A Grand Staircase and a Love That Moved Mountains: Chanel & Yannick’s Wedding at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort
- Author: Natali Grace Levine
- Wedding date: 07/20/2024
- City: Los Angeles
Love Story
Here's the thing about weddings – they're not just about the couple getting married. Sometimes they're where the next love story begins. That's exactly what happened when Chanel found herself at a college friend's wedding in Austin, Texas. "My dear friend from college married Yannick’s good friend from college and we met at the their wedding," she tells us, and honestly, we're already getting goosebumps.
But here's where it gets really good. "After the wedding, we both insisted on seeing each other again," Chanel recalls. Cue the long-distance romance that would make Nicholas Sparks weep – Washington, DC to Phoenix, Arizona for an entire year. Miles mean nothing when you've found your person, and these two proved it daily.
The real plot twist? Yannick packed up his life and moved to Phoenix. Six months later, he was down on one knee. Talk about knowing what you want! The proposal scene reads like luxury travel goals: "After an amazing two weeks in Paris and the South of France, Yannick proposed in Eze, France within the beautiful cliff side gardens of La Chèvre d’Or followed by a 3 star Michelin lunch with stunning views of the ocean and dinner in Monaco at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo." We mean, come on. The French Riviera? Cliff-side gardens? Three Michelin stars? This man did not come to play.
Fast forward through 2.5 years of pure bliss – Chanel conquering the legal world while indulging her passions for fashion and travel, Yannick developing solar energy projects – and boom, wedding bells were calling.
About Your Wedding
One year of planning. Two hundred guests. One vision that had us clutching our pearls from the get-go. When we asked Chanel about her dream wedding, her answer was simple yet spine-tingling: "Walking down a grand staircase to live Andrea Bocelli music."
The style? "Fairytale sophisticated romance with moving music and plenty of candlelight." We're already weak in the knees, and we haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet.
Morning Details
Ring shopping can either be a breeze or a complete nightmare. For this duo, it was both. "Yannick’s ring was easy. We went ring shopping in his hometown of Charlottesville, VA over Thanksgiving and he immediately saw the ring he wanted," Chanel laughs. Classic guy move – walks into the store, sees The One, done deal. "We spent a couple more months shopping around mainly for fun but he ultimately ended up with the very first ring he tried on."
Chanel's ring journey? That's a whole different story. "I wanted an eternity band with pear-shaped diamonds to complement my engagement ring, but it was difficult to find one in person to confirm that is what I actually wanted. We shopped many jewelers in many cities without success." The search became legendary – until they circled back to Charlottesville. "I finally saw the ring I had been searching for and had a chance to try it on with my engagement ring. It was everything I had imagined." Sometimes the universe has a sense of humor about timing.
The stationery game was strong too – Kara Anne Papers created everything from save the dates to cocktail napkins, because when you're doing fairytale romance, you don't skip the details.
Bride Getting Ready
Hold onto your hats, because Chanel's dress story is wilder than a reality TV show. "The Quest for the Dress took me from Miami to New York to DC to LA," she confesses. She bought a dress in New York, but something kept nagging at her. "I kept coming back to pictures of one of the original dresses I tried on in Miami."
Here's the kicker – the dress wasn't even in production yet. It was being tested for Vera Wang's spring 2025 collection. But when you want something badly enough, you make it happen. "When I went to Vera Wang in LA, I asked if they could have the dress shipped I tried on in Miami shipped to LA for my appointment and it ended up being the one!" From Miami to Beverly Hills, this Vera Wang Haute Couture gown wasn’t just a dress—it was destiny stitched in silk.
The accessories were next-level: cathedral-length veil, matching floral appliqué hair piece, and Rene Caovilla shoes with crystal butterflies. Because if you're going to do fairytale, you might as well go all the way.
But wait, there's more. The jewelry collection reads like a family heirloom inventory: "A meaningful pear-shaped diamond drop necklace with additional diamonds that belonged to each of my grandmothers, designed by my dad. A sparkling diamond bangle from my parents. Diamond earrings in the shape of the flower appliqués that adorned my wedding dress from my mom. Van Cleef bracelet with mother of pearl monarch butterfly from my sister in law and brother. Van Cleef Alhambra bracelet in mother of pearl from my parents that I received for my engagement. Blue sapphire necklace from my mother-in-law."
Every piece told a story, every sparkle held meaning. Her getting-ready crew? Mom, maid of honor, sister-in-law, cousins, aunt, and flower girls, with dad and brother joining for the grand jewelry reveal. The Waldorf Astoria suite was buzzing with excitement, and her rose bouquet by Bloombox Designs was waiting for its moment to shine.
Groom Getting Ready
Meanwhile, Yannick was suiting up in his Enzo Custom tuxedo in his own Waldorf suite, surrounded by his parents, brother, and friends. The calm before the storm, if you will – because once he saw his bride, all bets were off.
Ceremony
The Pacific Lawn at the Waldorf Astoria became their altar, and what happened next still gives us chills. "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli filled the air as Chanel began her descent down that grand staircase. Her dream was coming true in real time.
But even fairy tales have their hiccups. "My veil getting stuck on the nonslip strip on each step as I came down the staircase was pretty scary! I won't forget that!" Chanel admits. Yet somehow, that little imperfection made it even more perfect. "The music, flowers, and the whole setting were phenomenal. I felt like I was floating in a dream."
The family love was strong too – first cousins' daughters as flower girls, their sons as ring bearers. "The music. It was surreal," she reflects.
Before the ceremony, Lebanese traditions filled the air with even more magic. "All of the bride’s extended family members joined her in her suite before the wedding to dance, sing, and offer traditional Lebanese well wishes for her future married life.” Culture, family, love – it doesn't get better than this.
Photoshoot After The Ceremony
Fresh off their "I dos," they chose the grand staircase and Pacific Lawn for portraits "because it was so beautifully decorated," plus the resort's botanical gardens. Sometimes the best backdrops are the ones that already witnessed your magic.
Wedding Venue & Decor
The venue choice was pure destiny. "I vacationed at this property with my family growing up, and it's the only place I’ve ever been where my initial reaction was, 'I want to get married here.'" Chanel reveals. When you know, you know.
The color story was sophisticated perfection – champagne and "gilver" with florals in cream, quicksand, soft pinks, and lavenders. Every detail whispered romance.
Reception
"You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis set the tone for their first dance, and from there, the night became a cultural celebration. A Lebanese Zafa group drummed and danced them into the reception, and "traditional Lebanese songs and dances were performed by the band throughout the night, including a special one from the father of the bride to the bride."
The food and drink game was personal and playful – a spritz bar named after their fur baby Coco, Lebanese-rooted wine with dinner, and baklava made by the bride's great aunt. Grace and Honey Cakes delivered the sweet finale.
About their dream team of vendors, Chanel gushes: "They really were the best in the business. They made every step of the planning process and the wedding perfect and unforgettable."
Sometimes the stars align, the dress fits perfectly, the music swells at just the right moment, and love wins. This was one of those times. Chanel and Yannick didn't just get married – they created a masterpiece that reminded everyone why we believe in happily ever after.
Wedding Team
- Photographer Jana Williams
- Venue Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
- Videography Moon and Back Co
- Planner Details Details
- Design @bloomboxdesigns
- Stationery @karaanne_paper
- Music @elis.band
- MUAH @ma.artistry
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