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Photo by Braedon Photography
It's no surprise that actor Nicholas Gonzalez—you might recognize him from The Good Doctor!—has serious game. In 2011, he and actress Kelsey Crane began texting each other before they met in person, and Nicholas let the anticipation build up. The two had planned to meet at the Hudson Block Party that May, and when Nicholas spotted Kelsey first, he sent her one last text before she spotted him. “I was wearing a white dress, and he texted me to tell me he liked it—so cheeky!” she recalls. There was an eclipse that evening, and the pair, along with their friends, gathered with glasses and cardboard boxes to take in the sight. “The stars had most literally aligned, and we’ve been inseparable ever since,” Kelsey says.
The stars had most literally aligned, and we’ve been inseparable ever since!
Fast forward to four years later—to when Nicholas again surprised Kelsey. The two were on vacation in Capri, and as they rode a boat into the Blue Grotto, their captain sang opera in the glow of the cave. Nicholas took that as his cue and got down on one knee, holding a custom engagement ring by Anna Sheffield featuring a champagne diamond. Kelsey, of course, said yes!
Shortly after getting engaged, Kelsey and Nicholas took another vacation to Tulum and immediately fell in love with the mezcal-drinking jungle town. “We pictured a beachside wedding with a jungle reception,” says the bride. “However, the Zika outbreak three months before our wedding date (and a very fertile 30-something guest list!) meant we had to change our plans—and fast!” Thankfully, the pair had the planners at Sterling Social on their side. Together, they swiftly shifted gears, selected a new venue—Fig & Olive, a restaurant in the couple's home of Los Angeles—and set about designing a stunning celebration inspired by the couple’s engagement in Capri. They succeeded—in record time, no less—in creating a relaxing environment where guests could eat, drink, and dance all night. Says Kelsey, “Whether on the beach in Tulum or in West Hollywood, our deepest wishes for our special day came true!”
Keep reading to see Nicholas Gonzalez and Kelsey Crane's romantic, Mediterranean-inspired wedding in L.A. Trust us, the photos by Braedon Photography and video by Aaron Novak Films will not disappoint!
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Kelsey first spotted Liz Martinez’s whimsical, super-feminine designs on Pinterest and booked a time at a trunk show as soon as she could. “Every dress I tried on was almost The One, they’re just so magical," she says. But her favorite (by far!) was the designer's "Amy" dress, which features an A-line silhouette and a deep-V neckline, along with intricate beading and plenty of sparkle.
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Nicolas took on the role of groom in a classic tuxedo. “Nicholas is a classic guy but loves a modern fit, and his John Varvatos tuxedo was perfect,” says Kelsey. He accessorized with studs and cufflinks in a modern rose gold hue to match the couple’s coordinating wedding bands.
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Kelsey’s romantic bouquet combined olive branches, vines, and soft white peonies.
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The same olive branches—a nod to the couple's Mediterranean inspo—was used in the crowns that topped the flower girls’ cascading braids.
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“I absolutely love Reformation, and wanted to put all of my best ladies in their gorgeous, comfortable dresses,” says Kelsey. “The color, Burnt Strawberry, reminded me of Italian terra cotta, and I loved that a variety of styles were available in the same color so they could choose a look that made them feel their best.”
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Layered rugs took the place of a traditional aisle runner and were flanked by terra cotta pots filled with rosemary plants.
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Guests had a literal taste of the Mediterranean theme—in the form of limoncello—before taking a seat (in a rustic, cross-back chair) for the ceremony.
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Live olive trees flanked the altar, where Kelsey and Nicholas stood on a kilim rug the groom found in Turkey. A wooden chandelier, adorned with lemons and soft greenery, completed the look. There, Nicholas and Kelsey read handwritten vows to one another before placing the vows in a glass box. “We re-read our vows on our first anniversary, with our six-week-old baby girl by our side," says the bride. "The box has a place of honor in our apartment, and is a daily reminder of our love for one another.”
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After a dramatic first kiss, a guitar and violin duo played “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oats to mark the presentation of the newlyweds.
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Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, Nicholas and Kelsey opted for a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail reception. Guests sipped signature cocktails—among them, a margarita dressed up with lavender bitters, sparkling wine with fresh strawberries, and an Old Fashioned with rose syrup—as they enjoyed cheese, charcuterie, and fresh paella.
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Lounge furniture and live olive trees turned the urban restaurant into a coastal Italian retreat. Marble coffee tables were surrounded by woven furniture and textured pillows and were lit with candles in amber votive holders. Terra cotta vases held arrangements of white roses and ranunculus, accented with olive branches of course.
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For an updated take on the first dance, Kelsey and Nicholas took a spin to Angus and Julia Stone’s version of “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease.
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The star-studded guest list included many of the couple's actor friends, including Johnathon Schaech, Charlie Weber (from How to Get Away With Murder) and Inbar Lavi.
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Instead of a towering confection, Nicholas and Kelsey opted for a petite cutting cake with layers of vanilla cake and vanilla buttercream.
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The evening’s toasts were a highlight of the night. “My father’s speech hit us both right in the heart, and the love, advice, and kind words from our dearest will be with us for a lifetime,” Kelsey says.
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“Our planners suggested we take a few moments to step away from the party, and we’re so glad we did,” says Kelsey. “We watched from an upstairs balcony as our guests danced, mingled, and laughed. It was amazing to have a birds-eye view of all of the people we love!”
Wedding Team
Ceremony Site, Reception Site, & Catering: Fig & Olive
Planning & Design: Sterling Social
Bride's Dress: Liz Martinez
Veil: Erin Cole
Bride's Hair: Brittany Stevens
Bride's Makeup: Mallory Jo Schweiger
Bridesmaid's Hair & Makeup: Contour Fossa
Bridesmaids Dresses: Reformation
Mother of the Bride Dress: Carolina Herrera
Groom's Attire: John Vartos
Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux
Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands: Anna Sheffield
Florist: R. Jack Balthazar
Invitations & Paper Products: Amber Moon Design
Ceremony Music: Subito Strings
Reception Music: Haute Mobile Disco
Wedding Cake: Magnolia Bakery
Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals
Accommodations: Sunset Marquis
Photographer: Braeden Photography
Videography: Aaron Novak Films