esti had dreamed of all along. “I wanted tropical, romantic garden vibes,” describes the bride of the theme, which was first introduced by way of a gorgeous invitation suite featuring illustrations of bright florals and tropical monstera leaves arranged in a hot-pink envelope. 

“I wanted tropical, romantic garden vibes!”

On the day of the spring wedding ceremony, the alfresco space was filled with voluminous florals in varying pink tones. Guests were seated atop white chairs facing the magnificent chuppah, which was adorned with hundreds of blooms in shades of pink and ivory. Similar floral compilations were placed atop acrylic stands along the aisleway to add a modern feel. The bride was stunning in a ball gown featuring off-the-shoulder straps and fanciful floral appliqués as she walked down the wood-plank aisle to meet her groom. Since her grandfather was in the hospital at the time, the couple made sure to incorporate his tallit during the Jewish ceremony, which included a heartfelt, personal vow exchange. 

Once Esti and Justin were pronounced husband and wife, friends and family enjoyed a poolside cocktail hour. An escort-card display wall showcasing a neon sign reading “The Marvisis” led loved ones to their table assignments by way of tags on vases filled with punchy florals. Each guest’s place setting presented a silver-rimmed charger plate topped with a vibrant menu card featuring the same floral print as the invitations, which complemented the peachy tones of the table arrangements. Short floral centerpieces displayed lush blossoms in hues of peach, pink, and white, along with fresh greenery. The bride and groom were seated across the pool at an elegant sweetheart table decorated with pillar candles and similar blooms that graced both the top and base of the table. 

“We had a huge spread of American and Persian food since my husband is Persian,” notes the bride of the delectable fare presented to guests. “We also had a huge sushi bar because we love sushi so much.” As if the dinner service was not enough to satisfy their attendees, slices of a simple three-tier wedding cake decorated with flowers were provided, as well as an exceptional dessert table offering a vast selection of colorful sweets displayed on mirrored tables decorated with fresh pink peonies. 

Though the big day wasn’t what they initially imagined, the reimagined celebration was not only stunning but also a wonderful experience for the newlyweds and their guests. For couples faced with challenges throughout the planning process, Esti urges: “Be willing to pivot. I had to in a big way when we had to postpone our wedding the first time and reimagine how our wedding would look – everything from the people invited to the location,” she shares. “Once you go through all of those changes, you start to realize that all that matters is the person you are marrying, and no matter what it will be amazing.”