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A Twilight-Inspired July Wedding at Vivacious Grove

Some weddings feel especially personal to be a part of, and Bella and Jake’s wedding was absolutely one of those for me.

I’ve known Bella for almost ten years, and a couple of years ago I also had the privilege of helping plan her older brother’s wedding. Getting to come back and celebrate another milestone with this family, this time with Bella and Jake, made an already beautiful day mean that much more.

And from the beginning, Bella knew she wanted their wedding to feel like them. A little moody, a little romantic, full of personality, and centered around the people they love most.

Twilight Vibes… in July

True to their names, Bella wanted to incorporate some Twilight vibes and undertones into the wedding. But with a July wedding, we knew we had to find a way to capture that moody, romantic feeling without making the design feel overly themed or forced.

So instead of leaning into anything literal, we focused heavily on color and atmosphere. Deep burgundy, espresso brown, olive green and soft neutrals created a rich palette that felt romantic and slightly moody while still making sense for a summer wedding. The bridesmaids wore a mix of those deeper tones, while the reception carried the colors through the linens, napkins, florals and smaller details.

The result gave us exactly what we were after: a subtle nod to Bella’s inspiration while still feeling elegant, intentional and completely appropriate for the setting and season.

Making Every Guest Feel Like Part of the Day

One thing that was incredibly important to Bella was making the people they love feel included in their wedding.

And she meant everyone.

There were thoughtful touches throughout the day honoring loved ones who had passed but were still very much present in spirit. There were also moments built into the reception specifically for the people who have played important roles in Bella and Jake’s lives.

Of course, they had the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dances, but Bella’s dance with her dad came with an extra surprise… the song was sung by her grandfather (they called him Shaba). It was one of those details that made an already meaningful tradition entirely their own. And totally did not have the me and the videographer sobbing in the corner… yes, it absolutely did!

Bella also shared a dance with her mom, ending it with a bouquet dedication, and another with her nieces, whom she is incredibly close with.

None of these moments felt like they were included simply because they were “supposed” to happen at a wedding. They were there because the relationships behind them mattered. And that distinction is one of my favorite things about this day.

Making Every Guest Feel Like Part of the Day

The personal touches didn’t stop with the formal moments…

Bella and Jake painted special dinner plates before the wedding that we used for their place settings at the head table. A small detail, but one that was completely unique to them.

And because their family wouldn’t be complete without their beloved dog (Otis) and cat (Leia), they made sure they were represented too with signature cocktails named after each of them. Because obviously the pets deserved their own moment on the menu.

They even appointed a banquet captain at each table to help keep the energy up and the party moving throughout the night. Because if you’re going to gather all of your favorite people in one place, you might as well make sure everyone understands the assignment.

And trust me: they did.

The dance floor was packed, the glow sticks came out, the heart-shaped sunglasses made their appearance, and Bella and Jake were right in the middle of it all.

A Wedding That Felt Like Bella + Jake

There are endless ways to make a wedding beautiful. But my favorite weddings are always the ones where you can walk into the space, experience the day and immediately understand something about the couple.

The entire day felt like Bella and Jake in every sense of the word! It was romantic and a little moody. It was playful. It was deeply sentimental without feeling overly formal. It honored the people who helped get them to this chapter while still being completely focused on the life they are beginning together.

And after knowing Bella for nearly a decade, getting to celebrate another wedding with this family… watching this particular one come together was pretty damn special.