Rainbow Parasol Wedding: Xanthe + Ethan

rainbow parisols wedding

When Xanthe set out to choose her wedding colors, she found it impossible to choose just one. Instead she wanted a rainbow. :) From Xanthe, “I work in advertising as a creative director so I’m surrounded by pop culture. I love easily accessible, friendly design and after looking at hundreds of invitations and designing several of my own variations, I finally stopped trying to imitate the trendy invitations and do something that felt like us. We’re pretty low-key and we have a wide range of friends. We felt like the rainbow of polka dots represented our friends and family who are all bright spots of color in our lives.” Love it. Why limit your color palette?! And I also love that instead of bouquets, each of her bridesmaids carried a parasol! So super fun + a perfect way to add a really cool rainbow of color. :) Thanks so much to Christian Cruz for the photos!

rainbow parisols wedding

rainbow bridesmaid heels

groomsmen

rainbow bridesmaid parisols

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Here Comes My Girl by Tom Petty

Recessional: Here's to Now by Ugly Casanova

First Dance: Turn Me On by Nina Simone

outdoor ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding ceremony

rainbow wedding bride and groom

rainbow wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

The most memorable moment of my wedding day actually came after the date itself. I found out later that I was two months pregnant the day I got married so I look back at all the photos with even more joy knowing that our little girl Charlotte was growing inside me at the time.

I love that their reception was held at one of their (and ours!) fave restaurants here in Culver City, CA – Akasha.

succulent centerpieces

succulent centerpieces

succulent centerpieces

succulent centerpieces

succulent centerpieces

pick your poison favors

guest book rainbow

bunny cake topper

bunny cake topper

first dance rainbow wedding

first dance rainbow wedding


Green Wedding Shoes was a huge inspiration to me planning the wedding and I would just love to say how much I admire the creativity and design sense of the weddings featured on the site. I was really inspired by all of the DIY possibilities and I had a blast planning and art directing the whole thing. Even after the fact, I still check back on the site just to oooh and awee about all the cool choices people make. Weddings are such a great opportunity to formally show the world who you are through your style, food and friends. I wish everyone reading this site an incredible wedding day and hope it was as memorable as ours.

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

There is always a way to do what you want to do in a cost-effective way. Create your vision as you want it to be - pull all the reference and inspiration - but then analyze each area to figure out the least expensive way to do it.

The other piece of advice I'd give to those planning their weddings now is BE YOURSELF. Weddings are so laden with tradition that it's hard to find areas to let your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to buck tradition. I worried about what people would think by not doing flower bouquets for the bridesmaids but instead doing parasols. It turned out to be the standout visual statement of the wedding - most people came up to me at the reception saying they'd love the parasols the most out of anything at the wedding.

photography: Christian Cruz Photography // venue name: Akasha Restaurant // florals: Bride, Xanthe Wells // hair stylist: Stephanie Mcmanus // makeup artist: Stephanie Mcmanus // paper goods: Bride, Xanthe Wells // catering: Akasha Restaurant // cake: Akasha Restaurant // coordinator: Angela Scher of Love and Elegance Weddings // ceremony venue: Temescal Canyon Gateway Park // hotel for bridal party: Culver Hotel // bride's dress: Rosa Clara II, The White Dress // groom & groomsmen suits: Men's Wearhouse // bridesmaid's dress: J.Crew // parasols: Luna Bazaar // ceremony musicians: Dylan Trees

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