Today’s real wedding featuring our wonderful couple Robyn and Max was a literal dream. Hailing from and based in the Bay Area in California, they tied the knot in the historic Mediterranean villa Villa Montalvo in the hills of Saratoga on a sun-soaked August day.
This English garden party wedding drew inspiration from Bridgerton and it was brimming with old-world romance. Not only was their special day downright divine but the couple incorporated loads of meaningful elements that were so personal to their life and love story. We know you are going to be utterly charmed when you check out the artful wedding photography by Ashley Noelle Edwards below. Let’s go!
Let’s kick off with their love story. Robyn and Max met when they were 14 when they were introduced by their mums. They tell us, “Robyn’s mom was working with new members for the National Charity League Heritage Oaks chapter when Max’s mom and sister were joining NCL in 2011. The moms got to talking and found out that both of their children were involved in musical theatre and were entering their freshman years at Bellarmine and Presentation. Meanwhile, Max was in a summer production of Hairspray, playing Link Larkin, that the Naragons were already planning on attending, so after the show the moms introduced the two.” Robyn thought Max was very cute and Max thought Robyn was very tall!
Throughout freshman year they would see each other at dances and football games and only say ‘hi’ to one another but fate would see them cast as two of the five freshmen in Bellarmine’s musical of Tommy by The Who and that was what kickstarted their years of friendship. In junior year they were cast as Mr and Mrs Rosario in In the Heights at Presentation High School and while they were playing a married couple they realised that they might actually be more than friends. It was a sweet full-circle moment on December 9, 2013, as Max walked Robyn to her car in the Bellarmine parking lot after a rehearsal of Hairspray, where Max was reprising his role as Link Larkin, and he asked her to be his girlfriend. She said yes!
They continue, “Four proms and two musicals later, it was time to leave for college. Max moved to Chicago, where he attended Loyola University Chicago, and Robyn moved to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where she attended Boston College. While long distance wasn’t easy, Robyn and Max were committed to each other and worked hard to continue strengthening their relationship. The silver lining was that they were able to gain two new sets of amazing friends and visit each other in some pretty incredible places along the way (Chicago, Boston, Hanoi Vietnam, France, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and Mexico!). Their long distance came to a close when Max moved to Boston after graduation much to the delight of Robyn and her friends.
They continue, “The two spent almost three years enjoying city life and exploring the Northeast. Some favorites: ski trips with friends throughout New England (even a trip to Québec!), Harpoonfests, nights at Beacon Hill Pub, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, and weekends in New York City. While the East Coast will forever hold a special place in their hearts, Robyn and Max knew deep down that California would always be home. Thanks to remote work, they were able to turn the journey west into a three-month long road trip, visiting friends, family, and sights across America.”
Robyn and Max arrived in California in August 2022 and they spent months exploring the north and south to find the perfect place to settle down. While touring East Bay they fell in love with Walnut Creek. They adored the central location, the beautiful scenery, and the schools and community aligned with what they needed. Soon after they moved into their new home they welcomed their adorable new fur baby, their dog Mathilda.
Fast forward to the proposal, where they were on a ski trip in Park City in Utah for a long weekend with their friends from Boston but little did Robyn know that Max had been working with them to plan the surprise proposal. They reflect, “Unfortunately, Max lost the rental car keys the morning of the first day, and Robyn, trying to help, double-checked Max’s backpack and found a certain type of box that she wasn’t supposed to see. It looked like Max was up to something. On their last day in Utah, the group made a stop on their way to dinner for what Robyn thought was going to be a chance to get some group pictures with her girlfriends. Little did she know, Max had hired a professional photographer to capture the special moment. On March 20, 2023, nine years, three months, and eleven days after that night in the Bellarmine parking lot, Max proposed to Robyn at McPolin Farm in Park City, and she said yes!”
Robyn and Max wanted their wedding to bring all their loved ones together and they wanted to squeeze every magical moment out of the celebration with them so they decided on a weekend wedding. “We love our people, and we knew that our wedding would be one of – if not the only – time that everyone would be in the same place. Since about half or more than half of our wedding guests needed to travel in, we planned events for Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday morning as options for guests in town, and as a way for us to spend more time with everyone.”
