Tue & Andrew’s Destination Wedding at Franciscan Gardens

Planning a wedding from across the country comes with its own set of challenges. Tue and Andrew were living in Boston while preparing for their Southern California celebration, and while they handled the big planning pieces themselves, they knew it would be important to have a local team they could rely on once the day got closer.

That’s where our 3-month wedding management package came in. We were able to step in during those final months, confirm all the moving pieces, and coordinate with their vendor team so that once they landed in California, everything was set and ready to go. Having a coordinator who knows the area and is already on the ground makes all the difference, it meant Tue and Andrew could truly relax and enjoy their wedding week without worrying about last-minute logistics.

Getting Ready & First Look

Tue got ready at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano with hair and makeup by Pink Unicorn Beauty, before heading over to Franciscan Gardens where the ceremony and celebration would later take place. Once she was in her dress, Andrew stopped by the bridal suite for a casual first look, an intimate and sweet way to kick off the day together. The couple then walked to Mission San Juan Capistrano for romantic portraits and wedding party photos with Tiffany Le Visuals, a picture-perfect setting before guests began to arrive.

Family Traditions: The Tea Ceremony

One of the most special moments was the intimate Chinese tea ceremony with their closest family. Our team helped pour tea as Tue and Andrew honored their parents and elders.

Ceremony & Kid-Friendly Details

The ceremony took place in the courtyard at Franciscan Gardens, followed by a cocktail hour indoors. LC Floral Designers provided the floral arrangements in a clean palette that complemented the garden setting without overpowering it. Think an abundance of greenery with shades of bright and soft pinks!

During cocktail hour, Tue and Andrew made sure their younger guests felt included by creating goodie bags and a scavenger hunt. Each child even got to take home a Squishmallow, which was such a thoughtful touch to keep them entertained.

Reception Highlights

The reception was filled with personal and high-energy moments. The newlyweds made their grand entrance before enjoying dinner, heartfelt speeches, and table visits with each guest. Note: Table visits are a wonderful way to mingle and capture memories with everyone present. Our team walks around with you, coordinating your flow around the room, preparing guests for when it's their turn, and helping to collect and keep any cards safe as you gather them.

949 Studio kept the energy high as DJ and MC, while guests also enjoyed taking photos at the Magical Events by Yami photo booth.

To keep the vibes high, the couple also incorporated a musical chairs game, which got everyone laughing and on their feet. Guests were later treated to a surprise performance by CCBA San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers, a cultural highlight that wowed the room.

Other fun touches included an unannounced cake cutting with a beautiful (and delicious!) 3-tier cake by Simply Sweet Cakery, and a late-night dim sum snack from Furiwa Catering, which was a huge hit after plenty of dancing.

From start to finish, Tue and Andrew’s wedding was a day filled with love, culture, and fun surprises. Helping couples plan from afar is one of the reasons we love what we do. Whether you live across the country or just down the street, our team is here to make sure your day feels seamless, stress-free, and unforgettable.

At Love and Life Events, we know the Southern California wedding landscape inside and out, and we’re here to make the process seamless no matter where you’re based.

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding in SoCal, we’d love to be your team to bring it all together. Let's Meet!

With Love,

Makayla

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Venue: @franciscangardens

Catering: @24carrotscatering

DJ: @949studio

Florist: @lc.floral.designer

Photography: @tiffanylevisuals

Photo Booth: @magicaleventsbyyami

Cake: @simplysweetcakery

Lion Dancers: @luckyliondancers

Late Night Snack: @furiwa

Beauty: @pinkunicorn_beauty