F
or Alyson Weaver and Evan Nicholas, New Year’s Eve is now also their wedding anniversary. “New Year’s had always been anti-climactic for me, so this was my way of making it memorable,” says Alyson. The bride and groom met at USC, where she acted in and he directed a mutual friend’s play. They didn’t start dating, however, until years after graduation. Aside from geographic desirability (they lived three blocks apart in Santa Monica), Alyson explains, “We both had the Hollywood thing in common.” She’s a writer and producer; he’s a screenwriter. Their few years of courtship included two dates to the Los Angeles Theatre, where they took in classic films King Kong and Paper Moon. At Montecito’s starry hideaway San Ysidro Ranch, Evan proposed on Alyson’s birthday. “An hour after our engagement, we had the whole wedding planned in our minds,” she says. As a couple who loves drama (and supports the Los Angeles Conservancy), the two recalled their dates at the Los Angeles Theatre. “It has a history that isn’t as obvious as other places—it’s so authentic, down to the smell,” adds Alyson. Following an admittedly long ceremony at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, nearly 200 guests were shuttled to the iconic venue. Veteran planner Mindy Weiss and her team had transformed the stage and orchestra area into a magical ballroom. In true New Year’s Eve fashion, noisemakers and hats were distributed before gold, silver and clear balloons were released at the stroke of midnight. The bride boasts, “I insisted on having an exit! I changed into a Monique Lhuillier cupcake dress, and we left for Casa del Mar in a 1930s Packard.” •
clockwise from top left
Vintage Confidential plays during cocktail hour. The bride and groom share a moment. Table settings. Rings by Single Stone. A vintage Packard from Classic Limos. Alyson and Evan make their grand exit. Los Angeles Theatre. Alyson’s bridesmaids in Vera Wang dresses. Floral arrangements by Brown Paper Design. Calla Lily bouquet. The first dance. Badgley Mischka veil and vintage hair pin.
venue Los Angeles Theatre cake Joanie & Leigh’s Cakes menu The Kitchen For Exploring Foods DRESses Elizabeth Fillmore and Monique Lhuillier rings Single Stone florist Brown Paper Design Entertainment Vintage Confidential, Rhythm Collective, Paper Moon Vintage planner Mindy Weiss REntals Town & Country, Found Vintage Rentals, La Tavola STATIONERY Love + Wit Paper Co. honeymoon Australia, New Zealand
08 Downtown_LA IC.indd 115
6/10/13 6:07 PM