Robyn had always thought Villa Montalvo would make a breathtaking wedding venue and it’s only 20 minutes from their parents’ houses. “So it’s easy to get to for our local friends and family, but it feels like you’re in Europe once you’re there. I grew up hiking the trails on the property and seeing shows in their theatre. It’s also a public park, which means that we can easily go back and visit!”
From the classic works of Jane Austen to modern shows such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton the bride has always adored period pieces so their wedding was loaded with old-world romantic details.
The bridesmaids carried sweet bouquets packed with pastel blooms including Persian buttercups, blue tweedia, roses, and Texas bluebell.
Robyn was a vision wearing a lace off-the-shoulder dress by Monique Lhuilier with illusion sleeves and a full skirt. Her floral lace-edged veil and jewellery were from Etsy and she wore lace heels by Bella Belle.
From baby blue bows to fairytale flowers by Thistle & Blooms, their ceremony styling took our breath away. “I really wanted the wedding to feel like an elegant, formal event for our guests. It’s not every day that you get to spend the evening at a villa!”
Max’s elegant wedding day look had a vintage twist as his suit from Dobell included a morning tailcoat and striped morning suit trousers, which he styled with a white shirt from Indochino, a vest from Hawes & Curtis, a white bow tie, and black brogues from Bolano.
They exchanged vows in a breathtaking, sun-drenched outdoor ceremony. “Our string quartet was also incredible, it really helped set the mood for the whole ceremony and cocktail hour,” they share.
One of the most magical moments of their celebration was when they exchanged their vows. “We hadn’t originally planned on reading our vows publicly, but I’m glad that we ended up doing so – I think it made everyone feel more connected to us and our story.”
Their beloved pooch was a paw-fect guest wearing an absolutely darling pink bow.
Robyn’s bridesmaids and bridesman were fabulous in floral prints wearing styles from Reformation, Birdy Grey, Zapaka, Yumi Kim, ASTR the Label, and Twisted Tailor.
Charmed Events brought their wildest wedding dreams to life, and we are utterly obsessed with every detail.
From scrumptious cocktails to lawn games such as cornhole board (with an utterly gorgeous bespoke design), their sun-kissed drinks reception was a dreamy affair.
Also exuding vintage allure was their wedding car, a 1940 Packard Touring. So chic!
Video played a key role in capturing the pure magic of their special day. “Max’s family has a ton of old home videos, and my childhood was spent making videos with her friends. That led us to finding our videographers, who offered a ‘time capsule’ package so that we could re-watch our whole wedding day just like we would a home video. They also included camcorders that were passed around amongst the wedding party and guests throughout the day so that everyone could record messages and their POV of the day, which has been so special to watch back.”
Their reception styling exuded ethereal elegance with floral print table cloths, table numbers boasting delicate floral illustrations, tasseled menus, taper candles on brass holders in glass containers and an explosion of pastel blooms.
From the delicate pearls to the intricate frills, the detailing on their tiered Lambeth vintage-inspired buttercream cake was sensational!
We would have the same reaction after seeing the dreamy reception for the first time!
As for wedding planning advice, they say, “This day is about you two
and your love. What matters most is that you two are on the same page throughout the planning, and that the day reflects who you are as a couple.”
Their celebration also included an epic champagne tower pour, they nailed it!
Their string quartet played Beauty & The Beast as their first dance song which was Robyn’s favourite childhood movie.
They chose Maui in Hawaii as their honeymoon destination and they loved it! “Hawaii provides a great balance of relaxation and adventure, so we would definitely recommend a visit to future honeymooners!”
They made a pit-stop for burgers to fuel up for the epic after-party.
Paying tribute to their love for musical theatre they met their DJ at a local bar for a karaoke dance party! “We have so many talented friends and family, it was so much fun to see our them get up on stage and perform!”
A massive thank you to Robyn and Max for sharing their special day with One Fab Day and a huge thanks also to Ashley Noelle Edwards for the divine images. See even more pictures of Villa Montalvo wedding in the gallery below.
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