Vintage Engagement Shoot at The Ebell of Los Angeles

Carly & Matt

Carly and Matt wanted a vintage-inspired engagement shoot that reflected their style and creative personalities. A costume change or two (or three) never hurts either! Please enjoy this colorful and creative engagement shoot at The Ebell of Los Angeles planned and design by Anything But Gray Events with photos by Miki and Sonja Photography.

The Venue

Tucked away right off of Wilshire Boulevard in The Miracle Mile district is The Ebell of Los Angeles. With three levels and 75,000 square feet, this Renaissance-inspired structure is a noted architectural treasure and a registered National Historic Landmark.

This philanthropic, educational, and social club was built by women for women and has been in this Hancock Park location since 1928. In fact, The Ebell of Los Angeles is the longest-running women’s club in Los Angeles. The Club, founded in 1894 and now in its 125 years, The Ebell Los Angeles has been empowering women since day one.

With The Ebell of Los Angeles being their wedding venue for their July 2021 (postponed from 2020) nuptials, it was the perfect backdrop for their engagement shoot.

There are many rooms in The Ebell of Los Angeles that are not seen by guests on a daily basis. The third-floor theater, music room, and Fine Arts costume closet, which holds a vast collection of vintage costumes, hold some of the hidden histories of The Ebell of Los Angeles. The adjoining upstairs hallway floods with natural light and views of the city all around. A perfect room for mid-day twirls!

The Fashion

Something I love about this couple, besides what kind humans they are, is their attention to detail and love of fashion and history. Both Carly and Matt have impeccable style and a flair for the unique. While other people their age are wearing jeans and t-shirts, these two love to dress up and go out for a night out on the town. They appreciate the finer and more refined things in life.

“The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.” – Grace Kelly

Carly, wearing this vintage 1960’s pale yellow chiffon evening gown (passed down to her from a family member), and Matt in a fitted, dove grey suit with matching tie and pocket square are the epitome of elegance in the upstairs theater.

This could be one of my favorite photo sequences of all time! Marriage is a wacky adventure, embrace all the twists and turns. Add popcorn and you are in for quite an experience.

For a second, imagine yourself being able to step back in time to the most glamourous and star-studded era in Los Angeles history. While I am a huge fan of color, seeing these images in black and white really sets the mood and blurs the lines of if these photos were taken in 1951 or 2021.

Face It Sugar made both the bride and groom look fabulous with a vintage-inspired red lip and eye wing for Carly and male grooming for Matt. More and more I see grooms interested in male grooming services and I think it’s wonderful. Everyone can use some concealer, powder, and skin smoothing, especially when in from of the camera! Plus, being pampered makes you feel your best and therefore shows your best in photos.

Fans of all forms of art, crafts, and music, Carly and Matt find joy in creating together!

With a year of waiting for the wedding of their dreams, this couple is certainly ready to celebrate on the dance floor with their closest family and friends come July 2021!

Making Lemons into Lemonade

After a year of planning a wedding that they then had to be postponement because of a global pandemic, these two understand how important it is to find humor and light within the most challenging of times. And isn’t that a great reminder for marriage in general? Town and Country Event Rentals helped us out with this adorable setup.

Along with dozens of lemons from Carly’s parents’ home garden, we turned the lawn at The Ebell of Los Angeles into our very own lemon stand and put the squeeze on a year full of so many ups and downs to find the sweet center!

Carly and Matt have been a delight to work with. After a year of uncertainty and heartache, I can’t wait to see them down the aisle this Summer and finally, give them the happily ever after they deserve. It’s finally their time to celebrate!