A Fiesta to Remember: A Colorful Wedding at The Fig House, Los Angeles

From the first swipe right to saying "I do" amidst vibrant hues and joyful friends and family, Ryan and José’s journey to wedded bliss has been nothing short of magical. It all started with a simple message on Hinge, where Ryan took the plunge and initiated a conversation about their mutual love for spicy fried chicken joints in LA. Little did she know, this would be the beginning of a beautiful love story that would culminate in a spectacular wedding at The Fig House in Los Angeles.

When it came to envisioning their special day, Ryan and José knew they wanted it to be a reflection of their personalities – bright, festive, and filled with love. José, with his penchant for all things colorful, inspired their wedding theme, which they aptly termed as a fiesta. And what better venue to host their celebration than The Fig House, with its perfect blend of indoor charm and outdoor elegance, not to mention its vibrant and colorful ambiance.

Planning for the Unexpected

As with almost all events, there were last minute surprises we had to navigate. A November wedding means there will always be a chance of rain in Southern California. Ryan, José, and I talked about the rain plan at the beginning of planning. I always tell couples with weddings between November and March that they need to be OK with whatever the rain plan will be. They need to be happy with both options. When the week of the wedding approached and we saw rain in the forecast, as a group we had to deliberate the options. Ryan and José let themselves feel the feelings of disappointment, as an indoor dinner was not the original plan. But in talking to them that week, I know they were confident that the evening we planned for their guests would still be special, with some added good luck rain.

Planners Tip: When searching for your wedding venue, make sure to ask what a rain plan would look like. Indoor/outdoor venues are becoming more and more popular for having flexibility in inclement weather.

A Non Traditional Wedding Ceremony

From our first planning meeting, Ryan and José had some amazing ideas. They wanted an intimate ceremony with their closest family and friends, followed by cocktails, dinner, and dancing for a larger group of their favorite people. I suggested a circular ceremony setup as I thought it would perfectly fit the intimacy and meaning behind the gathering of this select group. Ryan and José also wanted to meet just before the ceremony to see each other and walk in together. They are the epitome of non-traditional and I loved seeing things that were meaningful to them shine throughout the day.

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After exchanging vows surrounded by their loved ones, one moment stands out above all others – stealing a quiet moment together as husband and wife, savoring the delicious appetizers and drinks brought to them by the thoughtful staff at The Fig House. It was a moment of pure bliss and reflection amidst the whirlwind of celebrations.

Ryan shares about the meaningful details on the wedding day:

“We brought the lasso ceremony in, something that José's parents did when they got married 40 years ago. Also, my grandmother died during the wedding planning process, so getting to honor her in the name of a drink was really meaningful to me.”

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Fig House Wedding Reception

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The night ended with a fun surprise for guests: The Man Eating Plant food truck! Ryan is vegan and this is one of her (and my) favorite food trucks. Guests enjoyed musubi, garlic noodles, and fried mushroom bao as they danced the night away.

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Ryan shared her advice for couples planning a wedding:

“Take your time, don't make any rush decisions. Really be clear about your priorities and go back to those whenever you're in doubt.”

In the end, their wedding day was everything they could have hoped for and more – a colorful celebration of love, laughter, and the beginning of this new season. And as they embark on this new chapter of their lives together, they do so with hearts full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime.

I know I can’t put into words how much I care for these two and how grateful I am that our paths crossed. So I’ll just say cheers to this celebration to kick off the new adventures ahead. Congrats to Ryan and José!

Are you a modern couple looking to plan a nontraditional Los Angeles wedding? As a Los Angeles wedding planner for modern couples, I love working with couples who want to infuse the essence of their story into their wedding day in a unique and meaningful way. Does this sound like you? Let’s chat!