A Chic + Whimsical Fairytale Forest Wedding Full of Overgrown Florals

Marilyn + Tristan’s wedding planning goal was to create an event that felt like a romantic fairytale. 

Ebell in Long Beach, California provided a charming and decadent old-world backdrop for Marilyn + Tristan’s fairytale vision. With the help of planners from Sugarplum & Co. and florals by Foxtail Florals, the couple transformed the Ebell’s courtyard into an overgrown enchanted forest. Crystal sphere chandeliers sparkled, earthy + ethereal florals dripped and draped from archways, and romantic blush pinks and deep greens made up the day’s whimsical color world.

We are absolutely spellbound by the way that Marilyn + Tristan’s day perfectly balanced its dreamy fairytale aesthetic with a chic, contemporary approach to design. So glad Katherine Joy Photography was there capturing every magical moment so we can give you a peek!

One of Marilyn + Tristan’s favorite parts of the process? Designing their own wedding invitations and having them printed by the experts at Czar Press. Every detail is pink + green perfection. How charming are the burgundy velvet band and gold wax seal?

Marilyn’s perfectly styled wavy bob and neutral soft glam makeup look were the work of Emily Lynn & Co. and those fab Regency-inspired wedding shoes are from American Duchess, a brand that specializes in historical reproduction footwear.

The First Look

Our Favorite Memory
From the bride: "The most memorable moment was our first look. I’d kept my dress a secret, and I was excited to see Tristan’s reaction, but he’s normally not a super emotional guy so I wasn’t expecting anything dramatic. When he finally saw me, he surprised me by doing the biggest happy cry. I’ll always remember holding him while he told me how beautiful I looked!"

The Ceremony

Can we get a standing ovation for Foxtail Florals?! These organic green and earth-tone installations, floral towers, and aisle arrangements created an immersive fantasy forest.

Explore our guide to planning a fairycore wedding if you’re loving the woodsy storybook whimsy of Marilyn + Tristan’s day.

New flower girl idea unlocked! Why toss petals on the ground when you can hand out beautiful blooms to all your guests?

Tristan teamed up with Art Lewin Bespoke and designed this one-of-a-kind forest green suit himself! He paired the look with a pair of black lace up boots from Cole Haan.

Marilyn’s unique, flowy bridal scarf adds so much to the silhouette! We’re obsessed. Such a creative alternative if you want something more distinct than a veil or bridal cape.

“I knew from the start that I wanted a nontraditional dress,” says bride Marilyn. “Growing up, I never really liked the classic bridal looks I’d seen, and I wanted something that made more of a statement.” Marilyn discovered LA-based designer CINQ on TikTok and fell in love. A visit to the showroom led her to this ethereal strapless structured bodice column gown with its dreamy detached sleeves and ribbon details. “CINQ’s dresses are an edgy, modern take on romantic historical silhouettes, and I wish I could’ve worn them all!”

We are absolutely obsessed with this earthy mismatched bridal party palette! Marilyn’s crew found their stunning satin bridesmaid dresses at Reformation, Azazie, Shona Joy, and Bec + Bridge.

Check out our collections of the best rose gold bridesmaid dresses and the best sage green bridesmaid dresses to capture the same bridal party color palette.

The Reception

Stephanie’s Linens decked the reception tables out with tinted vintage-inspired glassware and textured table runners for a dreamy fairy decor vibe. We love way that the mix of cut glass votives and light pink taper candles added a magical glow to the tablescape.

This whimsical, three-tier fairytale wedding cake covered in fresh figs and florals was created by SusieCakes.

Our Advice
From the bride: "Planning a wedding is super stressful, but it also helped us learn how to work as a team and take on big challenges together. Framing wedding planning in those terms rather than getting sucked up in all of the anxieties really helped us grow as a couple, and I think it set us up to tackle any hurdles we face in the future. 
Also, keeping a huge running to-do list of every wedding-related task was essential! Having everything written down — especially the tiny stuff that’s easy to forget — helped us relax and take our minds off planning when we needed a break."

Our Musical Choices
Processional
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys + "Can’t Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley (played by a string quartet)
Recessional
"Happy Together" by The Turtles
First Dance
"Pool" by Still Woozy + Remi Wolfe

Marilyn + Tristan love local LA radio station KCRW, so they brought on their favorite station DJ, Travis Holcombe, to keep everyone dancing all night long!

Congratulations, Marilyn + Tristan, on your romantic fairytale wedding day! Here’s to a lifetime of magic for you both!