“Who says brides have to wear white?”
That’s the mindset that bride Anna used going into her sunny California beach wedding day which led her to not one but two show-stoppingly unique + non-traditional looks that we are totally in love with.
That kind of joyful, impulsive authenticity is core to Anna + Joel’s relationship—the American bride + Swiss groom first met by chance when they locked eyes across a crowded pub in Oxford, England. So making choices that felt exciting and original became a theme of their planning.
“Our wedding was inspired by our desire to celebrate love in a way that felt authentic to us,” says the couple. “We threw out the rulebook and focused on creating moments that reflected our personalities, our story, and the things that bring us joy as a couple. The result was a funky beach bash that was unmistakably “us” – full of surprises, laughter, and love.”
The couple gathered friends + fam on the beach in Malibu, California and—with the help of a coordinator from Mostest—put together a seaside celebration in the sun that featured color, sparkles, bubbles, and an Elvis impersonator as the officiant!
Nicole Caldwell captured it all in a series of photos with a retro charm that felt totally alive with the romance of the moment.
Let’s take a look!
The Ceremony
Viola Floral leaned into the vibrant green theme when creating Anna’s bright anthurium bridal bouquet.
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding The most unforgettable moment of our wedding day was when Elvis quite literally crashed our ceremony!
Picture this: We're in the middle of our beachside vows, the gentle waves providing a serene backdrop. Suddenly, we hear a booming "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen!" in the most spot-on Elvis impression. Everyone dramatically turns around, jaws dropping in shock and amusement.
There he was, the King himself (or at least a very convincing impersonator), strutting up the beach in all his jumpsuited glory. Without missing a beat, he takes over the ceremony, much to our delight and our guests' absolute hysteria. It was completely unexpected and perfectly captured the fun, carefree spirit we wanted for our day.
But the Elvis excitement didn't stop there. After the ceremony, the beach transformed into a dance floor, with the King leading the charge. One of my favorite memories is dancing with my new husband and our friends and family as Elvis belted out "Blue Suede Shoes." Seeing everyone, young and old, kicking up sand and laughing together under the California sun was pure magic.
This surprise Elvis appearance and the joyous dancing that followed encapsulated everything we wanted our wedding to be – full of laughter, surprises, and unforgettable moments shared with our loved ones. It was the perfect blend of romantic and ridiculous, just like us!
“Our journey to having Elvis as our wedding officiant is a perfect example of how Joel and I approach life – with spontaneity, humor, and a shared love for music!” says Anna. “It all started one night when we were doing what we love best: exploring live music videos online. We stumbled across a performance by James Kruk, an incredibly talented Elvis impersonator, with his band. The energy was infectious, and before we knew it, we were dancing around our bedroom, completely caught up in the music.”
“As the video ended and we caught our breath, I turned to Joel and jokingly said, ‘What if he officiated our wedding?’ I expected a laugh or maybe a playful eye roll. Instead, Joel looked at me with that spark in his eye that I’ve come to recognize as his ‘let’s do something crazy’ look, and very seriously said, ‘I’m in!’”
“That moment perfectly encapsulates our relationship. We’re always ready to take a fun idea and run with it, especially when it comes to music. Live performances have been a huge part of our lives together, so having a performer like James as our officiant felt like a natural extension of who we are as a couple.”
“From that point on, it was full steam ahead. We reached out to James, worked out the details, and kept it as a surprise for our guests. The result was even better than we could have imagined – not only did we get an amazing officiant, but we also got an unforgettable performance that had everyone dancing on the beach!”
“Looking back, what started as a joke became one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. It brought an element of surprise, fun, and pure joy to our ceremony that perfectly reflected our personalities and our love story. Plus, how many couples can say they were serenaded by the King himself as they said their vows?”
The Reception
Bliss Beach created the idyllic beach umbrella setup that served as Anna + Joel’s seaside venue. “We kept it casual with a margarita day party and aesthetic brunch setup,” the couple remembers. “Some folks danced, others napped in the sun. It was perfect.”
This beach picnic by The Seed looks beyond delicious.
We are completely dazzled by Anna’s sparkly reception dress. “From the start, I knew I wanted to break away from the traditional wedding dress mold,” Anna says. “But finding the right fit for my vision and my body? That was quite the adventure!”
“Initially, trying on wedding gowns felt incredibly daunting. The pressure of finding “the one” in big stores with sample sizes that didn’t quite fit my curvy figure left me feeling self-conscious and overwhelmed.”
“Everything changed when I stepped into En Blanc in Santa Monica. There, I fell head over heels for the Cher dress by Flora. It was love at first sight! Slipping into that mini dress felt like becoming a walking disco ball – exactly the vibe I was going for. It was perfect for dancing the day away and adding that extra sparkle to our celebration.”
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison
Recessional: "J't'emmène au vent" by Louise Attaque
First Dance: "The Wonder of You" by Elvis Presley
Anna + Joel included both American and Swiss vibes in their cultural considerations throughout the day. And as a nod to Joel’s Swiss roots the best man surprised them with Alphorn players during his speech! “Hilarious and so unexpected!” the couple says.
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but remember - it's YOUR day! Here's some advice based on our experience:
Break the Traditional Mold: Don't feel bound by wedding traditions. We're morning people, so we had a morning ceremony followed by a day party. It was perfect for us! Think about what truly reflects you as a couple and build your day around that.
Simplify Where You Can: Keeping things simple can reduce stress and often leads to a more enjoyable experience for everyone. We hired a day-of coordinator from Mostest. It was much less expensive than a full wedding planner but still gave us the support we needed.Also, the menu doesn’t have to be fancy (unless you want it to be): Our caterer provided sandwiches, fruits, veggies, dips, and snacks. It was a hit! We received tons of compliments on the food. Remember, it doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious and memorable.
Prioritize Time Together: Make sure to carve out moments to spend with your partner during the wedding. Check in with each other, dance together, and soak in the joy of your special day.
Stay True to Yourselves: You can't please everyone, so focus on what makes you happy as a couple. This is your day to celebrate your love and commitment.
Provide Entertainment Options: Having various activities can make a big difference. We created bingo cards for guests to mingle. We also set up cornhole and beach games. These turned out to be lifesavers for guests with kids or those who didn't know many people. It gave everyone something fun to do and helped break the ice.
If you're struggling with the traditional wedding dress shopping experience, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Whether it's a non-traditional style like my disco ball dress or going the custom route for a perfect fit, remember that your wedding dress should be a reflection of you. When you find the right one(s), trust me, you'll feel it!
Final Thoughts: Remember, your wedding should be a reflection of you as a couple. Don't be afraid to break the rules, think outside the box, and create a day that truly represents your love story. The most important thing is that you and your partner enjoy yourselves and create beautiful memories together.
“As the bride I found wedding planning super stressful,” Anna candidly shares. “I wish I could have relaxed and remembered that it was going to be magical no matter what because everyone I loved was there.”
Congratulations, Anna + Joel! Your beautiful beach wedding was a unique + exciting celebration worthy of The King himself! All the best from GWS!
photography: Nicole Cadwell // venue name: Point Dume Malibu, Malibu, California, USA // planning: Mostest (day of coordinator) // florals: Viola Floral // wedding dress boutique: En Blanc // hair stylist: Hair and Makeup by Josie // makeup artist: Emily Lynn and Co // catering: Seed // specialty rentals: Bliss Beach // music: Dart Collective // officiant: James Kruk