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Updated Mar 06, 2025Exclusive: Inside LaurDIY's "Vivacious" Southern California Wedding
The content creator—and The Knot's former cover star—married Jeremy Lewis on April 7, 2024.
Tucked away in a historic Spanish-style villa at Hummingbird Ranch in Southern California, Lauren Riihimaki married Jeremy Lewis on April 7, 2024. The content creator, best known by her cheeky moniker, LaurDIY, wed her longtime love in front of just 95 guests at the base of the Santa Susana Mountains. Riihimaki graced the cover of The Knot's Summer 2023 issue, telling us she envisioned an event "spilling with color."
Colorful, it was. Despite her crafty online persona, the YouTuber opted to forgo DIYing her wedding, instead enlisting the help of a talented team of vendors to bring her "vivacious" vision to life. We unveil LaurDIY's wedding album, including all the photos and details from her special day.
In this article:
Lauren Riihimaki and Jeremy Lewis' Wedding Photos & Details
Although Riihimaki made a name for herself as a DIY guru, she was adamant that one thing she wouldn't DIY was her wedding. "I genuinely really enjoyed planning this wedding," Riihimaki tells us. "My planner [Marni Farmer of So Smitten Events] was the absolute MVP and the backbone of this whole production."
The "Vivacious" Vibe
During her cover story interview with The Knot, which took place over a year before the wedding date, Riihimaki already knew she'd lean into vivid tones for her wedding day. "We fully committed to a colorful palette and I'm so happy we did," she says now. "We had different hues of pinks, blues, and pops of yellows and orange. It was vibrant, energetic and vivacious—overall, so rich in color."
The couple's planner, Marni Farmer, tells us they had a collaborative experience bringing their ideas to life. "Together, we brainstormed how to make that vision come to life with florals, rentals, lighting, and decor," she explains, adding that tangible moments of experimentation helped illustrate what the event would look like on the day. "Our mood board turned to reality when we did a tablescape mock-up together to see everything in person. This is such a fun part of the design process where we get to see it, touch it, tweak it, and then lock everything in."
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The Wedding Venue
Perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle was finding a venue that lent itself to the bride's effervescent vision—and it didn't take her long to find the perfect setting. "The Villa at Hummingbird Nest Ranch was the very first venue we toured," Riihimaki recalls. "We saw a few more afterward, but nothing came close to the wow factor that The Villa presented."
To them, it didn't matter that the first venue they saw was the one they'd ultimately choose. "When you know, you know," Riihimaki muses. "We totally knew."
Decorating The Villa was an easy task, thanks in part to the historic estate's natural colonial charm. Existing elements like ornate Spanish tiles, wrought iron gates, climbing bougainvilleas and a bubbling fountain create an effortless, other-worldly effect.
Riihimaki's florist, Melanie Ruth of Gingersnap Florals, flexed her knowledge of in-season flowers to enhance the space with a whimsical cocoon of color, using blooms like tulips, delphinium, ranunculus, roses, and the bride's favorite, snapdragon. "Before starting the wedding planning process I could name about five flower types total," Riihimaki laughs. "Melanie took my inspiration photos and executed to a degree higher than my wildest dreams."
Thanks to the team at Pressed Floral, Riihimaki's botanical arrangements will live on forever. The bride hired the flower preservation company to turn her blooms into art displays that will live on in her home for years to come.
In addition to the floral installations, Riihimaki says that one of their biggest splurges was on their photographer. Considering their careers as content creators, the couple enlisted celebrity photographers John & Joseph to document their nuptials, while Tan Weddings served as their videographer.
The Fashion
Much like the decor, Lauren Riihimaki's wedding dress was whimsical and oh-so-romantic. She opted for the "Gwen" gown from Netta BenShabu's 2024 pre-fall collection "LA RÊVERIE," which she sourced from Jaxon James Couture Bridal Salon. "The moment I put it on I knew it was 'the one,'" she remembers. "I tried on a total of about 30 dresses, and nothing compared."
Although the gown features thin spaghetti straps, the bride revamped her look with custom off-the-shoulder sleeves. Inspired by the circle-veil trend, Riihimaki accentuated her dress with a two-tier cathedral-length veil from Untamed Petals, complete with chantilly lace and a delicate sparkle finish.
The groom donned a custom three-piece suit from Tom Ford, which he paired with black leather Tom Ford Edgar Chelsea boots. "He's never looked so handsome," the bride smiles.
