Ivetta + John | Rivini Wedding from Roberto Valenzuela Photography

With a garden ceremony on the grounds of the Greystone Mansion and a grand Russian reception, rich with history and endless Eastern European fair…Ivetta + John’s wedding was a day that will stand out forever!  I love how chic and glamorous this couple and their guests look…everyone is so polished and dressed to the nines! One gets a real sense that not one detail was overlooked: thoughtful venues, elaborate floral arrangements and an incredible spread of food.  And the real work of art, Ivetta’s organza taffeta ball gown by Rivini poignantly named, Tulipe.  Perfect!

Ivetta + John | June 22, 2012 | Beverly Hills, CA

The Ceremony
The day my fiancé and I came to visit Greystone Mansion and Park as a possibility for our wedding ceremony location, we knew this would be it. We fell in love with this place! It was so peaceful – perfect for a wedding. The tranquility and serenity is unmatched, the architecture is marvelous, the city view is exceptional, the beautifully manicured garden with gorgeous flowers all around, the fountain, the stone walls surrounding the gardens all made it an ideal spot for the ceremony we had in mind. There is a beautiful area just beneath the formal garden called the cypress walk with humongous cypress trees creating a gorgeous setting for pictures. The beauty of this location mesmerized every one of our guests.

The Reception
As soon as we got engaged, the very first thing we knew for certain was where our reception would take place. Nothing was more perfect for us than Romanov Restaurant. This Russian venue is reminiscent of days of Tzars and takes you back to imperial Russia. The gorgeous, grand, gold chandeliers are the highlight of the venue. The burgundy draperies and beautiful lanterns set a beautiful mood. The Faberge eggs show off the splendor of the interior. The food served at Romanov is simply unmatched when it comes to quantity as well as quality. Everything is served banquet style and the tables overflow with irresistible dishes: anything from black caviar, to sturgeons, to seafood platters. And the presentation of dishes is magnificent.

 

Ivetta’s Dress Search
Quite honestly I didn’t have a particular wedding dress style in mind. The Rivini Tulipe dress I ended up purchasing was the very first dress I tried on, in the very first bridal salon I stepped into. My mom, sister and I had mapped out several bridal gown locations to visit, took a day off work and were ready for the adventure. It turned out my bridal gown shopping journey ended as soon as I put on this Rivini dress. The moment I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew I wanted nothing else. I felt this dress was meant for me. The color, the ruffles, the chapel length train, the very unique neckline captivated me. I was enchanted and lost for words. I knew this was perfect. It was a dream!

How Ivetta Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Elegant, Delicate, Angelic

Why Ivetta Decided To Sell Her Wedding Dress
I absolutely love my wedding dress.  However, since I will never wear it again I thought it will be nice to give somebody else an opportunity to feel like a princess for a fraction of the price that I paid for it.

Wedding Dress: Rivini Tulipe | Photography: Roberto Valenzuela | Ceremony Venue: Greystone Mansion and Park | Reception Venue: Romanov Restaurant  | Floral Design: Blue Iris | Cake: Rosebud Bakery