The Couple
With fashion, Brooke Sirianni knows exactly what she likes. "Stripes, any kind," says the production and design specialist who has worked for such labels as Holmes & Yang and Loeffler Randall. On her second date with Shea Foley, partner at the socially conscious men's fashion site Apolis, she felt just as positive. "He said it was his dream to own a wedding venue," says Brooke, who also styled events on the side. "I tried to act calm, but inside I was giddy—that's when I knew he was the one."
A year later, Shea confirmed Brooke's hunch when he walked her down a wooden stairway to the shore in her Laguna Beach, California, hometown for what she thought was to be a day of kayaking. Halfway there, she spotted a cluster of blue umbrellas in the sand, each painted with a white letter to spell out Marry Me. Hiding underneath were Brooke's and Shea's family members, who cheered when Shea presented the ring.
The Setting
The duo immediately began planning their day: a California backyard affair on March 15, 2014, brimming with DIY details and a palette based on the blue and white of those umbrellas. And naturally for Brooke, that manifested in stripes on everything from invites to napkins, the bars, the cocktail-hour umbrellas (painted by the pair), and even the paper cones that were folded by the lovebirds to hold french fries.
The Stationery Suite
The couple designed the two-tone suite and called upon Consider the Lilies Paper Co. for calligraphy and fonts.
The Ushers
Outfitted in bow ties and sweaters from Zara, the bride's nephews handed out programs.
The Ceremony
Shea's mentor, Pastor Milt Richards, officiated at the alfresco ceremony, on the lawn of a family friend's residence in Shea's hometown of Temecula. The bridesmaids processed to a guitar version of Philip Phillips's "Sea of Love," then Brooke entered to an instrumental rendition of Coldplay's "Strawberry Swing." The couple exchanged vows in a Christian service set against rolling hills and a cross that Shea's dad constructed from reclaimed wood. After the I do's, the pair prayed together before recessing to their favorite hymns, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."
Petal Power
At the end of the ceremony, guests tossed white rose petals at the newlyweds. The petals were stashed in paper bags stamped with "Shower the Foleys" in the same calligraphy style as the invites.
Brooke's Look
Brooke searched coast to coast for the vintage lace material that would become her bridal gown. The unflappable bride ended up sourcing it from a small town in Kansas. She designed her own dress, belt, and veil with the help of her former team at label Holmes & Yang. She completed her look with custom Loeffler Randall heels and Bhldn jewelry.
The Bridal Bouquet
The bride's bouquet was a classic cream affair crafted from a mixture of white tulips, white lilac, David Austin garden roses, ranunculus, white sweet peas, and fringed tulips.
Proud Parents
Brooke shared a happy moment with her parents.
In the Navy
Brooke's bridesmaids, all relatives or longtime friends, chose their own navy dresses.
A Moment With Mom
Shea and his mom hugged post-ceremony.
The Groomsmen
Shea's college roommates traveled from far and wide (one even came all the way from New Zealand!) to be by his side on the big day. The groom wore a Spencer Hart tuxedo and Burberry bow tie, and his guys sported suits from The Black Tux. All of the gents accessorized with pocket squares from Apolis.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests mingled over cocktails on the terrace. Both sets of parents helped the couple paint blue-and-white slipcovers for the umbrellas on the cocktail patio.
Festive Fare
Guests snacked on french fries served in apropos containers. Sliders were also on offer during the cocktail hour so everyone could enjoy Brooke's favorite meal: a burger and fries.
Mini Bites
Sliders were dressed up with rubber-stamped flags that added to the festive atmosphere.
The White Stuff
"We wanted to keep the flowers very simple and decided to use them sparingly since the property was already so beautiful and green," Brooke says of her decision to stick with a minimalistic, all-white floral color scheme.
Selfie Smiles
The Mr. and Mrs., sporting permanent grins, posed for a selfie with family.
The Reception
Custom-made linens, including the striped napkins, adorned tables along with all-white centerpieces arranged in vessels Brooke and Shea had collected at flea markets.
For the Sweethearts
The bride chose a collection of white flowers—including French tulips, white lilac, David Austin garden roses, and snowball viburnum—to complement the sweetheart table's blue-and-white color scheme.
A New Monogram
Brooke and Shea showed off their new monogram at their sweetheart table with a custom hand-sewn table runner made from linens they sourced through Apolis.
The Menu
The buffet of tri-tip, roast chicken, and vegetables was followed by tiny ice cream cones, a milk-and-cookie bar, and a bonfire marshmallow roast. The couple shared a sweet moment with mini ice cream cones in homage to their first-date visit to Santa Monica's famous Sweet Rose ice cream parlor.
Berry Good
"I liked the idea of having the cake look like we baked it ourselves," Brooke says. But playing it smart, they outsourced the dessert to Sweet Layers Cakes & Pastries, who frosted vanilla bean cake with poppy-seed buttercream icing, then topped the whole thing with fresh fruit.
Dancing With Dad
"I always dreamed of having a tented wedding," says the bride, pictured here during the father-daughter dance to "My Girl" by the Temptations.
Fun and Games
In keeping with the color scheme, Ping-Pong matches were even played on a blue table.
Sweet Ride
The newlyweds adorned a 1964 Ford Mustang with paper bells, an idea Brooke saw in a 2004 issue of Martha Stewart Living. (We knew we liked this couple!)
Wedding Bells
The same tissue paper bells that adorned the getaway car were used to make a custom photobooth backdrop.
"Seeing how beautiful everything was made all the work we put into the wedding completely worth it," says Shea. So much so that the pair started their own event-styling business with a very appropriate name: Meet the Foleys.
All Lit Up
The newlyweds were all smiles during their magical, sparkler-filled sendoff.
Sources
Event Design, Flowers, and Stationery: Meet the Foleys
Day-Of Coordination: Tiffany's Party Designs
Tent and Rentals: Apex Tent and Party
Catering: Vineyard Gourmet Catering (951-694-6355)
Photography: Raya Carlisle Photography
Watercolor Artwork: Consider the Lilies Paper Co.
Cake: Sweet Layers Cakes & Pastries
Music: San Diego Partytime DJs
Hair: Lindsey Neavitt Hair
Makeup: My Girls on Film Studios
Photobooth: MVS Studio Inc.
Vintage Car Rental: Classic Mustang Rentals