Jenna Goldstein and Michael Soumekh first connected on a Jewish-leaning dating app called The Lox Club. “It was actually the first date either of us had ever been on through an app,” Jenna shares. “My mom had made me sign up for it a few days before to meet a ‘nice jewish boy.’ As fate would have it, we lived just three blocks apart, and we met for happy hour which turned into many many hours and fun.”
After two years together, Mikey proposed during a stay at her parents’ cabin in Pennsylvania. He arranged for both of their families to celebrate with them, after he got down on one knee during a walk with their pup.
Once engaged, the pair chose to host their wedding in Mikey’s hometown of San Diego. “It is such a meaningful place for us, as I grew up going there every summer, and Mikey is a California boy at heart,” Jenna explains. “We knew we wanted something unique that would allow our East Coast guests to fully enjoy the sunshine and beach.”
With its European villa-esque aesthetic, Fairmont Grand Del Mar was the couple’s dream venue. To help bring their vision to life, they enlisted the help of Jasmine Serrano of Sweet Blossoms Weddings, while Over The Moon The List Photographer Lexie Hand was on-hand to lens every one-of-a-kind moment.
The wedding weekend—which was also Memorial Day Weekend—kicked off at Mikey’s family’s home in La Jolla, overlooking the water. “It was intimate, heartfelt, and the perfect way to weave in both Persian and Jewish traditions,” the bride shares. To this, Jenna wore a sleek David Koma dress with vintage Saint Laurent shoes.
The next day, Jenna got ready with makeup artist and hairstylist Natalie Rose Jones and put on her Berta wedding dress and Jimmy Choos. She walked down the aisle to meet Mikey underneath the draped chuppah with florals on either side by Best Bud. “Our ceremony was deeply rooted in love, family, and Jewish traditions,” she says. “We exchanged personal vows that spoke to how we both instantly knew and our excitement for the life we’re building together.”
Once wed, Jenna and Mikey joined their guests at the reception, inspired by a European villa feel with a California twist. The newlyweds shared a first dance to “Sweet Symphony” by Chris Stapleton—one of their favorite artists. And Republic of Music kept everyone on the dance floor afterward.
Toward the end of the night, Jenna changed into her final look—a custom piece designed with SAMARAYE STUDIO. “We handpicked every detail—fabric, cut, beading, and bow—to create a playful yet effortless look that still felt bridal but not too traditional,” she shares.
Then, the bride’s close friend, DJ YAGIRLASH, played the couple’s favorite throwback tunes that made them feel like they were on a New York City rooftop. “Her sets had been such a huge part of our 20s living in NYC,” Jenna says. “It was so meaningful to bring that energy and joy to the wedding.”
The after-party consisted of a small group of friends in Jenna and Mikey’s suite. The group reminisced, danced, and—of course—let the couple’s sweet cocker spaniel out!
