Valerie and Samuel hosted their Southern California wedding reception at Bradbury Estates, featuring a blush pink palette as well as gold and white décor. They traveled from Las Vegas where they had gotten married two days before the California reception. 

When I drove into the estate on the wedding day, I immediately felt like I was in a scene of Narnia, going through the glass wardrobe into a hidden world. I lived only 20 minutes away from the venue, but hadn’t ever seen the expanse of Bradbury Estates. The amazing thing about California is that even on a January day, you can still see sun for a good chunk of the day. I love how the backyard venue looked golden as it was lit by the sun.

I love the idea of having a home wedding. Val and Sam hosted an intimate group of family and close friends in a backyard venue, where the trees were lush and lights strung around the area. You could see the purple San Gabriel mountains in the background, and there was beautiful light throughout the day before sunset. 

Tables were set up with white linens and each one had a gold frame with a different shot of Val and Sam’s engagement photos. Guests were able to sign a personalized book with well wishes and love notes, before Val and Sam had a short ceremony and ring exchange.

During the night, guests watched a slideshow that encapsulated Val and Sam’s journey from childhood to present day. Val’s high school friends and bridal party also hosted the Shoe Game, a popular wedding reception game in which the bride and groom are asked a series of questions that they have to answer without looking at the other. Each has a shoe of their own and one from their spouse that they use to answer the questions. The bridal party was inspired by articles about the Shoe Game from The Knot and Wedding Wire and created a list just for Val and Sam based off of those articles (Scroll to the end for the specially curated list courtesy of Val’s friend and bridesmaid Stephanie).

Some of the questions were along the lines of, “Who made the first move?” “Who said I love you first?” “Who is funnier?” “Who is better at keeping secrets?” The reactions that came from the game were absolute gold. Can you guess the answers to the questions?

As the night came to an end, there Val and Sam cut their white 3-tiered wedding cake (the biggest cake I’ve ever seen with fruit pieces in it too yum), danced, and guests took home succulent wedding favors. 

Val and Sam’s wedding reception took place on a beautiful day and all the little details were so pretty and fun to capture. I was in awe of how they were able to transport everything (not to mention themselves and family from Las Vegas) and host a reception for loved ones in California. To Sam & Val-cheers to a lifetime of love ahead. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your celebration!

With Love,

Anna

VENUE: Bradbury Estates

And as promised, the custom Shoe Game list courtesy of Stephanie, inspired by the following articles:

The Shoe Game Is Still A Wedding Reception Favorite-Here’s How to Play

52 Wedding Shoe Game Questions You Need to Ask

1. Who is the pickier eater?

2. Who chose the honeymoon location?

4. Who's more likely to burn the house down when they're cooking dinner?

5. Who would rather be outdoors?

6. Who's an early riser?

7. Who's more likely to fall asleep in front of the TV?

8. Who do you trust more behind the wheel?

9. Who's more stubborn?

10. Who takes up more than their half of the bed?

11. Who made the first move?

12. Who's the most likely to cry at a movie?

13. Who eats the most junk food?

14. Who said I love you first?

15. Who will be most likely to wake up grumpy?

16. Who is more likely to get lost?

17. Who is messier?

18. Who has to always have the final words in an argument?

19. Who is better at keeping secrets?

20. Who is more spontaneous?

21. Who is the bigger flirt?

22. Who is more likely to be running late?

23. Who gives better birthday presents?

24. Who has a better sense of style?

25. Who talks more?

26. Who has the better taste in music?

27. Who is funnier?

28. Who is a better dancer?

30. Who did more of the wedding planning?

31. Who do you love more than anyone in the world?