Dana Schwartz and Ian Karmel began their story when Ian invited Dana to be on his podcast. The two had been following each other on Twitter and were able to connect virtually for the episode. Dana remembers feeling instantly charmed; however, they still hadn’t met in person. The two stayed in touch, texting and chatting on the phone whenever they could. And while the pandemic initially prevented them from going on a ‘real date,’ they knew they were meant to be together. After moving in together, Ian rented out a private movie theater. That night they shared their first official dinner-and-a-movie style date, where they watched Dana’s favorite movie, You’ve Got Mail. Afterward, over ice cream, Ian proposed.
With the help of the planners at BK Events, Dana and Ian’s wedding embraced their playful personalities while celebrating their Jewish culture in a modern and elegant Los Angeles setting. The Ebell of Los Angeles provided the ambiance, as details of rich woods, ornate bricks, iron chandeliers, and magnificent ceilings made for an old-world statement. Seriously stunning! They shared their vows under the chuppah, and Dana remembers feeling great emotions while dancing the Hora, surrounded by all the important people in her life. Sister Blooms created beautiful floral installations and bouquets that were sure to stun and luckily Mandee Johnson was there to capture every monumental moment!
The Start of the Celebration
Love these floral arch wedding invites!
These personalized converse are too dang cute! (And such a comfy way to celebrate!)
The most adorable first look! The look on his face says it all… so sweet!
“My dress was Sarah Seven — I actually bought it at their Chicago location so I could look with my mom and sisters and had them send it to LA. I knew I wanted classic and timeless. But then our wedding day was 105 degrees so I ended up with an emergency contingency plan of changing into a Galvan dress I already owned to make it easier (and cooler!) to dance.”
A Sentimental Walk Down the Aisle
Processional: A live band playing “Chateau Lobby #4” by John Misty
Recessional: Ain’t That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin
First Dance: All of Me by Billie Holiday
Saying our vows together under a beautiful chuppah was one of my favorite memories — I didn't think I would cry as hard as I did. I also loved doing the Hora, and looking around and seeing everyone in the world we love.
Put your hands together for the newlyweds!
Such a good-looking couple! For inquiring minds…the groom is wearing head-to-toe Gucci.
A Romantically Elegant Reception
Looking for a unique send-off gift for your guests?! This couple thought of something so unique!! The two created a custom tea blend from one of their favorite tea companies, evoking a feeling of warmth and joy to reflect the night.
“We both love tea, and one of our favorite tea companies, Smith Tea in Portland, made us a custom blend to celebrate the wedding. We gave out boxes to our guests as favors.
The couple dreamed of their wedding to be elegant without being fussy. They were inspired by the European aesthetic and vintage details of their venue, The Ebell of Los Angeles, and wanted to evoke the vibe of a casual dinner in the Italian countryside. …Needless to say they NAILED IT!
Their reception highlighted so many unique elements of their personalities. Their signature cocktails were named after their two cats Eddie and Beetlejuice and their cocktail napkins included an array of fun and humorous facts about the couple!
Not a cake fan? Not a problem! The couple had the iconic Voodoo Donuts as dessert for their guests!
Ending the Night… Right!
How fun is this! Ian surprised Dana with a massive sword to cut their wedding cake!
Think about what really matters to you, and don't let your family put too much pressure on you.
Congratulations, Dana and Ian! By the looks of it, you two had an absolute blast! Cheers to you and thank you for sharing your beautiful story with Green Wedding Shoes!
photography: Mandee Johnson // venue name: The Ebell of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, US // planning: BK Events // florals: Sister Blooms // wedding dress: Sarah Seven // groom attire: Gucci // videography: Ed Ballart // handmade details: Smith Tea // desserts: Voodoo Donuts // tabletop rentals: Bright Event Rentals // photo booth: Paper Moon Shoppe
