As the owner of Anything But Gray Events, I have had the pleasure of planning and designing countless beautiful celebrations over our 12 years in business. Ben and Rob’s Theatrical Extravaganza Wedding at The Ebell of Los Angeles was truly a unique and colorful experience in the heart of the city. From the stunning Jewish ceremony to the elegant and elevated dinner reception, this wedding, much like the outstanding couple is represented, was a perfect blend of tradition, vibrancy, and pure theatrical magic.

 

Their colorful wedding was featured in the Los Angeles Times and The Knot Magazine.

Photos by: Aurelia D’Amore Photography 

 

The Grooms:

Ben, a tech professional with cool glasses, and Rob, a writer for film and television with amazing silver hair, are a dynamic and stylish couple. Their love for each other was evident in every glance and touch, and their unique personalities shone through every aspect of their wedding. They showed off their fabulousness during their engagement shoot in downtown Los Angeles with Peterson Design and Photography.

These two could not be more kind, stylish, and fashionable if they tried!?

 

Fashion & Accessories:

Ben and Rob made a fashion statement with bold and non-traditional custom tuxedos. Throughout the evening, they each had a costume change, adding an element of surprise and excitement to the festivities. Their fashion choices perfectly reflected their individuality, while complementing each other’s style, and added an extra layer of theatricality to the celebration. Both the couple’s ceremony tuxedos and reception tuxedos were custom-made by Klein Epstein and Parker in Beverly Hills.

The grooms both have the full, glam treatment to look their best throughout the day and night! “Too much? Not enough!”, a phrase they live by, became an underlining catchphrase of the wedding.

Rob (in purple) wore a full-length cape with sequin shoulder fascinators inspired by one of his favorite Sailor Moon comic book characters, Tuxedo Man. Ben (in pink) wore an oversized silk floral lapel installation in cascading shades of pink. Both pieces were custom-made by Julie Harris Designs and added to the theatrical experience. Nicknamed the “Met Gala of weddings”, fashion played a huge role in their overall wedding design and vibe.

 

Creative Details:

Designed by Gilded Swan Paperie, with gold leaf calligraphy by SophScriptCo., the groom’s vintage-inspired invitation suite, day-of stationery, and vow books set the tone for the rest of this Theatrical Extravaganza Wedding at The Ebell of Los Angeles.

 

 

The pattern of fruit, vines, and a floral archway were seen throughout many other aspects of the night, including the photo booth, cake, and all stationery items, to keep the continuity of this theatrical experience.

 

The Ebell of Los Angeles:

 

Located on Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles, The Ebell is home to a historic campus that includes: two ballrooms, an art salon, a courtyard garden, and a 1200-seat Broadway-style theatre. This historic gem is one of Los Angeles’s greatest treasures. For more fun facts about the Ebell, check out this blog post about the history of this unique LA institution.

Jewish Ceremony:

Before the ceremony, the couple celebrated their Jewish culture with a ketubah signing and blessings from their immediate family. The Ketubah is a formal marriage agreement in the Jewish faith signed by two witnesses and the couple before the religious ceremony. A small selection of family and friends are invited to witness the ketubah, which is considered an honor.

The ceremony took place indoors at The Ebell of Los Angeles under a breathtaking, floral-encrusted chuppah, created by Flowers by Lady Buggs. Ben’s father, a Rabbi, officiated the wedding ceremony, adding a deeply personal touch to the proceedings.

There was not a dry eye in the room and the grooms walked down the aisle. The atmosphere was filled with love and reverence as the couple exchanged their vows, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

A very special serenade by West Hollywood Drag Queen sensation, Jonnie Reinhart took the theatrical experience to the next level!

One of the most important parts of Ben and Rob’s ceremony was honoring Sally, Ben’s mother, who passed away just 10 days before their wedding. As opposed to a somber tribute, the couple wanted to highlight Sally’s zest for life and joyous personality.

Placing the sparkly sneaker she planned on wearing to the wedding in the front row along with her favorite flowers was important to the couple. She was there in spirit through items that meant a lot to her. A memorial table was also set up at cocktail hour with Sally’s signature eyeglasses (she was known for her colorful eyeglasses), her portrait wearing the dress she had chosen for the wedding, and a cold and strong dirty martini, her favorite cocktail! While it was truly heartbreaking to not have her there to celebrate the grooms, her spirit and love were felt throughout the night.

 

Cocktail Hour:

Specialty cocktails named after their beloved dogs, Stella and Luna, were served along with more celebratory live music from The Jonnie Reinhart band. Of course, there was no shortage of fabulous fashion worn by attendees!

 

Elegant and Colorful Reception:

The reception was a true feast for the senses, blending traditional design with vibrant colors. The Ebell of Los Angeles provided the perfect backdrop for this theatrical celebration. The tables, both long and rounds, were adorned with tall and impactful floral arrangements in shades of pink, purple, and red, creating a stunning visual display.

Uplighting and wash lights added to the romantic feeling of the room’s soft, pink glow.

 

Let them eat Cake:

 

A three-tired wedding cake by Nicole Bake Cakes was a centerpiece of this theatrical experience wedding. Displayed in a bed of flowers, the wedding cake featured the couple’s monogram (FF) in the center and printed sugar paper showcasing the custom pattern featured throughout their paper goods.

 

Dancing the Night Away:

The guests danced the night away, starting with the traditional hora, played by a live band, LA All-Stars. The energy on the dance floor was infectious, and the joy and love in the room were palpable.

The celebration was a true testament to the couple’s vibrant spirits and their ability to bring people together in celebration. Rob’s face during the hora, was priceless!

AND YES, a costume change for the reception was a must. More is more and less is boring!

 

A Floral-Infused Photo Booth:

The custom photo booth, created by Paper Moon Shoppe, engulfed the stage of The Ebell of Los Angeles with a stunning floral backdrop and an array of props. All the details were handpainted and 3 demensional , giving guests the ability to capture memories in this whimsical and theatrical setting, adding an extra touch of fun to the evening.

To see this theatrical extravaganza in action, please enjoy Ben and Rob’s wedding film by Leira Productions.

 

Ben and Rob’s wedding at The Ebell of Los Angeles was a true celebration of love, tradition, and theatricality. From the stunning indoor ceremony to the vibrant and elegant reception, every detail was carefully curated to create an unforgettable experience. As a wedding planner and designer, I am honored to have been a part of this magical celebration, bringing their vision to life and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Vendor List: