Rock n' Willow Events

April 8, 2020

Weddings

Bringing the Roaring 20's to 2016

Rock n' Willow Events

April 8, 2020

Weddings

Jessica + Jonathan Chester and their Roaring 20’s Themed Wedding at Recreation Park Golf Course 18 in Long Beach, California

September 16, 2016

Jessica and her Mother hired us on for our Day of Coordination package where we join the planning one month prior to handle the final details as well as coordinating the rehearsal and the entire wedding day. We were thoroughly surprised when we discovered our Bride-To-Be had a college degree in design and had just about every inch of her dream wedding planned out perfectly. She even designed and hand made all her signage for her big day!

Getting Ready

Jessica chose to style herself and her bridesmaids in typical outfits, hairstyles, and accessories you would have found at a wedding taking place in the 1920’s.

The Guys

Jonathan and his bridesmaids looked dapper with their traditional tuxedos.

First Look

The soon to be wedded couple took some time before their ceremony to have a first look and it was magical! They took advantage of their vintage lounge set up and used them for additional props for their photos.

Ceremony

Jessica and Jonathan had a very simple and touching ceremony with the most beautiful sunset behind them.

Wedding Party

Their wedding party might have been dressed up but that did not take away from how fun they were!

Couples Portraits

Because of Jessica’s organization she made time in her schedule to include a good chunk of time for couples portraits. If you are thinking about sunset photos, do it!

Reception

This gorgeous ballroom was dressed up with touches of Art Deco decor and infused with hand made elements by the bride and her Mother.

The couple had a choreographed first dance

Mr and Mrs Chester

Being a part of The Chester’s special day and tons of memorable highlights was an amazing experience. We love detailed oriented weddings so much, especially ones with a good theme that is executed well. Since their big day Jessica and Jonathan have moved to Colorado and adopted a puppy. We wish them the best!

Vendors:

Coordination: Rock n’ Willow Events / Photography: Emily Beth Photo / Venue: Recreation Park Golf Course 18 / DJ: Behind the DJ / Videography: Prismatik Films / Florals: Margaret Rose Floral Design / Linen: Dream Decor / Rentals: Bring the Charm / Cake: Torrance Bakery

Rock n' Willow Events

November 27, 2018

Weddings

Vintage D.I.Y. Wedding in Southern California

Rock n' Willow Events

November 27, 2018

Weddings

Annie + Israel Navarro's Vintage D.I.Y. Wedding at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and El Dorado Park Golf Course 08.15.2015

Before the blush pink and succulent trend started to be number one on Pinterest there was Annie and Israel Navarro and their futuristic wedding ideas! Their wedding took place on the hottest day of the summer during a heat wave at St Margaret Mary Alacoque Church in Lomita, Ca with the reception at El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach, Ca.

Annie opted out of getting ready at the venue or hotel. Instead she got ready in the comfort of her home surrounded by her Mother and Sisters. That made the process much more small and intimate.

Once Annie was ready she was off to the church!

Annie and Israel stayed true to their religious routes and had a gorgeous Catholic church ceremony in the heart of the South Bay!

St Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church in Lomita, California

At St Margaret Mary's there was a perfect stone backdrop to snap a few pictures on the way to the reception venue.

While the ceremony was underway we were at the reception venue across town. As the guests traveled from Lomita to Long Beach we were setting up all the D.I.Y. aspects Annie and her family created. Israel's Mom hand made each and every chair bow, and did we mention there was about 240 guests? Wow!

Annie was ahead of her time with her wedding vision. Dressing the tables in blush linen from Stephanie’s Linens was not the only future trend she was setting. She also inluded succulents as favors and a ton of vintage decor.

Guests were welcomed into the cocktail hour with a live performance by the Downbeat LA group AMFM and accompanied by DJ Rage for the reception. Then it was time for their epic grand entrance into the first dance.

Dinner was catered by the on site restaureant at the venue but their gorgeous wedding cake was provided by Great Dane Bakery. Annie surprised her new husband with a groom's cake from Sophie's Sweet Shop with his favorite football team, USC. The couple had a recent dog pass away which they paid tribute to on their cake with a dog figurine by Sophie's Sweet Shop too.

After cake and dinner was digested it was time to start the festivities! The couple started with dancing with parents then the bouquet toss and a very unique garter toss. The bride did not feel comfortable with the traditional garter toss so they warpped the garter around a football and the groom tossed it to his eligible bachelors. It turned out to be a really fun idea we still recommend to all our couples!

The cultural money dance typically starts off the dancing portion in the Hispanic community. With over 200 Latinos ready to party they were eager to give the Couple money with wishes for their prosperity.

Adding more D.I.Y. elements, Annie used props form her bridal shower and made her own Photo Booth area.

We love how their photographer Erica Adams snuck the couple away from the reception to capture some sunset photos.

It’s been three years since Annie and Israel’s special day and they have since welcomed the birth of their daughter Jayla. The Navarro wedding will always hold a special place in our heart not only because of all the firsts we experienced, but because of the warmth both sides of the family expressed towards us. Annie even assisted Rock n’ Willow Events for a short time prior to her pregnancy! We miss you dearly and wish you and Israel nothing but the best!!

Vendor Team: // Coordination: Rock n’ Willow Events // Venue: Ceremony- St Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church + Reception: El Dorado Park Golf Course // Photographer: Erica Adams Photography // Videographer: Wedding Video Pro // DJ: DJ Rage // Band: Downbeat LA // Linen: Stephanie’s Linen // Furniture: Striking Elegance // Cake: Great Dane Baking Co // Groom’s Cake: Sophie’s Sweet Shop // Flowers: Lily’s Flowers DTLA

Rock n' Willow Events

April 3, 2018

Weddings

Vintage Summer Garden Wedding in the Middle of Long Beach

Rock n' Willow Events

April 3, 2018

Weddings

Briana and Riley's Vintage Summer Wedding in the Middle of Long Beach at Recreation Park Golf Course 18, 07.11.2014

Briana and Riley Peck came to us as a refferal (don't you just love when that happens!) and we had about eight months to put the entire wedding together. They were in search of a garden wedding venue local to them in the South Bay. After touring several properties we found a gem of a venue located in Long Beach called Recreation Park Golf Course 18.

This venue provided their ceremony space, cocktail hour, and reception ballroom while also including on site catering and bartending. That is not all! Most golf courses may include tables, banquet or garden chairs, and house linen. What a steal!!

When Briana and Riley came to us and described how they envisioned their wedding day they expressed how they wanted the perfect garden wedding but with hints of their English and Irish culture and of course incorporating aspects of their nerdiness! They had an English Knot ordered via Etsy straight from England, a sixpence inside the bride's shoe, Harry Potter cufflinks, and a Dr. Who garter belt.

Briana's brother-in-law made a custom wood sign in shadow box entirely from scratch, even going to a nearby glass manufacturer to get the glass part cut and fit to shape. These can be seen all over Pinterest these days and even in some craft stores but back in 2014 this was ahead of its time!

Looking back, Briana and Riley had one of my most favorite first dance 'til this day. They selected "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding.

Since this warm sunny day the couple has welcomed the birth of their son, Atticus, who just celebrated his second birthday! Fun fact, the grooms Uncle was actor Gregory Peck from the motion picture To Kill A Mockingbird. Briana and Riley selected their sons name as a way to pay homage to the character he played in the movie, Atticus Finch.

Planning + Coordination: Rock n' Willow Events, Venue: Recreation Park Golf Course 18, Photography: Wedding 64, Flowers: Romero's Orchids, Cake: Torrance Bakery, Dress: David's Bridal