Lola and Jessica Romero were first introduced through Lola’s family friend, when the two were in high school. They sporadically kept in touch over the years, but it was Instagram that re-connected the two finally. And after six years together, Lola surprised Jessica with a romantic proposal at home.
The two had just finished dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, Manchego in Santa Monica, and upon entering their house, Jessica was stunned to see a floral aisle leading to the living room. There, her sister-in-law Milena and their photographer friends Chris and Lauren were waiting to witness the special moment. “Lola met me at the end of the aisle with a gorgeous salt and pepper diamond ring and my favorite vintage tunes, ready to propose,” Jessica remembers.
Once engaged, the two knew they wanted a backyard garden wedding. “I love plants, wild flowers, and candles,” Jessica states. “I wanted my wedding to look like an enchanted magical garden.” To help bring their vision to life, the couple trusted top planner Mindy Weiss and Andrew Haupt.
To walk down the aisle, it was important for Lola—who is into streetwear and sweatsuits—to find a dress and designer that still aligned with her style. “Through extensive Google-searching I came across Danielle Frankel Studio’s website and immediately fell in love!” Lola exclaims.
“[The] next important thing to me was finding a bridal shop where I truly felt comfortable, especially as a lesbian bride.” At LOHO Bride, which is also the only Los Angeles boutique to carry Danielle Frankel, it was an easy experience for Lola. “I basically tried on Danielle’s entire line and picked the one that felt most like me—the Simone Gown.”
Since Jessica is a store brand leader for Free People, she’s had time and experience to cultivate her own personal style. “I’ve always had a love for vintage clothing—dating back to the ’40s & ‘50s—and oversized/baggier silhouettes,” she says. It was important that she find a wedding dress that matched her aesthetic and flattered her curvier figure.
It took the bride-to-be a long time to find something even remotely close to what she wanted, until she stumbled upon Kamperett’s Instagram page, where she eventually fell in love with one of their ivory gowns. She completed her ensemble with Oscar de la Renta Dot earrings and the Nala sandals by Cult Gaia.
And with Jessica’s connection to the URBN brands, the wedding party was seamlessly styled in BHLDN dresses. Bridesmaids got ready before the service with makeup artists Lizeth Ayala and Maleeka Williams and hairstylist Alexandra Hawk, while the brides were attended to by Marisa Tomaino, Courtney Turner, and Arianna Montazem.
On April 9, 2022, the ceremony was set up in a close friend’s Brentwood backyard. About 100 of the couple’s closest family and friends were seated in the grass, overlooking the hillside to the ocean. A string quartet from West Coast Music played romantic tunes to thoroughly set the love-filled mood.
Lola first walked down the floral-lined aisle with her father and then waited under the spectacular flower arch by Marks Garden for Jessica to make her way. “As soon as I came around the bend and entered the aisle, I was embraced and blown away by our family and friends cheering,” Lola remembers. “I then got to see the love of my life, the person I fell in love with as a teen, walk down the aisle and meet me…I got to see our loved ones cheer for her and shower her with love as they had just done for me.”
The officiant, Paul Montes, wrote a beautiful ceremony and created a loving space for the two women to share and commit their love to one another.
Once the two were announced as a married couple, they were ready to celebrate with their guests. Cocktail hour was followed by a formal multi-course dinner by Untitled Events Catering, and then Jessica and Lola cut their wedding cake by J & L Cakes.
Dancing then commenced with DJ Nitrane. The brides entered their reception tent and went into their first dance to Lalah Hathaway’s live cover of “Angel,” originally sung by Anita Baker. And after the brides’ fathers made heartfelt speeches, they invited their daughters to the dance floor to do the father-daughter dance together.
As the night came to a close, the newlyweds enjoyed some late-night bites and a few nightcaps with their bridal party. Jessica adds, “Lola’s service dog, Louis, was able to get some cuddles in with his moms and all of the guests who wanted a sloppy kiss before their departure!”
