In the grandeur of Kohl Mansion, beneath sweeping arches and a sea of white orchids, Cara’s love story unfolded like a timeless symphony.
July 5 , 2025
On a summer day in July, the stately beauty of Kohl Mansion in Burlingame became the stage for Cara’s most cherished chapter yet. The air was fragrant with white orchids, sunlight spilling through arched windows, and love settling over every guest like a soft, unspoken vow.
Her gown—an exquisite creation by Oscar de la Renta—was love at first sight. “It was the first one I saw on a mannequin, and I just knew,” Cara recalled. “When I put it on, I teared up—it was exactly my aesthetic.” Purchased at the ODLR boutique in Costa Mesa, it became the perfect counterpart to the refined, orchid-filled vision she had imagined for her wedding day.
Of all the beautiful moments, it was their vows that Cara treasures most. In those spoken promises, the grandeur of the day gave way to something even more profound—two hearts speaking in perfect harmony.
The celebration unfolded in a way that felt both deeply personal and joyfully elevated. Their first dance was to Coldplay’s“Yellow,” a song chosen with care. The evening came alive with the music of Eight to the Bar, a band Cara has loved since 2009 when she lived in New York—flown in from Connecticut as a meaningful surprise that made the night unforgettable. Thoughtful artistry flowed through the celebration, from the lush arrangements by Dream Flowers Studioto the custom French toile stationery, hand-drawn by About Joy Events with Cara’s favorite flowers and even their cats.
After the last note faded and the orchids were only a memory, Cara knew her gown’s story wasn’t over. She entrusted it to Elegance Preserved—to be cleaned, preserved, and placed in a large preservation box that would protect it for years to come. Whether for a future vow renewal or as a gift to a daughter, the gown now rests, waiting for its next moment in the light.
{ D E T A I L S }
Photography: Jasmine Lee Photography, videography: Monterey Films, catering: Le Papillon, florals: Dream Flowers Studio, dress & veil: Oscar de la Renta, live band: Eight to the Bar, officiant & best man: @castertroy, maid of honor: @unarobertsic, planning & art: About Joy Events.
