A floral canopy of marigolds, at once both chuppah and mandap, in auburn California light.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We live in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, with our dog Louie. Nick is a high school English teacher and poet (debut book, Scrap Book, coming June 2026!), and Sage owns and leads her own brand strategy consultancy out of our home. We’re happiest reading by some body of water, swimming in a salty sea, sharing coffee or wine, cooking big meals for big gatherings of family and friends, walking new cities and trails we walk every day. Nick loves to run and often stays up late writing and editing. Sage falls asleep and wakes early, and loves making super creative ice cream cakes for her loved ones’ special occasions.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met in May of 2015 on Home Avenue in Middletown, Connecticut – in the home of a friend, because of a friend. Sage’s best friend attended Wesleyan with Nick – and it was their graduation weekend, as well as her dad’s 30th-year reunion. We didn’t say much to each other the first time we met; in fact, Nick barely said a word. He was intimidated; Sage was exhausted from her tour of celebrating graduations after hers. But there was a feeling.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
Because we were officially married almost nine months prior to our wedding celebration (in a small civil ceremony with our immediate family), we wanted to dispense with the rigours of a traditional wedding ceremony and wedding. Instead, we decided to blend our cultural, familial traditions, and design and curate our Summer Solstice wedding to be less of a celebration of us and more of a celebration of all the wonderful people – past, present, future – that make us, us. Who love us, support us, and enrich our lives as a couple and individuals. We wanted the night to feel abundant, authentic, and inviting to our loved ones, just as the solstice invites us to step outside with the people most dear to us and savour the long summer light.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
Our vision for an abundance of light and love was realised in so many details – big and small. Tables overflowing with fruit floral arrangements; mangos for Sage’s nani, strawberries and raspberries for her father’s parents, whole melons for Nick’s grandmother Marie. A floral canopy of marigolds, at once both chuppah and mandap, in auburn California light. Getting married beneath the reaching arms of a honey mesquite tree by Sage’s brother, Caleb. A garden teeming with cacti and succulents, pink walls and napkins, and platters of scallop tostadas and mezcal margaritas. A family dinner of butterflied branzinos, banquet tables crowded with people, food, wine, and laughter.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Planning our ceremony was particularly meaningful to us, and out of all the aspects of the wedding, we really worked the hardest, together, at this. We wanted the blending of cultures, traditions, and rituals to feel intentional, patterned, dynamic, and inclusive. There was the throwing of rice and marigolds, processional music sung by Sage’s aunt and cousins. Christian hymns and marriage prayers. A nod to Nick’s heritage when his father described—and demonstrated—the Italian football weddings he grew up with, a tradition particular to large Italian-American families who would prepare large sub sandwiches for the reception and wrap them in butcher paper so that they could be thrown down banquet tables to hungry wedding guests. Sage’s best friend led the tying of the mangal sutra. The ceremony closed with the Hindu tradition of Saptapadi—seven steps the couple take around a sacred fire, which Sage’s mom and uncle reimagined beautifully—followed by the exchanging of vows and the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass.
Our advice to other couples is don’t start with what you think a wedding should be or what you should copy – start with what you want your wedding to feel like and what you want to create. Don’t be afraid to do things differently.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Every single one of our vendors was amazing – and the event would not have been what it was without them. The team at Loreto was incredible, and they truly poured their hearts into making the day and night so perfect. Puni of Puni Petals went above our wildest dreams with the fruit arrangements and fruit seating chart – I wish I could go back and stare and admire every arrangement. But thankfully for Taylor Mosby, our incredible photographer, we have images that capture the magic of the day and all the light. And for that, we are forever thankful.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
Sage wore a hand-made, custom crochet dress, the colour of creamy coffee, and Nick his wide-legged favourite linen suit. Sage never imagined herself in a white dress or anything traditional and instead opted for something that felt like her – but special. Nick wore the same suit he wore to our civil ceremony because why buy a suit you absolutely love but only wear once?
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Sage’s engagement ring is Nick’s great-grandmother’s. Before he proposed, Sage had never seen it or known it existed. Nick chose not to change any original detail, and for that, Sage is so happy. We designed our wedding bands for Gia at Unearthen in Highland Park, LA. Sage wanted a simple, organic gold band that would contrast her white gold engagement ring, but with one special detail: a single, off-centre diamond. Nick opted for a similar organic gold ring but with a secret emerald gem on the inside: a stone of enduring love.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
The food and drinks at Loreto were so worth it. We chose one of our favourite neighbourhood restaurants (10 minutes away from our house) because of that, so we weren’t going to skimp. Plus, part of the experience of coming to LA is good food. Our night was made when Nick’s dad came up to us and told us he thought he had eaten a whole tray of the tuna bites, and Sage’s uncle said the scallop tostada was one of the best scallops he’d ever had. We truly feasted on apps until churros and carajillos. And the cocktails, we told everyone they had to try every single one. We also had a mezcal and tequila tasting bar to fuel the dancing, which was a big hit.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Exchanging our vows in front of all of our loved ones is a moment we won’t ever forget. Also, the dance floor, we had so much fun on the dance floor. We dance our hearts out.
BRIDE Sage, @sagechodosh GROOM Nick, @field_book LOCATION Loreto, @loreto_frogtown PHOTOGRAPHER Taylor Mosby Photo, @taylormosbyphoto VIDEOGRAPHER Super 8 – Lauren Lotz, @laurenlotzweddings PLANNER Claudia Casanova, @casanovadarling FLORIST Puni Petals, @puni.petals ENTERTAINMENT Second Song, @secondsong_official CATERING, LA CHURROS & CAKE Loreto, @loreto_frogtown STATIONERY Minted, @minted SIGNAGE By the bride; Welcome Sign – By the bride’s bestfriends ENGAGEMENT RING Heirloom from groom’s great grandmother WEDDING RINGS Unearthen, @unearthen BRIDE’S DRESS Custom Made – Alejandro Alanso Rojas, @alejandraalonsorojas BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Mangal Sutra – Handmade by the bride’s mother; Bracelet – Heirloom from bride’s paternal grandmother HAIR & MAKEUP Angeleno Beauty, @angelenobeauty BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Bodha Air Perfume Oil, @bodha GROOM’S SHOES Evan Kinori, @evankinori GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Saint Rita Parlor, @saintritaparlor
