A Cliffside Celebration on Laguna Beach
Show business seems to be in Lisa and Eric's blood. Eric and Lisa met while performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Eric played the Pharoah, and Lisa was a dancer in the play.
THE BRIDE
Lisa Kouchak, 35, choreographer and dancer
THE GROOM
Eric Martsolf, 33, television actor
THE DATE
October 10
THE SCENE
An outdoor ceremony at Occasions in Laguna Village and reception at a Greek restaurant across the street
CHRISTMAS BOX
Eric's best performance to date was the one he gave at his parent's house in Pennsylvania one Christmas. It was the first one Lisa was spending with his family, so it was bound to be a memorable one. After every gift was opened and everyone was headed off to bed, Eric pulled Lisa aside. "I think you forgot to open one," he said as he pulled out a blue ring box, and proceeded to propose.
A LITTLE HELP
When it came time to start planning, they first chose their location, Occasions at Laguna Village -- a site on the side of cliff overlooking the Pacific. Both the bride and the groom had wanted to be very active in the event coordination, but distance and work hampered that. "Neither one of us were familiar with Laguna Beach, and we lived about an hour and a half from there," says Lisa. "And we were both working so much right up until the wedding." Luckily for the couple, their on-site coordinator worked out all the details.
BEACHSIDE VOWS
Since many of their 105 guests were traveling from far away, Lisa and Eric planned their wedding for a Friday night. "We wanted them to have Saturday and Sunday to relax on the beach with us," says Lisa. "We even sent our save-the-dates on bookmarks so that people would bring books with them to read on the beach." But planning a beach wedding brings weather pressure: "We were both a bit nervous because most of the morning was cloudy," says Eric. "But just as the music started, the sun started creeping out and it was perfect."
NATURAL COLORS
The couple played off the natural beauty of the location, choosing organic colors like burgundy, beige, and dark green for their palette. The cliff-side ceremony took place in front of Roman pillars that were draped with flowers and garland. Candelabra filled with more blossoms flanked the aisle and later served as centerpieces for the reception. Dinner tables were covered with burgundy linens, votive candles, and rose petals.
GIFTS GALORE
As gracious hosts, Lisa and Eric gave their guests not one favor -- but five: personalized chocolates, wedding cake-shape candles, shot glasses, sachets, and slices of cake packed in boxes engraved with the couples' names and wedding date. As if that weren't enough, there was one more surprise in store -- a kickin' after-party at a Greek restaurant across the street from the reception. "We had a 'Big Fat Greek Party' complete with a band, belly dancers, and shots of ouzo!" says Lisa. But the best moment happened before they even made it there: "As we were walking across the street, cars were beeping and people were yelling 'Congratulations' out of their windows! It was so great." How's that for theatrical?
-- Joanna Saltz
INGREDIENTS
CEREMONY SITE: Occasions at Laguna Village (866) 321-9876, Laguna Beach
PHOTOGRAPHY: Rene Photography, RenePhotography.com
GOWN: A white corseted A-line gown by Maggie Sottero. Brides by Liza (818) 906-2218, Sherman Oaks. The best part was the "something blue-my shoes, which were baby-blue, strappy heels with ribbons tied around the ankle!" says Lisa.
VEIL: Mon Amie Bridal Salon (714) 546-5700, Costa Mesa
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Black halter gowns by Scott McClintock
FORMALWEAR: Eric's father stood as the best man and gave a speech that brought the house down: "He proved to be a stand-up comic despite his livelihood as a lawyer," says Lisa.
FLOWERS: La Tulipe Flowers (formerly Shannon's Flowers) (949) 249-1190, Laguna Nigel
CAKE: Each tier of the wedding confection was a different flavor-carrot cake with cream-cheese frosting; marble cake with chocolate filling; and white cake with raspberry filling. Rossmoor Pastries (562) 498-CAKE, Signal Hill
