You've Got to See Alyssa Campanella and Torrance Coombs' Royal-Inspired Wedding Photos
When it came to Alyssa Campanella (26 and a fashion and travel blogger and former Miss USA) and Torrance Coombs's (32 and an actor on CW's Reign and ABC's Still Star-Crossed) wedding planning, it was a no-brainer as to what would inspire their nuptials. "Our theme was 'a royal California wedding,'" Campanella says. "Everyone knows how much I love European royal history, so I think it came as no surprise to anyone."
The first step in bringing this vision to life was choosing the perfect venue. The couple fell in love with Sunstone Villa right away, since it reminded them of a villa they vacationed at in France. To match the elegant, sweeping space, the bride enlisted her close friend and designer Lauren Elaine to make her ceremony and reception dresses, which were inspired by royal brides like Grace Kelly. The white silk dupioni and French lace ceremony dress had a regal balloon skirt with illusion lace sleeves, and a special detail on the train. "Since Lauren knows how much I love Kate Middleton and her style, she had my wedding train be the same length as hers," Campanella says. To top off her look, she chose a majestic bouquet of cascading blooms inspired by the ones carried by Princess Diana and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway on their wedding days.
Every other detail, from the scroll ceremony programs with wax seals to the music, including their recessional of "Crown Imperial" from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, was chosen with their theme in mind. The couple's 55 guests feasted on a five-course dinner, complemented by "his" and "hers" signature drinks appropriately named The King's Cocktail (a pre-Prohibition martini) and The Queen's Cocktail (a pomegranate Bellini).
Thanks to their dream team of pros, headed by planners Christina Schneider and Erica Hartman of Cake and Punch Productions, the wedding day was "blissfully perfect," Campanella says. "Our vendors were so positive and such joys to work with. They all had beautiful visions for our wedding." See more photos of their wedding below:
The maid of honor (Campanella's sister) and bridesmaids (her stepsister and two best friends) also wore dresses designed by Lauren Elaine, made with silk chiffon. "Like Kate Middleton, I knew I wanted my bridesmaids to wear a light color, so I chose ivory for my girls," Campanella says.
Coombs wore his own Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a gold bow tie to match the groomsmen gold ties and complement the wedding colors of white, gold and green.
Pink and white flowers and greenery cascaded down the dramatic staircase behind the ceremony altar, which was a wine barrel—a nod to the vineyard venue. Pretty green garlands also lined each side of the aisle. "Our ceremony décor was magical," Campanella says.
Campanella and Coombs opted to have one long reception table, which they sat at the head of, to create an intimate, interactive setting for guests.
"As a unique twist for our place settings, we had menus, napkins and an herb bundle wrapped in silk at each seat with the guest's name written in calligraphy," Campanella says. Gold and white place settings and gold candleholders also gave the table a regal feel, while a lush green garland complemented the color palette.
The wedding wouldn't have been complete without the couple's cats, Renly and Daenerys (pictured), who wore a mini flower crown.
The four-tier naked wedding cake had vanilla bean and lemon cake with white chocolate buttercream frosting.
Campanella's sapphire engagement ring complemented Coombs's clean and simple white gold band.
One of Campanella's charities she worked with during her Miss USA reign was Cookies for Kids' Cancer, which funds pediatric cancer research. Guests were given chocolate chip cookies for favors with a note that said a donation had been made in their honor to the charity.
Ceremony & Reception Site The Sunstone Villa, Santa Ynez, CA Photography & Videography Danielle & Kevin Snelson/The Why We Love Planner Cake and Punch Productions Flowers Anna Le Pley Taylor Officiant Marriage With Meaning Wedding Dress & Veil Lauren Elaine Hair & Makeup The Blushed Company Shoes Valentino Wedding Rings INTA Gems & Diamonds Bridesmaid Dresses Lauren Elaine Formalwear Calvin Klein; Ralph Lauren Stationery Linen & Leaf Rentals Archive Rentals; Otis + Pearl Catering Omni Catering Cake Frost It Cakery Music & Photo Booth Epic Entertainment Favors Frost It Cakery; Linen & Leaf Rehearsal Dinner Dress Rosa Clará Rehearsal Dinner Accessories Tiara:Eden Luxe Bridal; clutch: Kate Spade New York; shoes: Stuart Weitzman