Candace and Jason’s Grace Kelly-Inspired Villa Wedding in California

Candace and Jason built their wedding around a feeling rather than a rigid period theme: the romance of a European trip, interpreted through modern styling and personal details. Their celebration at Villa del Sol d’Oro in California paired a Grace Kelly-inspired bridal look with French-influenced touches, an outdoor dinner and meaningful references to the couple’s engagement.

A European mood, rooted in the couple’s story

The idea took shape after Candace and Jason became engaged in Paris and followed the proposal with an unplanned getaway to the Italian coast. Candace said the trip felt dreamlike, and the couple wanted to carry that romantic European quality into the day through its details. That approach gave the wedding a clear point of view without requiring every element to look antique or formal.

For the setting, they chose Villa del Sol d’Oro, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The 1920s villa is a two-thirds-scale replica of Villa Collazzi near Florence, which is rumored to have been designed by Michelangelo. Its Italian Cypress trees, rose garden and established architecture did much of the visual work before any additional décor arrived.

That existing character shaped the floral plan. Candace said the grounds were beautiful enough that the couple didn’t want to overwhelm them with flowers. Of The Flowers highlighted selected areas, allowing the garden and villa to remain central. For couples choosing a venue with strong architectural or garden features, this is a useful design principle: concentrate arrangements where they’ll make a difference, rather than treating every surface as a blank canvas.

Personal details with a handmade touch

The stationery brought family and friendship into the design. Candace worked with her friend Heather of The Pointed Pen on formal invitations, while her brother painted a watercolor of the villa for the front of each invitation. The finished piece connected the venue to the couple’s story and made the artwork personal, not just decorative.

Candace designed her wedding gown with her dressmaker, Lucille, whom she affectionately called her “fairy godmother.” Grace Kelly served as her style muse, and the goal was a classic silhouette with enduring appeal. The dress used Chantilly lace sourced from France, and the bodice was sewn by hand. The process took nearly 10 months; Candace described it as both enjoyable and meaningful, and hoped one day to pass the gown down to her daughter.

Vows and reception details that carried meaning

The couple’s personalized vows became Candace’s favorite moment. She recalled feeling emotional in front of their guests, yet described the exchange as quiet and genuine—as though the two of them were alone. It’s a reminder that a carefully chosen setting and a large gathering don’t have to make a ceremony feel impersonal; the words and pace can keep the focus on the couple.

The reception palette stayed soft: cream, taupe, sand and pale blush. Candace liked the ease and gentleness of those muted shades, then added a small French-inspired note with blue bouquet-blossom china for the tableware. Guests dined outdoors at sunset while Edith Piaf played. The effect came from a few connected choices—color, china, music and the open-air setting—rather than an excess of themed props.

One reception detail recalled the couple’s engagement directly. After Jason proposed, the two walked along the Pont de l’Arcevêché, where they attached locks and threw the key into the river. Candace wanted to bring that memory into the wedding, but finding enough vintage locks proved difficult. She adapted by making escort cards for each couple, tying them with a small brass lock and key and displaying them on a wrought-iron gate inspired by the bridge.

Instead of serving a traditional wedding cake, Candace and Jason chose a dessert bar with bite-size sweets and a range of options. That decision matched their preference for variety and gave guests another way to enjoy the reception without making the cake the only dessert centerpiece.

A pause to take in the day

Candace’s advice for couples is simple: set aside a quiet moment on the wedding day. She recommends sitting in silence, noticing what’s happening and sharing gratitude with the people who came to celebrate. With so many details demanding attention, that pause offers a way to be present for the occasion itself.

The day was photographed by BrancoPrata. Robert Michael Films documented it through a set of short films called the “Vignette Series,” each focused on a particular moment. The linked film is “The Vignette Series” // Candace and Jason.

Wedding credits

Photography: BrancoPrata // Venue: Villa del Sol d’Oro // Planning and design: Twine Events // Videography: Robert Michael Films // Wedding dress: bespoke // Bridesmaid dress: Jenny Yoo // Florals: Of The Flowers // Calligraphy: The Pointed Pen // Musicians: Angelica Strings // Décor: Dish Wish // Rentals: Archive Rentals // Drinks: BottleShop 48 // Cake: Fantasy Frostings // Transport: ABC Tours // Officiant: Moore John Rev.