Caltech Athenaeum Pasadena CA Wedding

Olive tree-lined walkways, Mediterranean architecture, and cascading greenery made for one swoon-worthy wedding at the historic Caltech Athenaeum in Pasadena. Caley and Ben’s vision of a timeless, outdoor affair was beautifully planned by Honeyfitz Events, and Little Hill Designs made sure an abundance of flowers delighted guests at every turn. Not only was the Caltech Athenaeum transformed into a lush garden paradise, but Caley and Ben’s wedding was also full of charm and personal touches. Caley even surprised Ben with a wedding hula during the reception that didn’t leave a dry eye in the house!

The Wedding Vision

“We wanted our wedding to feel intimate, timeless, and romantic. Something we would look back on in 50 years and feel like we wouldn’t change a thing. I had a clear vision of a formal outdoor California affair mixed with ‘Father of the Bride’. My own personal style is very minimalist and heavy on neutrals, so no one was surprised when I was drawn to white florals with pops of soft blush and greenery. Our florist created the dreamiest floral landscape within the Athenaeum with greenery on the columns and strung amongst twinkle lights. Other details like the white seamless dance floor, abundance of candles, and the subtle pops of gold on the white table linens truly brought the whole space to life.”

The Proposal

“The proposal was perfect and very ‘us’. We had planned an outing to the Huntington Gardens in San Marino — a favorite LA spot that we frequented often. We were sitting on a bench near the Shakespeare Garden, tucked away amongst some trees. As we got up to leave, I turned around and Ben was down on one knee! Little did I know, he had a photographer nearby capturing photos (thank goodness, because the whole thing was a blur!). We spent an hour together in the gardens enjoying our new engagement and absorbing what had just happened, then went back to South Pasadena for a celebration with both our families.”

Most Memorable Moments

“Overall, our wedding day was really all about family. The most meaningful part of the day for us was the ceremony. I had dreamt of walking down the aisle to Ben for almost nine years, and that moment did not disappoint! Another favorite moment was the first look with my dad (we both cried!), our reception entrance and getting to really see everyone’s faces for the first time, and the amazing speeches from our family and friends. I also did a surprise wedding hula for Ben, which I had planned in secret for months… 100% worth it!”