Exclusive: Celebrity Real Estate Agent Brendan Brown Reveals His Wedding Album
It takes a special kind of connection to get married at the Chateau Marmont. The prolific West Hollywood hotel, which has hosted some of the most iconic celebrities and public figures in history, is a hotspot for elite travelers—though weddings are rarely permitted to take place on the property. But this wasn't a setback for luxury real estate agent Brendan Brown and his partner, David Vrbecky. The celebrity broker, whose A-list roster of clientele includes some of the biggest names in Hollywood, previously lived at the Chateau Marmont and developed close ties to its staff. Thanks to his unique connection to the iconic venue, he was able to reserve it for his big day.
Brendan Brown and his husband David Vrbecky got married on December 16, 2023, in front of just 40 guests. They turned both the Chateau Marmont and the Sunset Tower Hotel into their own personal playground for the weekend, taking over the penthouse with their intimate winter nuptials. Here, we unveil Brendan Brown's first wedding photos, allowing you to take a peek inside the incredible celebration.
In this article:
- Brendan Brown's Wedding Photos & Details
- Brendan Brown & Husband David Vrbecky's Love Story
- Brendan Brown's Wedding Vendors
Brendan Brown's Wedding Photos & Details
Following their engagement in Saint-Tropez on July 21, 2022, Brendan Brown and David Vrbecky, a deputy general counsel, knew there were only two spots they would consider for their wedding venue: the Chateau Marmont and the Sunset Tower Hotel. "These venues hold tremendous memories for not only myself but for us as a couple," Brown explains. "It's where we spend and celebrate all of our birthdays, holidays and date nights."
Although the Chateau Marmont isn't typically available to book for weddings, Brown's personal connection opened up the possibility. "I've previously lived at the Chateau Marmont and still use the living room as an office half of the week," he shares. "The hotel is literally my home away from home, so planning our wedding with staff who I already knew so intimately was such a great experience."
They also wanted to include the Sunset Tower Hotel because of its poignant significance in their love story. "Sunset is where we spent our first weekend together as a couple, and it's where David told me he loved me for the first time. That was three weeks in," Brown adds with a smile.
For the ceremony at the penthouse of the Chateau Marmont, the couple leaned into a moody color palette of neutral black and white hues with hunter green accents. Brown worked with PaigeNCo, a UK-based stationery designer on Etsy, to customize their invitations with gold foil and a drawing of the hotel on torn parchment paper, which were tucked inside hunter green envelopes.
Leaning into the seasonal vibe, the couple kept florals to a minimum and instead accented the suite with a vibrant Christmas tree. "It was more 'us,'" Brown says of the festive centerpiece, "and we loved that it was something everyone could join around."
While Vrbecky originally wanted to spend the wedding morning getting ready with his fiancé, the couple went their separate ways so their first "official" moment together could be captured by their photographer, Carsten Schertzer. One non-negotiable for Brown was to have his hairstylist, Alex Osorio, on hand the entire day—not just during the morning. "Of course, I wanted him there for my hair to always be on point (which was crucial), but also because he's such a great guy with the best energy," Brown muses. "Having people like that in our lives and incorporated into our wedding was really special."
Both grooms opted to wear Ralph Lauren tuxedos for the refined affair, accessorizing with pieces from Tom Ford, Gucci, YSL and Tiffany & Co.
Breaking with tradition, the couple didn't walk down an aisle. Instead, they proceeded to the penthouse suite together after taking first look portraits. In addition to the Christmas tree, the couple "decorated" the space by tapping into their guests' sense of smell. The intimate room was filled with the dark, leathery essence of their favorite scent: the Diptyque John Galliano candle.
The penthouse perfectly accommodated their modest guest list. Rather than have a wedding party, the grooms were joined by their "right five." Brown's niece and nephew served as the flower girl and ring bearer, while his brother Blaine officiated the ceremony.
Both Brown and Vrbecky exchanged custom-written vows, which proved to be a challenge for the real estate broker. "I consider myself quite the wordsmith, but I was editing them right up to the last moment," he recalls. "[David] was incredibly confident with his words."
