The Redwood Wedding: All Men Must Dine
For their special day, Offbeat Empire editor Megan and TV writer/producer Mike, a dynamic duo in their own right, chose an unconventional yet charming setting. The ceremony took place at Redwood House, the family home of Mike’s mother in Anderson Valley, Northern California, on June 24, 2017. Adding a whimsical touch to their celebration was the use of Mike’s childhood toy AT-AT as a card holder, plucked from his mom’s attic.
The offbeat pair’s unique style and playfulness shone through in every aspect of their wedding.
Our redwood wedding at a glance:
At a Game of Thrones viewing party and podcast, Mike and I formed an unbreakable bond over our shared passion for food. When planning our wedding at Redwood House, we combined our interests to create an unforgettable experience. Our theme, ‘The Redwood Wedding: All Men Must Dine,’ brought together the essence of Game of Thrones and culinary delights. The event was truly phenomenal!
As seen in this photo, I wore not one but two outfits – a unicorn-inspired dress and Cersei’s regal attire.
My husband had to physically remove the broken zipper from my dress due to my enthusiastic dancing.
We started with custom-made Game of Thrones save-the-date cards, followed by an honest trailer-style wedding invitation video. It was the perfect way for us, a writer/producer and pop culture enthusiast, to announce our special day.
To make my dream wedding dress a reality, I visited RMINE in Studio City and described it as a ‘unicorn’s sneeze.’ The result was pure magic.
As luck would have it, one of my bridesmaids, Kimmy (also the stylist for this musician’s wedding), dressed our entire wedding party with impeccable taste.
Our wedding parties consisted of mixed gender and married couples. I got a little carried away, having both a Best Man and Hand of the Queen – complete with a pin!
Mike also brought his A-game with Thrones-inspired fashion details.
As a surprise, we gifted Mike’s wedding party Game of Thrones-themed wine boxes.
Yes, that decanter reads, ‘I’m gonna marry the heck out of you.’ We wove numerous Game of Thrones references throughout our celebration – can you spot them all?
Tell us about the ceremony:
As we planned our special day, my partner and I placed immense significance on the ceremony itself. We aimed to craft a meaningful and memorable experience that would involve our closest friends and family members, striking a delicate balance between solemnity and humor. To set the tone for the rest of the celebration, we envisioned a program that would seamlessly blend the familiarity of TV credits with the elegance of a formal wedding.
The redwood wedding processional
As I walked down the aisle, I had a few special surprises planned to make the moment even more meaningful. My ex-husband, who was involved in the planning process, mixed together some unique music cues for our ceremony, including a medley of tracks from Game of Thrones and a secret song that would be revealed later. The pièce de résistance was an acoustic rendition of ‘our song’, which I had kept hidden from my fiancé Mike until he heard it during the ceremony.
Seeing his eyes light up and well up with tears at that moment is one of my favorite memories from our special day. It was also a joy to have my dad by my side as I walked down the aisle, while my mom was given an unexpected escort by Mike himself – she confessed to feeling his rapid heartbeat as he took her arm, which brought them closer together.
Meanwhile, our furry friend Pita made a stylish appearance, accompanied by my ‘Hand of the Queen’, and even our rings were held aloft in a special container shaped like a unicorn skull.
Tell us about your redwood wedding reception:
The very first consideration: The food!
As huge fans of food festivals, Mike and I wanted our wedding reception to have that same lively atmosphere – plenty of delicious bites for everyone! My top priority was having chicken and waffles on the menu. To make it happen, we searched high and low for the perfect truck that could cater to a crowd of 150+ and found The Waffle Roost, who did not disappoint. We served up three mouth-watering chicken and waffle options, along with mac and cheese and collard greens for good measure.
To keep our guests satisfied, we also brought in Me So Hungry Too, a fantastic slider truck that offered three different sliders and sweet potato fries. Our caterer added the perfect touch with Game of Thrones-inspired appetizers that fit our unique theme. For the main event, we had lamb or eggplant dolmas, roasted gypsy peppers, fried pita wedges with hummus, pickled red onion, and tarragon, as well as local chevre laychee and smoked salmon stuffed gougeres.
To tie everything together, we had signature cocktails that reflected our personalities – mine was the ‘Arya Snark’ with a champagne gummy bear and sword that fizzed in a kir royal. For dessert, Smitten wowed us with their liquid nitrogen ice cream, which doubled as entertainment. And let’s not forget our S’mores station, cleverly named ‘House S’moremont’, which was an absolute hit.
The redwood wedding decor
I’m thrilled to share that I got to geek out over the details at our wedding. As someone who loves all things wedding-related, I was excited to bring my own unique flair to the decor. One of my favorite elements was the reception table setup, which featured ‘name cards’ in the form of wine bottle stoppers. Each side had a guest’s name and their designated ‘house banner’, cleverly modeled after a real house from Game of Thrones. The twist? Their ‘house words’ were reimagined to be all about food!
For instance, the ‘House Stark’ table featured the motto ‘A Feast is Coming’. It was a fun way to tie in our love of food and pop culture with the wedding theme. Additionally, every table had its own unique edible centerpiece, complete with themed trinkets that told stories about us as a couple. Mike’s juggling balls and cassette tapes of his film projects made appearances, adding a personal touch to the decor. And did I mention that our guests actually ate their place cards?
