Meeting Cate and Donald for the first time was like reconnecting with two old friends. We love so many of the same things, and it was easy to relate to each other and difficult to stop talking when we had to get down to planning their wedding. Yamashiro, overlooking all of Hollywood, was the spectacular location for this intimate wedding. The guests gathered in the Japanese Garden to see the two lovers who were absolutely made for each other tie the knot.
As their photographer, John and Videographer Matt, took Cate and Donald to the most picturesque locations within the garden, the guests enjoyed an unbelievable spread of appetizers prepared and served by the amazing staff at Yamashiro. (The plant based burgers were the hit of the night!) Sidney and her staff at the restaurant also quickly turned around the ceremony area to prepare it for the reception. When the guests were invited back in, Cate and Donald appeared on the far end of the Garden, paused for a photo, and made their way up to the dance floor where they had their first dance as husband and wife. Half way through, they invited everyone to join them, and the dance floor was absolutely packed for the first (of many) times that evening.
Cate and Donald did not want a lot of formalities. In fact, they wanted the night to be simple and sweet (like them.) However, they had two people to say thank you to…their moms. (Especially Cate’s mom, Mary, who helped plan the entire evening from the get go!) Once they had their special dance, the dance floor was once again filled by a eager-to-party group of revelers.
The dance floor stayed packed until the very end of the evening when Cate and Donald shared their last slow song of the night with all their guests still surrounding them. In fact, there were more guests present than we started with, once you add in the group of party crashers from the restaurant who couldn’t resist the awesome party they were witnessing and joined in the fun. The night was closed out with everyone belting out Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. It was a spectacle to behold. Oh, and did I mention this all happened on a Thursday night? (Mic Drop!)
Dave’s recommended vendors for this wedding are:
- Yamashiro Hollywood – www.yamashirohollywood.com
- Dlugolecki Photography – www.dlugophoto.zenfolio.com
- Matrimony Event Cinematography – www.matrimonypictures.com