Cierra + Brett by Vanessa Jane Photography

We really cannot overstate how beautiful Loreto is.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We live in Los Angeles with our cat, Pete. Cierra is a graphic designer for a home decor company, and Brett works in the music department for a film/TV studio. We both grew up in Southern California and are very lucky to call Los Angeles home. In our free time, we love playing music, hanging out in the park, going to movies and baseball games. Our friends are a huge part of our lives, so spending time with them is a priority – whether we’re at our favourite bar, trying new restaurants, or sitting around together. When Brett isn’t playing softball, he’s usually reading or playing guitar. Cierra bakes the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookies and loves swimming laps at the community pool.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We actually went to the same high school, but barely crossed paths while we were there. Our school was big enough that we didn’t truly meet until about a year after we graduated. We were both home from college on summer break, and a mutual friend invited us to a party at their house.

I had always heard how great Cierra was, so I decided it was finally time to introduce myself. We talked about bands that we liked, and some other mutual friends that we shared. She was reserved, but she struck me as the type with a discerning eye – someone who could see exactly whatever was happening and know exactly how she felt about it.

Brett was outgoing and SO nice. He approached with a big smile and treated me like we had known each other forever. I was a little surprised by his friendliness at first, but I couldn’t help but warm up to him almost immediately.

We became fast friends. Years later, at a time when we were both single and both living in the same place, we realised that our friendship had become something more. We finally got together in the spring of 2016.

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).

We really cannot overstate how beautiful Loreto is. From the beginning, we wanted our wedding to emphasise the feeling of a romantic, intimate dinner. To that effect, Loreto could not have been more perfect. Every corner of the restaurant is packed with exceptional design elements: exposed wood ceiling, blue tiled bar, and perfectly landscaped garden. It’s impossible to imagine another venue being as compatible with our plans.

Our planner, Sabrina, did such an amazing job establishing a cohesive vision and executing the concept. She helped us decide on a colour palette that accentuated the warmth of the venue and incorporated pops of earthy and oceanic tones. Chelsea, our florist, magnified the entire vision with stunning arrangements that emphasised our palette – rich greens, bright flashes, even tomatoes!

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Cierra – I really enjoyed the design aspects of planning. With all the other stresses bearing down on you, it’s helpful to find parts of planning that you delight in. For me, that was picking out colours, constructing an overall aesthetic, and imagining how it would all come together. I loved working with our signage designer (Katrina from Goods Gang). I’ve been a fan of hers for years, and I’ve always found her work really inspiring. As far as tips go, I’d say try not to sweat the small stuff. It can feel like there are dozens of small things that are out of your control. But, on the day, everything will be beautiful – it all comes together in ways that are sometimes hard to imagine.

Brett – We struggled to find our venue for a long, long time. For a while, it felt like we’d need to give up the dream of having our wedding in the city where we live. That cloud lifted immediately when we found Loreto. It was such a weight off our shoulders, and it stands out as a really significant point in the planning process. For advice, I’d say focus on the people. All the stress and difficulty will be worth it if you can remember that you will be surrounded by people you love. Whatever your wedding looks like, they’ll be on your side. It’ll give you a lot more patience and strength than you realise. Try to find ways to show them your appreciation.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We could (and will) make special mention of all our vendors. They all went above and beyond, and we can’t thank them enough.

Sabrina (Moon Realm), our planner and coordinator, was everything we could have hoped for. She had such a calming presence. Every time it felt like we encountered a crisis, she guided us to a solution with an incredible amount of tact and grace. We felt perfectly in sync on the vision for the day, and we had every ounce of trust that she would bring it all to life. And, guess what? She did.

Our photographer, Vanessa (Vanessa Jane Photography), did truly amazing work. As if stunning photos weren’t enough, she made us feel so comfortable the entire day. It felt like taking photos with a friend. And, to reiterate, the photos were stunning.

Chelsea (Gentle Offerings), our florist, blew us away. Flowers were very important to Cierra going in, but neither of us could have anticipated what she did. We received endless compliments on her work.

