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Carrie-d Away

The Bride:Hope
The Groom:Nicholas
Date:April 9, 2011
Venue: Casa del Mar (Santa Monica, CA)

When Hope and Nicholas first met in New York City, the couple had wanted to go on a carriage ride through Central Park, but they never got around to it. So when they made a stop in 2009 on their way to Croatia for a trip, Nick used it as an excuse for a last-minute ride so he could pop the big question among the bustling city streets. What Hope didn’t know was Nick had planned it all along, hoping to give his sweetheart a romantic Sex and the City–inspired evening and a night to remember. He even took her to Buddakan in Chelsea, where Carrie and Big’s rehearsal dinner scene was filmed.
Venue
A California girl at heart having lived there for five years, Hope looked to The Golden State for a venue and stumbled upon the Casa Del Mar with its high open ceilings and beachside views. She wanted her 85 guests to fall in love with the SoCal sunsets, just as she once did. “To this day, many of our friends from Australia still talk about how amazing Santa Monica is,” she says.
Venue
A California girl at heart having lived there for five years, Hope looked to The Golden State for a venue and stumbled upon the Casa Del Mar with its high open ceilings and beachside views. She wanted her 85 guests to fall in love with the SoCal sunsets, just as she once did. “To this day, many of our friends from Australia still talk about how amazing Santa Monica is,” she says.
Bridal Attire
Hope spent the day dolled up in a classic strapless lace Demetrios gown. “I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on and knew that I would be able to look at my photos in 50 years and still think it is classic yet beautiful,” says Hope. Under the hem, a pair of silver Jimmy Choo slingbacks sparkled.
Bridal Attire
Hope spent the day dolled up in a classic strapless lace Demetrios gown. “I fell in love with my dress the moment I put it on and knew that I would be able to look at my photos in 50 years and still think it is classic yet beautiful,” says Hope. Under the hem, a pair of silver Jimmy Choo slingbacks sparkled.
Hair & Makeup
Hope wanted a very classic look when she walked down the aisle, so her makeup artist offered her a clean face with red lips and swept her curls into a loose updo, pinned back with a crystal hairpiece.
Daddy’s Girl
Hope wrapped her late father’s rosary around her bouquet of roses and calla lilies so he could be with her as she walked down the aisle. The couple also made sure to get married on his birthday to share this special day with him forever.
Ceremony
Hope and Nicholas wanted a traditional Catholic wedding. To make it their own and create a keepsake, they engraved their wedding date and names on glass vases used during their unity lighting ceremony.
Ceremony
Hope and Nicholas wanted a traditional Catholic wedding. To make it their own and create a keepsake, they engraved their wedding date and names on glass vases used during their unity lighting ceremony.
Flowers
Hope chose white calla lilies and other ivory blooms to adorn her wedding venues, placing the crisp blooms in tall glass vases along the reception tables alongside floating tea lights. To continue the clean palette, she chose simple bouquets of white tulips for her bridesmaids to carry.
Flowers
Hope chose white calla lilies and other ivory blooms to adorn her wedding venues, placing the crisp blooms in tall glass vases along the reception tables alongside floating tea lights. To continue the clean palette, she chose simple bouquets of white tulips for her bridesmaids to carry.
Advice from the Bride
Living in Australia made planning a California wedding difficult, so when Hope started putting together the details for her international wedding, she hired a wedding planner and hit the Internet for ideas. To make things easier, she suggests choosing a location that has a designated wedding team.