A Valentine’s Day Weekend to Remember: Jewish American Lakeside California Wedding

Christina Bogino
Jul 7
2 min read

When Augusta and Bar chose Valentine’s Day weekend for their wedding, they envisioned a day that celebrated their blended cultures, their shared love story, and even their two rescue cats, Donut and Candy. Nestled on a private Southern California estate with a man-made lake and cascading waterfalls, their Jewish American Lakeside California Wedding wove dramatic reveals and personal touches into an unforgettable celebration.

1. Lakeside Décor & Waterfall Backdrop

Their ceremony took place on a peninsula into the lake, decorated with wood columns draped in pale pink hydrangeas. The waterfall’s gentle trickle provided a natural soundscape as friends and family watched from crisp clean white chairs.

2. Horse-Drawn Carriage Entrance

A vintage white carriage emerged from behind the vineyard rows. The trotting of horses’ hooves set the pace as Augusta glided down a stone-paved aisle toward Bar. Inside, velvet seats and garlands.

3.A Cinematic Bridal Reveal

Moments later at the aisle’s end stood a pair of freestanding white doors, symbolizing stepping into a shared future. As a soft violin score rose, Augusta appeared in a designer gown, clutching blush roses and ranunculus. Two coordinators held each door, unveiling her in a moment straight out of film. It was the perfect opening for their Jewish American Lakeside California Wedding.

4. A Custom Blend of American & Jewish Ceremony

Rather than follow a strictly traditional format, the couple created a bespoke ceremony with their officiant. They started with personal vows and a unity candle—classic American moments—and concluded with the singular Jewish ritual of smashing the glass. Bar placed his foot on a ceremonial glass, recited a heartfelt blessing, and stomped down to shatter it. The guests’ cheered Mozel Tov, celebrating both the joyous moment and its cultural significance of resilience and renewal.

5. A Fairytale Recessional

After a celebratory walk down the aisle Augusta and Bar climbed back into their horse-drawn carriage for a lakeside ride. They toasted with champagne flutes as guests waved, sending their love story off in radiant style.

6. Dessert Bar Featuring Donut & Candy

At the dessert station, wood shelves held mini donuts and custom candies in pink, white, and black. Decorated with a sign of custom illustrated whimsical portraits of Donut and Candy. Guests loved learning that these feline friends had inspired the couple’s first café date, complete with shared pastries.

7. Monochrome Chic with Pops of Pink

Reception tables paired crisp white linens with blush napkins and acrylic table numbers. Centerpieces of blush roses, ranunculus, and eucalyptus sat amid unique black glass votives.

8. Fire & Water Spectacle Finale

At dusk, fire bowls lined the water’s edge, their flames dancing in the cool evening air. Accented by streams of water, illuminated in amber. The fountain show peaked just as Augusta and Bar sealed their union with a kiss—fire and water ending the night in a breathtaking moment.

Augusta and Bar’s Valentine’s Day wedding was a masterclass in balancing grandeur with personal warmth. By crafting a custom American–Jewish ceremony twist, staging cinematic reveals, and even featuring their cats Donut and Candy, they created a Jewish American Lakeside California Wedding that felt both spectacular and deeply authentic. When you honor your roots and weave in the details that make your story unique, the result is nothing short of magical.