While visiting a friend in Seattle, Washington, California-native Kelli Malin probably wasn’t expecting to meet anyone special. However, while the two girls spent time at a dive bar one evening, Kelli’s friend grabbed the attention of Anthony Drobnick, as “she was trying to embarrass me,” remembers Kelli. However, her plan fortunately backfired, and the pair exchanged phone numbers and soon became an item. When it came time for Anthony to pop the question, he wanted to do so in an unforgettable way. “We were on a flight and he got on the intercom,” laughs the bride. “He made me walk down the [plane] aisle!” 

Though the two currently reside in Seattle, Kelli dreamed of hosting their nuptials in her hometown in Southern California. “He wanted an ocean view and I wanted the Spanish architecture of San Diego,” she reveals. Per their desires, they combined their tastes and selected a seaside hotel venue in La Jolla, California. The ceremony space was simply adorned as not to detract from the vista of the Pacific Ocean. Two vessels of vibrant florals – connected by a light blush bench covered in various flower petals – bedecked either end of the altar. The couple's 125 guests watched as the groom and his groomsmen, all smartly dressed in classic black tuxedos, filed in. The men were followed closely by Kelli’s six bridesmaids, who sported long, flowing, navy gowns and carried bright clusters of pink, orange, yellow, and white blossoms. The bride made her grand entrance in a stunning A-line gown with lace straps and a sweetheart neckline. 

After their short-and-sweet vow exchange, everyone – including the newlyweds – adjourned to enjoy cocktail hour. It was quickly apparently to attendees that the wedding preparation had been a family affair. “My mom did a lot of work with the vendors, since she was local, and designed and created welcome bags for the out-of-town guests, and my sister did numerous crafts as well as the calligraphy,” Kelli muses. One of the unique elements of the day came through the name plates at each setting for the reception: all were made in the style of painted tiles, complementing the colorful array of blooms adorning each tablescape, which either rested in gilt candelabra or in smaller vases. The bride and groom had clearly achieved the “Spanish romance” motif they desired. “I loved walking into the ballroom for the first time and seeing nine months of hard work,” Kelli says. Friends and family nibbled on the classic three-tier wedding cake and danced the night away with light-up glow sticks. The bride even shared a dance with her precious flower girl before departing with her new husband.