On a beach picnic to celebrate their fifth dating anniversary, Jordan Masanque gave Aileen Nguyen a View-Master slide projector with reels from their five years together. “He narrated as I went through the photos, recounting our trips and adventures,” remembers Aileen. After the last reel, he handed her a blank reel with a piece of paper that read “5 years down” on one side and a handmade paper box on the other reading “and forever to go.” “Out fell an engagement ring,” smiles the bride. She, of course, said yes. 

The Bay Area-based couple knew they wanted to get married in Southern California, even having a few vendors in mind at the start of the wedding-planning process. “I was set on an outdoor venue and gravitated towards vineyards with an open feel,” describes Aileen of her vision. “I wanted a soft, romantic, ethereal feel with pastels like blush pinks and powder blues.” The color palette was introduced in an elegant invitation suite featured deckled-edge stationery, chiffon ribbon, a personalized map of the destination, and a golden wax seal. 

Guests gathered for the alfresco ceremony with a view of Malibu’s picturesque mountain canyons. They were seated atop wooden X-back vineyard chairs with vanilla-toned cushions, which faced the gorgeous ceremony arch highlighting textural greenery and clusters of pastel seasonal blooms arranged in a romantic garden style. Aileen was stunning in an ethereal gown featuring an illusion bodice with a plunging neckline as she approached her groom, who was dapper in a light grey suit with a dusty-blue tie. 

To ensure the day felt personalized and honored their love story, one of Jordan’s groomsmen shared a reading and the heartfelt ceremony was officiated by one of Aileen’s best friends, who was also a bridesmaid. She even remembered that Jordan had jotted down a few of Aileen’s favorite things on a Post-it® note after their first date to ensure he wouldn’t forget anything, so she asked him to bring it to the ceremony to show the audience when she recounted the detail. 

“My heart was full seeing all our favorite people in one place celebrating us.”

Following the “I dos,” guests enjoyed an alfresco cocktail hour complete with an array of specialty cocktails served from a wooden bar as well as passed hors d’oeuvres. Before the dinner reception began, loved ones approached the towering escort-card display, which showcased envelopes arranged in an ombré design. Envelope held cards detailing each guest’s designated table name, which was the title of one of the couple’s favorite songs, in lieu of a traditional number. 

The celebration continued outdoors, with rectangular wooden tables adorned with soft blush runners and lush floral centerpieces composed of seasonal pastel blooms and textural greenery in ceramic vases. Each attendee’s place setting featured modern white-and-gold flatware, blush wine glasses with gilt rims, and a menu detailing the New-American fare with Asian influences that also served as a place card attached with a wax seal reminiscent of their invitation suite. 

To honor their cultures, Aileen and Jordan changed into their respective traditional Vietnamese and Filipino outfits for the table-greeting portion of the evening. The rest of the night was filled with revelry, and additional entertainment provided by a live art station allowed attendees to get their portraits done by a watercolor artist. One of the couple’s favorite moments was after they made their grand entrance and asked their guests to join them on the dance floor. “My heart was full seeing all our favorite people in one place celebrating us,” Aileen confirms.

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