The Ceremony
Although the couple opted to forgo the tradition of having a wedding party precede them down the aisle, there was a very special appearance made by two of their furry friends. "The most sentimental element of our wedding was including our dogs," Riihimaki says of Diggy and Moose (who've amassed their own impressive social media following). "We have an unbearable amount of love for them and were so grateful to be able to include them as ring bearers."
When it was time for the bride to walk down the aisle, she was joined by both of her parents. "I'm an only child and wanted my mom to be there as well," she reflects. "We've been a tightly-knit trio for my entire life and this was the only option that felt right. My parents have been by my side for every milestone and step of the way and I wanted this moment to be no different."
There wasn't a dry eye in the villa as the couple exchanged custom-written vows. A string quartet from Downbeat Agency played instrumental ballads as the couple transitioned to cocktail hour, where guests snacked on a charcuterie spread, truffle mac and cheese, bacon-wrapped scallops, wagyu beef sliders, and artisanal pepperoni flatbreads with hot honey drizzle.
The newlyweds surprised their guests with custom cocktails inspired by their favorite sips. "Jeremy's signature cocktail was a whiskey sour with egg white, and mine was champagne with a splash of St. Germain," Riihimaki says.
The Menu
As night fell over the mountain range, the couple's vendors transitioned the decor to complement the vibrant sky. Dark florals covered the tables, which were adorned with iridescent serveware and hand-painted plates imported from Italy.
Riihimaki's affinity for family-style meals inspired the catering setup, which was provided by Pausmith Group. "Admittedly, we have the palettes of refined children," she jokes. "Top-tier food was an absolute must, and our caterer went above and beyond."
Guests began with a course of housemade artisan bread and avocado citrus salad. The entrees consisted of medallions of filet mignon (which Riihimaki quips is her husband's "one true love, aside from me"), black garlic and miso-glazed sea bass and butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and sage. Looking back, Riihimaki says, "This is why I needed it to be family style—so I could eat it all!"
The Party
The true "highlight of the night" came when the newlyweds made their way to center stage for their first dance. Unbeknownst to Riihimaki, Lewis recorded a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" (which was just crowned the most popular first dance song in The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study). "Amongst the depths of Jeremy's many hidden talents, he is one of the most talented vocalists I've ever heard," Riihimaki says. "Through months of plotting and scheming, he got himself down to Orlando, Florida, to the home to one of the top acapella groups in the country, Voctave."
After the big surprise, the couple was joined by their guests for a non-stop dance party, provided by their friend Jared Lucas, AKA Kap Slap. "His mashups hit on a note of nostalgia, but also provided high energy," Riihimaki says.
The only time the dancing stopped was when the couple sliced into their funfetti cake, courtesy of Sweet AF. Guests also enjoyed a delectable spread of balsamic strawberries, mini churros, macarons, and icebox shots, which Riihimaki explains as "liquid cheesecake with a graham cracker crumble."
Now that the wedding day has come to an end, Riihimaki says she and her husband will head back to Florida to release their first dance track with Voctave. "I couldn't imagine having anything more special and memorable for this moment," she concludes. "It's a track that will immediately transport us back to this unforgettable night."
Lauren Riihimaki's Wedding Vendors
Venue: The Villa at Hummingbird Nest Ranch; Photographer: John & Joseph; Videographer: Tan Weddings; Planner: Marni Farmer, So Smitten Events; Doggie Concierge: Angelica Tipon, So Smitten Events; Florist: Melanie Ruth, Gingersnap Florals; Flower Preservation: Pressed Floral; Officiant: Nicholas Christ; Groom's Suit: Tom Ford; Shoes: Tom Ford; Wedding Dress and Reception Dress: Netta BenShabu from Jaxon James; Bride's Jewelry: Etsy; Veil: Untamed Petals; Bride's Shoes: Amazon; Engagement Ring and Wedding Band: Whiteflash Diamonds; Groom's Wedding Band: David Yurman; Hair: Jordan Hix; Hair Extensions: Kacey Welch; Makeup: Eros Gomez; Nails: Perla Najera; Invitations: Something Lettered; Place Cards and Menus: Creative Little Gems; Rentals: Premiere Party Rentals, Soiree8, Found, Casa De Perrin; Lighting: Tempoe, Candlelight Designs; Catering: Pausmith Group; Wedding Cake & Desserts: Sweet AF; Cake Topper: Etsy; Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Downbeat Agency; Reception Music: Jared Lucas, Kapslap; Photo Booth: The Lounge Booth; Dance Lessons: JJ Rabone; Transportation: Riz Transportation; Coffee: Cappuccino Man
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