A Parent Trap-Inspired Celebration With New York Flair in Marina del Rey

By Kevin Harson4 February 2026

Ivory, Sage Green, Black accents

When touring The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, the Bride and Groom learned that The Parent Trap was filmed there and immediately fell in love with the venue’s timeless 1990s charm. The film’s sense of nostalgia and the hotel’s blend of glamour and elegance, without feeling too formal, captured exactly what they were looking for. Although they live in New York City, the couple wanted to bring a touch of New York sophistication to their Los Angeles celebration. Their goal was to create a wedding that felt like an unforgettable party filled with many surprises and lots of details.

The groom proposed in Central Park in New York City. Like all great proposals, it began with a clever ruse for the bride to meet his friends for brunch on the Upper East Side, but instead, he led her on a detour into a remote part of the park where a photographer was waiting by a beautiful waterfall.

The bride wore a stunning all-lace gown with a matching veil by Berta. Originally designed without removable sleeves, the Bride customized the dress to allow more movement for dancing later in the evening. Around 12AM, she changed into a sparkling mini dress paired with matching gloves. The second look was revealed alongside the groom and a surprise entrance by disco-head dancers, signaling the start of the late-night disco party.

Instead of having traditional bridesmaids, the bride and groom, both the youngest in their families, asked their older siblings to walk them down the aisle. The groom’s sisters wore classic black gowns and carried small bouquets of baby’s breath.

The groom wore a custom double-breasted tuxedo by Alan David, perfectly tailored for a classic and timeless look.

The three-course dinner reflected the cozy, romantic spirit of a fall evening, beginning with pumpkin squash soup and followed by an array of seasonal dishes. As the celebration continued into the night, guests enjoyed late-night bites of sliders, fries, and truffle aioli, along with a dessert table featuring sweets, including the bride’s favorite pastéis de nata.

The ceremony took place in the Ritz-Carlton’s garden, where the aisle and stage were lined with clouds of baby’s breath and soft white florals, creating an ethereal, dreamlike setting. The florist, Renaissance Florals, was given nearly full creative freedom to bring the vision to life. While the bride’s initial inspiration centered around baby’s breath, the design team layered in lush greenery, orchids, peonies, and roses to add texture and depth. The result was a romantic and timeless display that felt both modern and classic. When evening fell, the celebration transitioned into the ballroom, which was completely transformed into a breathtaking floral dreamscape. Giant trees of baby’s breath anchored the space, while towering custom arches of roses and delicate blooms framed the room. Candelabras adorned with cascading white flowers and flickering candlelight filled the space with warmth and glow. Every detail reflected the couple’s vision of intentional beauty — from custom linen napkins and editorial-style programs to personalized chocolate floral favors placed at each setting. Working closely with their families, the Bride and Groom curated each element to ensure the evening felt immersive, thoughtful, and true to their love story.

The wedding cake, crafted by the renowned ButterEnd bakery, featured two of the couple’s favorite flavors — classic carrot cake and walnut-blueberry-lemon. Guests had the option to choose.

The ceremony took place at the Ritz Garden, where the aisle and stage were lined with clouds of baby’s breath and soft white florals, creating an ethereal, dreamlike setting. Guests were welcomed by the sounds of a live string quartet and an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists from Eli’s Band. The musical selection was deeply personal — including a moving rendition of “The Prayer”, a favorite of the bride’s mother, which brought many guests to tears even before the bride walked down the aisle.

Following heartfelt speeches, the bride’s father surprised everyone with an unforgettable performance by the USC Trojan Marching Band, a nod to the bride’s alma mater. The bride — a former USC Song Girl cheerleader— joined the band with fellow alumnae and best friends, pom poms in hand, as the room erupted in applause and chants of “Fight On!”

As the ceremony concluded, guests were invited to the cocktail hour overlooking the sparkling water and sailboats of the marina. Three custom bars offered signature cocktails inspired by the couple’s life in New York City — the “Lady Libertini” and “Met in Manhattan” — paired with gourmet tray-passed hors d’oeuvres. A live saxophonist from Eli’s Band set the tone, weaving through the crowd as guests mingled against a golden California sunset.

Eli’s live band kept the crowd dancing all night long. Just when guests thought the night had peaked, disco-headed dancers led the bride and groom back into the ballroom for a dazzling late-night re-entrance. The bride changed into her second look — a chic, sparkling mini dress with gloves, and the band started playing disco hits, transforming the space into a glittering “Saturday Night Fever”-inspired disco.