Creative Wedding on the CBS Backlot: Lauren + Andy

blush bridesmaids

The title of today’s feature probably grabbed your attention and you might be wondering how Lauren + Andrew thought of (and secured) the CBS Studios Backlot for their wedding venue – we know we were! Well, since they are both scriptwriters for television in Los Angeles, they had access to the studios and it was a pretty easy decision to go with a place that represented them so perfectly. They decided to theme their wedding “I heart LA” (L for Lauren, A for Andy… and, obviously, also standing for Los Angeles!). And they incorporated some really fun, and very “LA”, details into the day, like writing a script for the ceremony, having their guests walk the red carpet (complete with paparazzi!) and a funny powerpoint presentation thank you speech from the two of them at the reception. We just love how much personality this wedding shows + can’t thank Jonas Peterson enough for the awesome photos!

Justin Alexander Wedding Dress

LA record invitation

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

red carpet wedding

Lauren + her girls, looking like starlets! Her dress is by Justin Alexander and the bridesmaids wore sparkly frocks from Rent The Runway.

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Andy: It’s cliché, but it was honestly watching Lauren walk down the aisle. I was filled with such an overwhelming sense of gratitude and excitement thinking about how this was the beginning of my greatest adventure. Didn’t think I was going to cry, but I did.

Lauren: Someone had given us the (awesome!) advice to sneak off during the reception and watch the festivities from a distance. A wedding is so special because it’s the only time in your life you’ll have everyone you love (your friends, your family) in one place. The only time you’ll see your Grandma boogie-ing down on the dance floor next to your college best friend. So while our guests were walking the “red carpet” Andy and I spied on everyone drinking, laughing, and posing for the paparazzi cameras.

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

L + A tell us more about their “scripted” ceremony, where their friends acted out their entire relationship! Our officiant narrated as Lauren’s cousins acted out vignettes. Mini re-enactments of our “Meet Cute,” “First Date,” “Proposal”, etc. They wore signs that said “Lauren” or “Andy” and our DJ provided the soundtrack. Of course the story culminated at “The Wedding” section, which is when we took over and finished the love story with our vows.

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Moms: Hey Mama – Mat Kearney; Bridal Party: Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey (they thought it would be a funny to choose a cheesy 90s song from those middle school days); Bride: Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros

Recessional: Chocolate – Snow Patrol

First Dance: You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

giant guess who

Lauren says, For cocktail hour we decided to give people a glimpse into our first date, which included some old-school board games. So we made GIANT versions of the games we played (Connect Four and Guess Who). We even put our guests’ faces into the Guess Who game so people would get to know everyone at the wedding.

lemonade stand

CBS Backlot Wedding

The reception, which took place on “New York Street” (where Brooklyn Nine-Nine is currently being filmed), was beautified with the help of the team at A Stunning Affair + Joji Rose floral design.

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

^^ LOVE IT! ^^

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

CBS Backlot Wedding

See more this super fun wedding in the film below by Joe Petrilla of SparkStory:

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

We’re sure everyone’s gotten the same advice—the most important thing is celebrating the two of you and sharing your day with people you love, make it unique to you, don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy every minute, don’t drive yourself crazy trying to “out Pinterest” your friends—and, yes, all of that is 100% true. But for the brides/grooms looking for more practical advice we have this—wear flats (no one sees your shoes!), when in doubt include videography, and HIRE A DAY-OF COORDINATOR. Ours was a total life savor and made our day look effortless (which it definitely wasn’t).

photography: Jonas Peterson // venue name: CBS Studios Radford Lot, Studio City, California // event design: We did this crazy thing ourselves // planning: Lina Wallace of A Stunning Affair // florals: Joji Rose // wedding dress: Justin Alexander // hairpiece: Clip was borrowed, veil was made by Carlos from Moises Gomez & Associates // bride's shoes: Via Spiga Lilac Ballet flat in Silver // bridesmaid dresses: Rent The Runway // hair stylist: Kasia Bohos at Kasia B Makeup // makeup artist: Kasia Bohos at Kasia B Makeup // videography: Joe Petrilla of SparkStory // paper goods: Daniel at Sonic Print // cake: Hillary Naishtat (friend) // music: The Flashdance // officiant: Matthew Rodrigues (host of POPSUGAR) // groom attire: Hugo Boss, Groomsman's were "The Rat Pack Outfit" rented from The Black Tux // catering: Events D'Elegance and In-N-Out // rentals: Most rentals were through Joji Rose, Draping over ceremony was done through Sandy at Premiere Party Rentals, Trees and hedges were from Jackson Shrubbery // av: Herb Lehmann Projection // production designer: Allesandra Said

Explore: