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The tale of Kristen and Pat’s meeting is a classic tale of steady and smooth romance. Kristen and Pat’s mutual friend, Tom, was in Pasadena visiting from San Francisco for the weekend. Tom and Pat had been childhood friends, while Kristen had met him through the startup industry. Tom didn’t deny his motives for inviting her to his intimate house party…apparently there was someone she needed to meet.
So, in spite of the fact that Kristen had made plans to go paddle boarding in Venice, where she lived, that weekend, she’d decided to cancel and make the trek to Pasadena. The couple’s first conversation, over a bottle of wine and a tour of the house, was all about bobcat and coyote sightings in the neighborhood. Sparks may not have flown on that first meeting but more likely than not, they were both just trying to play it cool.
In fact, they were playing it so cool that it was their mutual friend, Tom, who stepped in, demanding that they at least meet up again for a drink. That night, at a spot in Venice named The Other Room, the pair felt everything clicking sweetly into place. After talking and drinking wine until the bar bell rang, Pat remembers spending the whole ride home to Pasadena smelling Kristen’s perfume which had rubbed off on his shirt, he couldn’t get enough of it.
In spite of the ample commute between Pasadena and Venice, the two of them were so hooked that they spent nearly every weekend together, from that night forward…I guess you could say that they were now, officially, infatuated with one another.
The proposal happened on Kristen’s birthday when the two of them decided to take a secluded trip together in Big Sur. After two hours of sweating it they finally reached the mountaintop and were treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of Big Sur, with the ocean and the mountain range wrapping around them, they’d never seen anything like it. After a few minutes of sitting, just taking in the splendor of it all, Kristen was just about ready to head back down to solid ground but Pat insisted they relax themselves for just a few minutes longer…
So, being a typical yogi, Kristen started doing yoga poses to chill out. She was doing the chair pose and twisting when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pat getting something out of his backpack. He bent down on one knee, opened a ring box that had belonged to his grandpa and then he pop the question.
After ten minutes of blacking out from pure bliss, the couple celebrated on top of the mountain with the clouds coming up around them. They were literally on cloud nine
After ten minutes of blacking out from pure bliss, the couple celebrated on top of the mountain with the clouds coming up around them. They were literally on cloud nine.
On her quest to find the perfect dress, Dreamers and Lovers was actually the first shop Kristen had visited. She loved all the designs and vibe and found two dresses that were in the running but since this was her first experience buying a wedding dress, she wanted to see as many options as she could. Nevertheless, there she was, back in Dreamers & Lovers, five stores later.
As well as trying on her two favorites again, she tried on some options from Yanique’s new collection, which hadn’t been released yet. One of the dresses, which were later named ‘Kristen’ in honor of her, was everything she was looking for. It had a 70’s feel, long, soft lines, unique, feminine but not too girly and most of all it was feminine but not too girly. Kristen knew that it was the destined fit for her tropical, boho-chic wedding.
The couple invited 105 guests to their wedding, so you could say it was quite an intimate affair. The venue was transformed with plenty greenery and a boho chic palate of black, peach, gold and dark purple into a moody, whimsical delight with a tropical coast feel. Kristen felt their florist, Shindig Chic, had really listened to their vision, they were blown away by the floral decor and the bouquets, which came out far better than they’d imagined.
Kristen walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing a melody that her husband to be had written. It was such a surprise that she actually got goose bumps. The melody later became a song with lyrics, released under Pat’s stage name, Active Child
Kristen walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing a melody that her husband to be had written. It was such a surprise that she actually got goose bumps. The melody later became a song with lyrics, released under Pat’s stage name, Active Child.
Things had come full circle at the wedding, with their old friend, Tom, presiding over the ceremony. He told a story of how they had met and the company shared a silent moment in which everybody directed their quiet blessings and good energy toward the couple.
Kristen highly recommends writing your own vows, which is what they did…it turned out to be one of the most magical moments they’d ever shared and it seemed like the world around them had frozen in time
Kristen highly recommends writing your own vows, which is what they did…it turned out to be one of the most magical moments they’d ever shared and it seemed like the world around them had frozen in time. This was Kristen’s favorite snippet from her vow. “I have never met anyone like you – not even close. You’re soft but bold, you always root for the underdog, when you laugh, you’re sincere, you’re authentic and truly march to the beat of your own drum, you sneeze in falsetto, you’re so talented yet so humble, you actually like watching funny cat videos, you would do anything for me, your family and mine, and you inspire me everyday to be the best version of myself and to enjoy the simple things in life. You really are so easy to love!”
Sweet and Saucy provided a delicious, three tiered wedding cake. It was a mixture of vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and almond cake with cinnamon frosting…oh and they didn’t forget to order an ice cream cart for the patio, by Carmela Ice Cream.
Some other highlights were sister-of-the-bride’s hilarious speech, the flower girl and ring bearer nieces and nephews outrageous dance moves, their mini, gold disco ball and their 6’7 ft. tall friend trying to avoid hitting his head on things. Oh, not to mention Pat and his dad’s rendition of Master P’s “Make Em Say Uhh” on the dance floor, the patio photo booth and getting down to the song of the night, “All My Friends” by LCD Sound System.
The biggest challenge for Kristen was learning to let go and not sweat the little things. It’s the things that don’t go quite to plan that really make things memorable. During the couples recession they’d decided to let the guests all play kazoos…talk about a bad idea, you can only imagine. Kristin’s advice is that you let the vendors do their magic and remember to enjoy breathing in the moments during the day with your future husband because it goes by so quickly.
The couple has since been checking things off their big-life-moments list pretty steadily, they’ve even bought a gorgeous Spanish house in Pasadena, which they’ll be moving in to soon…we wish them a lifetime of joy.
VENDORS
Wedding Planner: Claudia Cassanova, One Darling Day
Photography: Amada Gallant, Max & Friends
Venue: The Fig House, Los Angeles
DJ: Dart Collective
String Quartet: Brita Tastad
Floral: Shindig Chic
Rentals: A Rental Connection
Lighting: Ambiance Pro
Photo Booth: All Smiles Photobooth
Ice Cream Cart: Carmela Ice Cream Co.
Cake: Sweet & Saucy
Bar: Pharmacie
Catering: Room Forty