Yep, it was a real thing! If you want to learn more about how we managed to make edible centerpieces that were both delicious and Instagram-worthy, check out our related post over here.
Foodie wedding centerpieces so good you could eat them (and we did!)
From a bride who couldn’t care less about florists, to being absolutely blown away by California Sister’s edible centerpiece arrangements. We loved them so much that we not only used them as our wedding table decor, but also devoured them as dinner the following night. The experience was truly unforgettable. The edible centerpieces were a game-changer for our special day. They added a unique and delicious twist to our celebration.
And let me tell you, it’s not every day that your guests get to enjoy not one, but two meals from the same table setting! It was an experience we’ll always treasure. But enough about the centerpieces. House Hollywood was all about celebrating the glamour of The Industry and the excitement of The Dodgers. Our wedding theme was a love letter to both, and it showed in every detail. The House Hollywood table setup was truly something special.
And I have to say, one of my favorite moments from the entire day was when our guests gathered around that very same table to enjoy the edible centerpieces. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen before. The look on everyone’s face when they saw the ‘iron throne’ decal was priceless. Who wouldn’t love a good Game of Thrones reference, right?
The redwood wedding entertainment
Lawn games
Our family’s love for a particular game has taken on a new dimension, as we’ve transformed our Giant Jenga set into an integral part of our daily lives. What started out as a unique wedding logo has evolved into a symbol that represents us as a whole. The excitement and energy it brings to our gatherings are undeniable.
Exploring the property
Photo booth
The photo booth, cleverly titled ‘All Men Must Dine’, transported guests to the world of Game of Thrones with a unique blend of show-inspired props and edible delights. The result was a truly immersive experience, as seen in the lively snaps featuring Empire girls Trista from Altar Image and her companions.
Dancing
As we celebrated, I found myself lost in the moment and letting loose on the dance floor. It was Ariel by my side most of the time, as we laughed and spun to the music, the evening’s joy infectious.
What was your most important lesson learned?
As the founder of Offbeat Bride, I’d spent nearly a decade honing my expertise in wedding planning. And when it came time to plan my own special day, I drew upon that wealth of knowledge to ensure every detail was nothing short of perfection.
My trusted right-hand woman throughout the entire process was Holly, an exceptional wedding planner who truly earned her title as ‘the best’.
Hire a great wedding planner and photographer and chill the fuck out
As I reflect on my early days as an event planner, I’m reminded of the dynamic duo that got me started. My first hire was none other than Wild About You Photography, whose creative eye and technical expertise helped capture the essence of every celebration. Not long after, Events by Holly Gray joined forces with us, bringing her infectious energy and unparalleled organizational skills to the table. Together, we formed an unstoppable team that consistently delivered unforgettable weddings.
But even the most flawless events can’t escape the occasional mishap – like the time a beautiful bride opted for a stunning yet impractically long dress that had everyone (including me) gasping in surprise.
Trust the professionals, but also trust your gut
When I say my wedding was near-perfect, I’m not stretching the truth too much. The only minor hiccups that occurred were two instances where I let my enthusiasm get the better of me and went against my initial reservations. For instance, my dress ended up being a tad longer than I had envisioned, but the stylist and designers convinced me it looked stunning that way – and they weren’t wrong! It did look great, but I almost became a human pinata on the dance floor due to its length. My advice?
Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re not feeling comfortable, even when others are telling you otherwise. I knew my vendors were top-notch when the dessert team casually mentioned they had one can of liquid nitrogen and asked if I wanted to do something cool with it. Meanwhile, my photographers were so impressed by the overall experience that they put their plans on hold to capture a final shot that involved smoke – a true testament to the magic of the day.
Vendors — aka. “how to throw the perfect redwood wedding in Northern California”
As I reflect on our special day, I’m reminded of the incredible team that made it all come together. From the wedding planner, Events by Holly Gray, to the photographer, Wild About You Photography, and the photo booth, Altar Image Photography – each professional played a vital role in creating unforgettable moments. Our venue, Redwood House in the Anderson Valley, provided a stunning backdrop for our celebration.
I’m particularly grateful to my incredible wardrobe stylist, Kimmy Erin, who not only helped me get dressed but also ensured that I looked and felt amazing throughout the day. And let’s not forget Ken’s stylish shirt – it was the perfect touch! Meanwhile, my hair color was courtesy of Sirens Salon, while Raina Antle took care of my hair styling and makeup.
The culinary delights were plentiful, with Bruxo Food Truck serving up delectable catering options, including mouthwatering chicken and waffles from The Waffle Roost and savory sliders from Me So Hungry Too. And for a sweet treat, we indulged in liquid nitrogen ice cream from Smitten.
Of course, no wedding would be complete without the thoughtful touches – fork and spoon sets by Grace Began to Grow, beautiful flowers courtesy of California Sister Floral Design, and stunning rings from Mociun (matching wedding bands), Yayoi Forest (bride’s special wedding band), and Joseph Jewelry (engagement ring). The inside of our rings hold a special message: ‘You’re my favorite.’We also had an amazing team of vendors who helped make the day truly unforgettable.
From Minted’s stunning wedding programs and stationery to DJ Crimson’s beats, Share the Road Videography’s capturing of our memories, and Fancy Flush’s luxurious restrooms – every detail was thoughtfully considered. And as I look back on that incredible day, all I can say is cheers to kick-ass weddings – and to the incredible people who made it happen!
