Genese and Paul’s Blush Beachside Wedding

By Erica Nichols

Pretty in pink to the max, Genese and Paul’s big day at Monarch Beach Resort at Dana Point was outfitted with all the makings of a fairytale. Think: soft, feminine floral arrangements by Flowers by Cina, dreamy drapery ascended over the banquet-style tables, and embellished chandeliers.

“I kept asking ‘whose wedding is this?’” jests Genese, who planned the wedding afar. “We live in New York and got married in California, so it was a bit tricky at times. All the stars aligned when we got the best of the best vendors.”

That includes their photographer, Ryon Lockhart, who won them over on a first look—the moment that really took their breath away.

“At first, we did not want to do a first look at all; we wanted the traditional moment walking down the aisle,” she says. “But getting to see each other before the madness starts and laugh and hug and talk about how crazy this whole day is and what Paul thinks of the dress was amazing!”

To that same tune, they broke with superstitions again, following up their special moment by walking through the ceremony and reception site hand-in-hand to soak it all in before the real ordeal began.

“We were blown away by how it came out; it felt unreal.”