Love in Bloom: Natalie Edelstein Jarvis and Will Jarvis

They became college sweethearts and after graduation endured a long-distance relationship before living together in Washington, D.C. Seven years later, Will chose Natalie’s hometown of Rancho Palos Verdes to pop the question.

When the couple arrived at Terranea Resort to meet friends for brunch, a beautiful setup of Champagne, flowers and candles awaited their table with an ocean view. After the proposal, they returned to Natalie’s parents’ house, where the celebration continued with a surprise engagement party with family and friends.

Natalie and Will enjoy hosting and entertaining, so they had their sights set on a big party. With a guest list of 220—many who live outside the United States—they wanted to ensure all their attendees could enjoy the day from start to finish.

“As a Palos Verdes native, I knew I wanted to have a true South Bay wedding,” shares Natalie. “It was very important to me to be married outside, and I wanted to capture PV’s natural beauty in our ceremony. The South Coast Botanic Garden is such a perfect venue and really allowed us to lean in to the natural wonders our region offers.”

Their garden party theme fit perfectly with the spring florals in bloom at the garden and offered a beautiful setting for both the rehearsal and reception.

The ceremony was officiated by Natalie’s brother, Jacob, and seamlessly blended Natalie’s Jewish upbringing with elements of Will’s Catholic childhood. The bride and groom delivered vows they wrote for each other; the sister of the bride and the brother of the groom offered readings that spoke to Will’s and Natalie’s personalities and upbringing.

The reception turned into a dance party that lasted from the moment the floor opened until the very last song. “Security quite literally had to ask people to stop dancing and make their way to the doors!” they remember.

“It was so fun to bring all of our guests in to do the hora,” adds Natalie. “So many of my Jewish friends and family joined hands with guests who had never attended a Jewish wedding, and the photos that resulted from the dance were some of our favorite memories.”

A truly South Bay occasion, the couple also invited guests to a welcome party at Gabi James in Redondo Beach and an after-party at American Junkie in Hermosa Beach. Among many other special details, each guest received a handwritten note at their seat with words from the couple.

“During the reception, Will and I snuck away to take everything in,” says Natalie. “We got to watch as friends and family from around the world danced, drank and laughed together. Watching our favorite people on earth come together to celebrate with us is a feeling and moment we will never forget.”