Rather than have an extravagant recessional after the ceremony, the newly minted husbands opted for a more relaxed vibe once the ceremony came to a close. "We continued to hang out in the penthouse until the reception," Brown shares.
From there, the grooms and their guests traveled to the Tower Bar at Sunset Tower Hotel for dinner. The menu, which was carefully curated by the staff, expertly combined their favorite dishes from the iconic Hollywood landmark. To start, guests enjoyed a chopped salad, pigs in a blanket, and deviled eggs—Brown's "all-time favorite."
Dinner was a medley of grilled salmon, chicken paillard and steak frites. Considering the hotel is known for its hot chocolate cake, it was an essential precursor to the main dessert. Before the after party began, the small group enjoyed a lavish wedding cake from Hansen's Cakes. Thinking back on the three-tier confection, which had chocolate chips sprinkled inside, Brown calls it the "most delicious cake I ever tasted."
After dessert, everyone headed back to the penthouse at the Chateau Marmont for the party, which had a lively "after-hours club" vibe. (It was so exclusive, in fact, that photos weren't even allowed.) Guests changed into plush hotel robes, indulged in sweets from a colorful candy bar, and danced to music from a Bluetooth speaker as they looked out on the terrace overlooking the rolling hills of Hollywood. Although the couple didn't share a first dance, they enjoyed a playlist of songs that reminded them of their favorite memories together.
Since phones weren't permitted, priceless memories were captured with vintage Polaroid cameras. At the end of the night, guests went home with their own custom Room No. fragrance from Perfumehead, which was inspired by the Chateau Marmont's Penthouse 29—the suite where the couple swapped vows.
Looking ahead, the two are excited to enjoy a honeymoon in St. Bart's before setting into married life—though it won't be too different for the newlyweds. "We've felt married for so long that this was just the beginning. David would laugh so hard prior to us getting married because when he would refer to himself as my husband, I would always smile," Brown muses. "Being able to say he's my husband and makes me feel so proud."
Brendan Brown & Husband David Vrbecky's Love Story
Brendan Brown and David Vrbecky's romance traces back to February 21, 2021, when they met while shopping for shoes at Bloomingdales in Costa Mesa, California. "He wanted to see a pair of espadrilles but pronounced it wrong," Brown recalls. "It made me laugh so hard my mask broke." It didn't take long for the two to hit it off and spark a connection. "We got to talking and ended up having dinner at Capital Grille." Three weeks into their relationship, Vrbecky professed his love for his partner—at the Sunset Tower Hotel, of course.
The couple's engagement took place exactly 17 months later, right down to the day. While on vacation in Europe, Brown planned to pop the question eight days into their trip. But amid growing worries that his partner would find the ring early, the broker changed his plans and proposed on the terrace of their Saint-Tropez hotel room as soon as they checked in. "It was during an insane heat wave that summer," Brown recalls. "I had him go out to the patio and close his eyes while I was pacing back and forth deciding if I was going to do it early. Ultimately, I walked outside and I did."
Vrbecky's engagement ring is the Cartier 1895 rose gold wedding band, which Brown says suits his timeless and classic taste in fashion. "Since David is a corporate attorney, I wanted it to be something that reflected him and his style, and something that he wouldn't need to change up."
The following month, Vrbecky shocked his fiancé by proposing back—on his birthday, no less. "He surprised me with my dream engagement ring," Brown shares. "I was expecting to get a matching one with him, but he got me good! He surprised me with the Panthère de Cartier ring with emerald eyes."
Brendan Brown's Wedding Vendors
Wedding and After Party Venue: Chateau Marmont; Reception Venue: Sunset Tower Hotel; Photographer: Carsten Schertzer, Ilumin; Videographer: Tricia Dempsey; Officiant: Blaine Brown; Grooms' Suits: Ralph Lauren, Gregory Tux; Accessories: Tom Ford, Celine, Cartier, Gucci, Jacques Marie Mage, YSL; Engagement Rings: Cartier; Wedding Rings: XIV Karats; Hair: Alex Osorio; Invitations: Etsy; Menus: Sunset Tower Hotel; Rentals: Chateau Marmont; Wedding Cake: Hansen's Cakes; Favors: Perfumehead; Transportation: Blacklane