Courtney and Kyle's Colorful La Jolla Real Wedding

Cinematographer Kyle Klütz, 33, whisked costume designer Courtney Arthur, 32, to a surprise weekend in San Diego just after popping the question at their home in Los Angeles, so it seemed only fitting that they choose to have their destination wedding at Darlington House in La Jolla. The couple, who had been dating since 2010 and, Courtney says, “fell in love over lots of movies, game nights, dinners out, and amazing vacations,” said their own vows in front of 75 loved ones before slipping into party mode. Guests ate grilled flat-iron steak, braised chicken, and brown butter gnocchi, then indulged in a wild assortment of desserts (the bride has a sweet tooth!) from VG Bakery.

The couple wanted to say “I do” by themselves, but Courtney didn’t want to give up on having bridesmaids altogether, so she had her seven best girlfriends wear dresses in the day’s color palette. “I think this was a great way to honor them while giving Kyle and me the intimacy at the altar we wanted,” she says.

The look of the escort cards was one of the bride’s favorite design elements. “I found vases in different heights and shapes to help give them a slightly eclectic and layered look, and Breesa filled them with the most beautiful blooms,” she says.

“The whole day was perfect and felt like an absolute dream,” Courtney says. “When I was walking down the aisle, everyone I saw was crying happy tears.”