On September 3, 2022, Vanessa and Nick hosted 69 friends and family in San Diego, California to celebrate their fairytale love and the beginning of their new family.
In October 2020, Selling Sunset star Vanessa Villela and creative director and photographer Nicholas (Nick) Hardy met online as friends. At the beginning of the relationship, Vanessa was in LA, and Nick was in England, and after three months of friendship, they met in person in Mexico. From the moment they met, they became a couple and began to date officially.
Just a year and three months later, Nick knew Vanessa was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. On January 26, 2022, he took her to the iconic steps of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles at sunset and popped the question. "It was a very private and super romantic moment with just the two of us," reminisces Vanessa. "It was truly magical with the Hollywood sign in the background like a movie! Just like our love story."
When it came to choosing where they would say "I do," Nick and Vanessa chose The Fairmont Grand Del Mar. As for the vision for their big day, the couple dreamed of a wedding that was "enchanting and cinematic." The bride and groom explain: “We wanted the event to be intimate, yet grand, and to create something that would wow people. Just like our love, this event was meant to reflect their fairytale love story.”
The first step on the planning agenda was to curate an amazing team to bring the day to life. They hired Jenan Dakroub of Ladee Designs to lead the effort. Ahead, see all the details with planning by Jenan Dakroub of Ladee Designs, photography by Christine Flower, and videography by Vanessa and the Raconteur Collective.
The couple chose a palette of blush, ivory, and gold for their wedding day. They wanted a nighttime event with lots of candles underneath the summer's moon and stars. Therefore, thanks to the efforts of all the suppliers who worked on the wedding, it was possible to make this day just as the couple dreamed.
The wedding was full of personalized details that made their day special. Nick wore a custom-made black tuxedo with two-tone purple and pink silk on the inside, while red contrast stitching was added to the sleeve, and the words "NV x TE AMO 3.SEP.22" were sewn inside. The groom also presented Vanessa with a locket with a heart engraved with "forever together" and the wedding date. The flutes the couple raised during their first toast were also personalized.
We are honored to be a part of Vanessa and Nick's wedding. They entrusted us with the production of their personalized wedding set and ring box. The bride and groom chose a custom set Blossom in silver color, that included flutes, a cake set, a plate, and two forks. Each element of the set is decorated with rhinestones, which convey all the beauty and luxury of a fairy-tale wedding.
The newlywed's flutes were personalized with engravings of Mr. Villela and Mrs. Hardy and their wedding dates. Ring box engraved with "Te amo mi Vida" and the date Nick proposed. The personalization of the wedding set engraved two important dates so that the couple will always remember the days when their hearts chose each other.
September 3 will forever remain in our memory as a bright and pleasant memory of this fabulous day. We are happy that Elena Honch became a part of this event.
Read more at Brides.
WEDDING TEAM
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION VENUE The Fairmont Grand Del Mar
PLANNER Jenan Dakroub
CHAMPAGNE FLUTES, CAKE CUTTER, AND RING BOX Elena Honch
CEREMONY BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER Galia Lahav
VEIL For Love Bridal
SECOND BRIDAL GOWN La Premiere from For Love Bridal
THIRD BRIDAL GOWN Custom Charbel Karam Haute Couture
BRIDE’S JEWELRY JustDesi
BRIDE’S ENGAGEMENT RING Giantto
WEDDING BANDS Happy Jewelers
SHOES Bella Belle Shoes
BRIDAL CROWN Maria Elena Headpieces
HAIR Elie Raad
MAKEUP Pepe Gutierrez
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES David’s Bridal
BRIDESMAID SHAWLS Gosha Pinno at Beautiful People
BRIDESMAIDS' AND MOTHER OF THE BRIDE'S JEWELRY Charlie Lapson
GROOM’S ATTIRE Zeglio by John Park
GROOM’S WATCH Hamilton Watches
GROOM’S ENGAGEMENT RING Holy Gems
FLOWER GIRL ATTIRE David’s Bridal
RING BEARER ATTIRE Little Tuxedo
FLORAL DESIGN Nancy Lobo Design
INVITATIONS Paperdoll Invitations
MENU, PLACE CARDS, AND TABLE NUMBERS Dolldine Designs
CALLIGRAPHY, WELCOME SIGN, AND SEATING CHART Shelby Creative Designs
CEREMONY ENTRANCE DECOR Enticing Tables
DOVES Feathers from Heaven
CAKE Mircat Cakes
WEDDING COCKTAILS Rémy Martin
RENTALS APR Boutique Event
TABLE RUNNERS BBJ La Tavola
LED SCREEN Ladee Designs
CANDLES Socal Candle Rental
TRANSPORTATION Royal Exotic Car Rental
VIDEOGRAPHER The Raconteur Collective
PHOTOGRAPHY Christine Flower
PHOTO BOOTH Pixster Photobooth
OPERA SINGER Tony Ferrari
MARIACHI BAND Mariachi Victoria
DJ Dancing DJ Productions
11-PIECE BAND Cardinal Gold Represented by On The Beat Music Agency
CEREMONY STRINGS Angelica Strings
AFTER PARTY DESSERT Cabetos Pops; Yummie Fountains