We were so grateful to work with Katrina from Goods Gang. We mentioned this already, but Cierra has admired her work for a long time. She fully exceeded our expectations – our signage and invites were absolutely perfect.

From the minute the dance floor opened up, nobody could stop dancing. Our DJ, Wyatt (Supermoon DJs), played an unbelievable set. He was such a joy to work with – from the meetings to talk about our favourite songs, to the last dance. Can’t recommend enough.

Loreto was the perfect venue. We’ve mentioned how beautiful it was a few times, so now they get a shoutout for their unbelievable food and incredible service. On a day when it would have been easy for things to spiral into stress, they made us feel so taken care of and welcome.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Cierra – I went to a few different shops and tried on what felt like a hundred dresses, but the one I ended up wearing was the clear pick as soon as I found it. My veil ended up being one of my favourite pieces. I was raised Catholic, but we chose not to have a traditional Catholic wedding. So I loved the idea of bringing in an element that felt very traditional to our untraditional ceremony. It was the perfect nod to my upbringing and the weddings of my mother and grandmothers. My favourite part of my outfit, though, was my jewellery. Every piece I wore was given to me by a family member: my engagement ring, of course, my maternal grandmother’s wedding ring, my paternal great-grandmother’s engagement ring, a pearl bracelet that my mom wore on her wedding day, and my earrings, which were a gift from my mother-in-law. Wearing so many pieces from the women in my family felt like I was holding them close the entire day.

Brett – I wanted a classic black suit – something with a more relaxed fit than the slimmer modern cut. Since our wedding was in August, I had some concerns about overheating, so I decided on an all-linen suit from Proper Cloth. They were very helpful and guided me through a few different custom sizings. Our wedding day ended up on the hottest weekend of the year, so that extra breathability went a long way.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Cierra – For my engagement ring, I always knew I wanted a classic solitaire diamond ring. I looked into a few different options with friends, but Brett says he knew immediately which of those was the most me and chose an emerald cut diamond in an east-west setting. He was right – I absolutely love it. He also got the ring engraved with a message that’s meaningful to both of us.

Brett – While we were trying on wedding bands, Cierra and I noticed that we were drawn to similar designs. We actually ended up picking the same one (simple gold 3mm band) and engraving them with matching messages. The band stacks beautifully with Cierra’s engagement ring, and having the same design has taken on a level of significance for us.

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?).

From the beginning, florals were #1 on the list of design elements. We agreed that we’d be willing to spend a little extra on a florist/arrangements if we could find something special. Gentle Offerings was exactly that. Chelsea came recommended by our planner and, as we’ve said, she truly blew us away. Every arrangement was beyond beautiful. Chelsea put so much care and thought into the vision, and we are deeply appreciative of the work she did.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Our vows were beyond special. We had gone back and forth about whether or not to share our vows privately. Being more reserved, Cierra felt it might be more meaningful to keep the exchange between the two of us. Eventually, though, we remembered how much we enjoyed hearing vows at all the other weddings we had attended. That helped us decide to share ours in front of our guests. And we are very happy that we did. It’s something we’ll never forget. Cierra’s grandmother was close enough that we could hear her words of encouragement. During our more tearful moments, we could even hear our loved ones crying along with us. We were both struck by the profound love and support we felt from our guests, and we think our vows welcomed the immediacy of those feelings.

Another fun one – “Stars Are Blind” by Paris Hilton was mentioned during the maid of honour’s speech. Our DJ picked up on that and wove the song into his set. The whole dance floor went wild.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Cierra – Marriage means having someone to witness life with – a companion who is there through your high moments and your hardships. It’s a special blessing to have someone who knows you so intimately. We can navigate life together in a truly singular way. Whatever exists between brothers, sisters, friends, and family members will always be different from what exists between us. We’ve been together and dedicated to each other for so long, but this new commitment feels like a step into something grander and more sacred.

Brett – It means dedicating my life to someone. Cierra has been a singular presence in my life for so long. She has given me so much love and support. Marriage is my commitment to her happiness, her peace, and her journey through life. It’s my opportunity to give back all the good she puts into the world.

Something does change when you get married. And whatever that thing is is worth valuing and honouring.