Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
Angelica and Everto—a real estate loan officer and escrow officer, respectively—know real estate. So it's no wonder this location-savvy couple selected the St. Regis Monarch Beach for their October wedding.
Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
"We do not work in the same office," the bride explains of how the couple met through their careers, "but we felt we knew each other very well through phone calls and emails that would start about business and end with a wink."
Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
Nearly six years after their email exchanges went from business to pleasure, Everto proposed to Angelica in the early morning. "He always said he loved to watch me sleep because I looked so peaceful," she says. "That morning I woke up to the caressing of hair and tiny kisses on my face. When I opened my eyes for the first time, there he was—on one knee."
When the couple envisioned their October nuptials, they pictured "rich purple and an all-white wedding," the bride says.
The couple's all-white theme began with the bride's all-white bouquet, made from gardenias, roses, stephanotis, and cymbidium and Phalenopsis orchids. Bridesmaids' bouquets picked up the other end of the palette—a blend of all purple roses and orchids.
The couple's chic ceremony was held on the St. Regis Monarch Beach's manicured grounds. Angelica and Everto exchanged vows beneath a gazebo, from which crystals and orchids hung.
Angelica wore sparkling silver Christian Louboutin heels, which she personalized with crystals that spelled Mrs. R on the shoes' signature red underside. The rest of her outfit—including her cathedral-length veil—was Vera Wang.
Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
Everto wore a classic black and white Ralph Lauren tuxedo and Gucci shoes.
Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
The bride and groom confess to having two signature cocktails based on their favorite adult beverage, the mojito. "The names of our drinks were the Ruizito and the Besito," the bride says. "Besito means kiss in Spanish, and Ruiz our last name."
All-white centerpieces were awash in candlelight at the couple's reception, where a mixture of high and low arrangements and purple lighting added extra drama to the St. Regis Monarch Beach's already opulent ballroom.
Photos: Trinity Wheeler Photography
"We wanted our guests to eat very well," Angelica says. "So we kept the open bar through the entire event to ensure everyone had a good time."
St. Regis Monarch Beach catered the event, serving beef tenderloin with a Cognac-peppercorn demi-glace and a tomato-crusted Chilean sea bass, each with a side of vegetables.
Angelica and Everto stepped on to the dance floor to Luis Miguel's Por Debajo De La Mesa. "He sings the most romantic boleros, and the song resonates well with our love story," the bride explains. "The song means underneath the table—but the song is not what you are thinking about!" They also indulged in a five-tier wedding cake adorned with cascading orchids, which was made by St. Regis Monarch Beach.
Photo: Trinity Wheeler Photography
The couple so loved the St. Regis Monarch Beach that they traveled to another St. Regis hotel for their honeymoon in Bora Bora. "Being in real estate, I see some pretty amazing properties, but nothing compares to what we saw in Bora Bora," Angelica says.
—Jillian Kramer
Wedding Planner: A Signature Wedding || Ceremony Venue: St. Regis Monarch Beach || Reception Venue: St. Regis Monarch Beach || Bride's Wedding Dress: Vera Wang || Bride's Veil: Vera Wang || Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin || Bride's Wedding Ring: Vartan's Fine Jewelry || Groom's Tux: Ralph Lauren || Groom's Shoes: Gucci || Groom's Wedding Ring: Vartan's Fine Jewelry || Bridesmaids' Dresses: After Six || Bridesmaids' Accessories: Tiffany & Co. || Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein || Florist: My Wedding Blooms || Caterer: St. Regis Monarch Beach || Stationery: Paper Wonders || Save-The-Dates: Trinity Wheeler Photography || Cake Baker: St. Regis Monarch Beach || Rentals: Chivari Chair Rentals || Entertainment: Invisible Touch Events || Photography: Trinity Wheeler Photography