Though Noelle and Jermaine went to the same high school, they were three grades apart, so they didn’t meet until a mutual friend brought them together in 2006. They made up for lost time, though, and dated for almost 10 years before Jermaine planned an evening full of surprises for his longtime love. “He planned a surprise birthday dinner for me, inviting my parents and all of my friends,” she remembers. After dinner, when they pair got up to thank everyone for coming and cut into Noelle’s birthday cake, Jermaine got down on one knee. “The cake was actually a ring inside a box, with a message asking me to marry him!”
They got right to wedding planning, selecting October 11, 2015, as their date (just nine months after Jermaine popped the question!). With event planners Rock Paper Details by their side, they chose the Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades, California, falling for the amazing views and gorgeous 1920s architecture. “I didn’t even look anywhere else. They had one Saturday available for the entire year, so we booked it!” says Noelle. She and the couple’s planners put together a chic all-white celebration, perfect for the wardrobe stylist bride, and accented the affair with Bordeaux, the groom’s favorite hue, and as much gold glitter as any bride could ever want. The result? A totally stunning bash overlooking the Pacific with 160 guests in attendance — take a look below, photographed by Sposto Photography.
Letterpress invitations were tucked into envelopes lined with handmade gold paper and closed with a wax seal, an idea dreamed up by the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver groom. “We wanted to give guests a hint of what was to come,” says Noelle.
With a rolodex full of couture contacts, Noelle sought out Australian designer Paolo Sebastian, who she has worked with to dress Giuliana Rancic, to design her completely custom wedding gown. “We got on a Skype call and I showed him hundreds of pictures I’d collected. We talked through fabrics, details, sleeves, and shapes, then narrowed down something that would look beautiful when it came together,” Noelle explains. The final product was an Italian silk and lace gown with a sheer lace applique bodice and a fishtail skirt. She paired the fashionably classic design with the perfect shoes to match: Christian Louboutin peep-toe t-straps with an elegant bow at the ankle. She dressed up the red soles with gold calligraphy reading “Maine’s Squeeze,” a nod to Jermaine’s nickname.
“I layered every finger with rings,” says Noelle, who’s a total jewelry-lover. The finishing touch was an all-white bouquet that combined phalaenopsis orchids with waxflowers for a lace-inspired look.
With ten bridesmaids in her entourage, Noelle knew classic was the way to go. She chose black Dupioni silk fit-and-flare gowns from Alvina Valenta, and each ‘maid carried a bouquet of polo roses, hydrangeas, and orchids.
Noelle wanted to do a first look, but Jermaine didn’t want to see her until she walked down the aisle, so they compromised with a “first touch.” They sat back-to-back and held hands, and were able to exchange gifts in private. Jermaine’s gift to Noelle was a huge surprise: Inside a box of white roses was a little gold box, and inside that box was a key to their new house!
The ceremony took place on the hotel’s Grand Lawn, overlooking the ocean. A flower-covered aisle led to an altar decorated with white orchids and hydrangeas, completed with a crystal chandelier.
Jermaine’s twin nieces served as flower girls in silk-and-tulle dresses and baby’s breath crowns. “We had no idea if they would make it down the aisle, but the second it was time for them go, they were great!” says the bride.
“Over the course of a few months, I collected quotes and sayings that I loved,” says Noelle of writing her own vows for the ceremony. “I promised myself I wouldn’t wait until the last minute, but there I was before our rehearsal, putting it all together!” One of the pair’s favorite lines comes from Jermaine’s vows to Noelle: “It was your smile that I first noticed, and it continues to brighten up my life each and every day.”
“We loved that Bel-Air Bay Club is so private, and that it was ours for the day,” says the bride of their secluded venue. They were able to wander the property without on-lookers, and have a few moments to themselves.
When Noelle was working with Paolo on her gown, she asked to lengthen the tulle train. We’d say the dramatic effect was totally worth it!
In the club’s library, escort cards were displayed on a table decorated with arrangements of white roses, orchids, hydrangeas, and lisianthus. Each card was finished with another Bordeaux-hued wax seal. “It was one of those things Jermaine really wanted, and our planners wove it through from the invitations to the reception,” Noelle says.
Dinner was served at tables topped with Venetian-lace linens and gold glitter vases. A mix of tall and low arrangements included roses, hydrangeas, orchids, and lisianthus, surrounded by dozens of candles. “We love candles, so each guest received a small candle in our signature scent as a favor,” Noelle explains.
While they sipped “Perf Pomegranate Martinis” and “Jameson Mules,” guests were treated to lump blue crab cakes and truffle grilled cheese sandwiches with roasted tomato soup. Inside, dinner included braised short ribs and miso-soy marinated Hawaiian onaga (red snapper). All the wine was selected by Noelle’s father, with a little help from Jermaine.
The bride and groom love candles so much, they had a candle wall in the reception space. “We had our initials made out of flowers and, instead of a guest book, asked guests to sign 30″ tall candles in our signature scent,” the bride says. As a plus, the glowing votives lent a romantic scent to the entire space.
While the design of the sleek white-and-gold wedding cake was all Noelle, the flavors were all Jermaine: He chose layers of cookies and cream, crème brûlée, carrot, and chocolate cakes. There was also a beignet bar, in honor of Noelle’s family’s New Orleans connection.
DJ Dense, the official DJ of the L.A. Clippers, had the dance floor packed all night, aside from a brief break where Jermaine and his fraternity brothers performed the Kappa Alpha Psi Sweetheart Dance. “It’s such a great fraternity tradition, and it meant so much for them to all be together again,” says Noelle.
The stylish bride has a few great planning tips up her sleeves. “Having creative wedding planners who understand your vision will go so far,” says Noelle. “And don’t choose your venue before you’ve hired them!”
Venue & Catering: Bel-Air Bay Club || Wedding Planner: Rock Paper Details || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian || Shoes: Christian Louboutin || Jewelry: Shay Fine Jewelry || Hair: Maisha Oliver || Makeup: Felicia La Tour || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alvina Valenta || Groom’s Attire: Michael Ferrera || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Jason of Beverly Hills || Floral Design: Rebelle Fleurs || Invitations & Paper Goods: Woo Paperie || Calligraphy: Truly.Madly.Ink. || Music: DJ Dense || Cake: The French Confection Co. || Rentals: Dish Wish; La Tavola Fine Linen; Frolic & Sage || Guest Book & Favors: Cole Craig Organic Candles || Videographer: Images by Inda || Photographer: Sposto Photography
Can’t get enough of this couple’s chic celebration? Then check out another all-white wedding in the video below.
