This is supposed to be a joyous occasion, and these women did not seem like they were feelin’ it. It could have been the fact they were in boring black dresses that were not fitted and not flattering whatsoever. I had already made up my mind about these dresses in the first few moments the girls stepped out, so I had the bridesmaids help Lala get into her bridal gown. Lala came out, and since she is a beautiful woman with a very petite figure, she looks great in so many things, and told me that this was the dress. She also told me that she tried on over thirty dresses to find this one! It was a bit revealing of cleavage and I did not like fabric, and the cut, but this dress did not take away from what a beautiful person she is.

So after Lala got back her regular clothes on we ventured into the hills of Malibu, where Lala told me something I get so worried for my brides to do for their wedding. She booked her venue online, and this was also the first time she was seeing this house, like myself. We arrived to a fly infested house in the hills of Malibu that had a beautiful view, but to get up to the house was a treacherous feat with the winding long roads. We looked at the property together, and saw dated furniture that looked like something out of the 80′s and the way the property was laid out was a very difficult place to hold a ceremony and reception. So after going over all the details Lala had presented to me, I made it out of this battle alive, and ready to attack a greater challenge. Lala was so exciting to meet and very sweet so I wanted to make sure I gave her the wedding of her dreams.

The first and obvious change on my list, was the dresses for the Bridesmaids, so I took them to a location in Hollywood, where we would truly model Greek fashion, and see if Lala would stray from her initial concept for black dresses. From fuschia, to white, to black, we tried all different cuts and shapes that the girls would not necessarily pick themselves, but shockingly Lala liked the changes much better than the original black.

Our work with her bridesmaid dresses was complete, and our next battle was one that hit her quite hard. She had no idea, that when we arrived in Beverly Hills and she saw all of the couture wedding gowns that I would be changing her wedding dress. Her heart sank and she was taken aback, but I assured her with my help that I wouldn’t put her in something she didn’t like. What is very important for any bride to remember in regards to choosing a dress, is that you want to look back on this day, years from now, and think of a gown you will only wear once in your life, so you need to feel like a million bucks. As I told Lala that day at the dress store, that she needs to “Dream Bigger” because she is worth it. The process began, and as usual, my bride began to trust me and saw three completely different looks, but fell in love with two that she had a hard time deciding which she liked better. The cogs in my brain were busy at work and I had a sneaking suspision I knew which one she preferred.

But our time was sparse from all of the battles and decision, so now it was time to take her mind off of the stress from planning everything. We arrived in Encino, CA and as a true Greek Tradition I wanted Lala to have some fun in the kitchen, and experience what kind of food she should expect at such a Greek Themed event. So we decided to make and try different kinds of Baklava! While shooting we named our dessert, BakLALA in honor of our phenomenal bride. She had a great time and my stressed bride was starting to unwind, and I loved seeing her smile! Lala is such a sweet woman and though this was a stressful time I really wanted her to let me take the pressure off her back and just enjoy the celebration that was about to take place.

Our last trip was a new venture that I have never done before, which was exciting for me, as well as a surprised Lala. I incorporated my groom this time, and had he and Lala meet me at a dock in Marina Del Ray, CA where I surprised them with a special yacht ride during sunset. Not only were they going to celebrate a wonderful time together, but do a photo shoot that would be on display for them during their wedding, looking like the Greek God and Goddess’ they were. The photo shoot began and it looked stunning, and they shared champagne and lots of smiles. My last surprised was something to make their special day even more special. I surprised them with their own personalized robes that they were going to take with them on their honeymoon in Turks and Caicos that I surprised them with. They were unbelievably floored and could not be happier. It always brings such joy to my heart to see a couple rejoice and react to see them receive something they normally wouldn’t get to do.

The big day was upon us, and I met Lala in Pasadena at a beautiful venue that truly captured a true Greek wedding with lush green lawns, large trees, and fountains. I revealed to her a very dramatic and elegant dress that I knew she was leaning towards picking, and I chose to do something that is very nontraditional, that I tell my brides to not usually do, but to wear white. I also had all of the guests arrive in white as well to go with the theme for the wedding. The hair and make up stylists went to work on Lala and I made sure the grounds were ready for the big celebration. Raj Tents provided beautiful individual tents for each of the guests tables, and living statues were on the grounds holding a pose for the guests to admire. It was finally time, and Lala and her groom were wed, and she looked stunning in a dramatic dress, where she walked down the aisle and released her veil to walk the rest of the way without it, making quite the effect. Upon their I do’s, doves were released and everyone cheered in their union.

I quickly took Lala and her groom to the reception area, and after I counted to three, the couple were amazing with what they saw. All of the individual tents on the grounds, with pieces of greek artifacts about the property. The living statues that were so realistic you couldn’t tell they were people. The trees had lanterns and inside the tents their were colored lights in the lanterns that gave a blue glow to the interior of each tent. Everything looked stunning and my couple was overjoyed with excitement. I felt as if this was a celebration fit for the Gods and my couple truly celebrated their big day like a God and Goddess should.