The history: In the middle of a crazy year, Brendan asked Kat to marry him. Instead of waiting for the wedding, they quickly planned a beautiful celebration at Montage. With just four other guests in attendance, Kat and Brendan fulfilled their commitment to living together despite difficult circumstances.

The site: Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, California. This beachfront retreat overlooks the sea and is an ideal location for an intimate celebration. The Monday holds many memories for Brendan and his family. Before the hotel was built, it was an RV park just steps from the sand. Brendan’s grandparents owned a house on the property, so he grew up swimming and snorkeling at Treasure Island Beach. They celebrated holidays, enjoyed family meals, and watched countless sunsets together. The location was an obvious choice for him and Kat to tie the knot – creating their first family memory together in a place steeped in history.

The atmosphere: A gourmet farm-to-table celebration alongside the sound of the Pacific waves. Take off your shoes under the table and lose yourself in the intoxicating anticipation of the next course. After a long lunch followed by a cake ceremony, Kat and Brandon watch the sunset with the sand between their toes.

The details: With an affair this intimate, it only made sense for the couple to get ready together in the comfort of their modern room at the hotel. Instead of staying apart or having a “first look” that wasn’t right for them, they broke with tradition and enjoyed even more time together in a relaxed way. Kat and Brendan decided to have a Zoom wedding ceremony with the Orange County Recorder’s office in their hotel room this morning and took plenty of time on their wedding day to enjoy the property, tuck into a tasting menu (multi-course meal) and Enjoy some stunning portraits to commemorate their day.

Tips & Highlights:

• Do what you want. Celebrate with a few guests if you like. Walk on the sand in your wedding attire. Break or keep tradition! The possibilities for your wedding day are endless and you have permission to celebrate your wedding however it feels right to you.
• Treat yourself to an incredible meal with a private chef. It will be an experience you will always remember.
• Kat and Brendan reserved the ocean view garden area at Montage for their cocktail hour, dinner and cake cutting. They sat next to planters growing the same herbs and vegetables that were sprinkled into their meal!

Suppliers:

Photography: Erin Marton Photography // Venue: Montage Laguna Beach // hair: beauty of the golden glow // Other services: Released + Pretty // stationery: Three petals floral and event design // Wedding dress: BHLDN // Submitted via: matchology