Sohee Carpenter and her husband Ben Carpenter, both superstars of the social media fitness world, had been “Instagram acquaintances” for years when they met for real at an international fitness conference in Barcelona in 2019 and their love story began!
We are so excited to share their chic, coastal California rehearsal dinner with you!
“Simple” and “elegant” were the words that came to mind when Sohee envisioned the rehearsal dinner’s vibe. Florist and event designer Nikki Anderson of Runaway Indie took these prompts and created an elevated outdoor celebration full of dusty blues, lush florals, and modern details.
And Photographer Julia Schweiss took stunning photos of the whole setup plus some great beachside golden hour shots of Sohee + Ben!!
Let’s get into it!
Guests were greeted by this gorgeous seating chart full of personalized powder blue seed packets that served as escort cards!
Take a look through our collection of 36 unique seating chart ideas we’re obsessed with to brainstorm your own creative way to guide guests to their seats.
“It’s really easy to replicate this vibe for your rehearsal dinner or bridal shower,” Nikki of Runaway Indie says. “You can skip the signs and escort card wall, and opt for clusters of blue and white florals in bud vases, for a budget-friendly way to achieve the look.”
Something Blue!
“Sohee initially shared her wedding palette moodboard as a starting point for the design and I instantly fell in love with the palette,” Nikki says. “However, I knew that I wanted to ensure that it looked different and unique from her wedding design while still feeling cohesive–almost like a mini wedding before the big wedding! So I drew from the dusty blues of her inspo and turned it into a “something blue” moment for her rehearsal dinner.”
We are so into the contrast of the modern frosted acrylic table numbers worked in with more ornate, vintage-vibe glass vases.
“We wanted the aesthetic of the evening to be romantic and whimsical,” says Nikki, “so I incorporated the ocean colors and hues of soft blue tones, white larkspur florals, bluebird hydrangeas, and a touch of wild blooms.”
Those sky blue frayed edge linen napkins pick up the blues in the florals and tie the whole table together.
Cheers!! Check out or list of stand-out wedding cocktails perfect for showing off your creativity to start dreaming up a signature drink that looks as delicious as this one.
We love how gold taper candle holders added a sleek, metallic touch to the tablescape.
How gorgeous is Sohee’s cushion cut halo engagement ring?! Explore our list of the 17 best places to buy engagement rings if you’re hunting for a sparkler of your own!
Sohee’s pearly mani fits perfectly with her “simple” and elegant” design vision. Take a look through our list of 41 beautiful wedding nail designs and ideas if you need some more bridal manicure inspo.
The Kensie Dress from Birdy Grey in satin white looks absolutely stunning on Sohee!! The sleek, chic one-shoulder bodice! The drama of the slit! We’re obsessed.
We love the simplicity of Sohee’s classic bun. Take a look through our roundup of 35 wedding updos for every hair type!
Congratulations, Sohee + Ben! This seaside, sunset rehearsal dinner was the definition of coastal elegance. We hope it was the perfect lead-up to your big day!! All the best from GWS!
Photography: Julia Schweiss | Event Planner + Floral: Nikki Anderson | Food: Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
Wow, the title alone captures the essence of what I imagine to be a dreamy California coastal rehearsal dinner! The idea of combining elegance with the natural beauty of the coast is simply brilliant. I can only imagine how the colors and textures played into creating a magical atmosphere. Thanks for sharing this inspiring event!