Real Weddings: A Long-Distance Romance Leads to An All-Night Celebration in Los Angeles

Photography by: Hailey Howard Cherin and Gian planned a traditional wedding with modern sensibilities for their October 2015 wedding in Los Angeles.  The couple, who met through a mutual friend at a New Year’s Eve party in 2007, stayed in touch as Cherin moved back east and Gian was in San Francisco. Over the course of the next few years, the couple would date from a distance, and would end up together in Los Angeles in 2012. For their wedding, Cherin and Gian sought out a venue that would fit all of their 300 guests and the look and feeling they wanted: A mix of traditional and modern elements.  They settled on the First Congressional Church of Los Angeles, where they could have the wedding ceremony and reception. “It was breathtaking and traditional.” Cherin wore two wedding gowns.  For the service she chose a long-sleeve, floor-length gown by Bo Matthew Metz.  The textured bodice, tulle skirt and open back reflected the tradition of the day, but also the bride’s modern style.  Her hair was worn up with thin braids and for the ceremony she wore a long tulle veil.