Golden State of Matrimony

When Gina Okum and Perry Rotella were slated to go overseas with several coworkers, they assumed it would be business as usual. One-by-one, the eight other colleagues found themselves unable to commit to the trip, and Gina and Perry embarked on the voyage to India alone.

“At the end of the days, we just sat outside under the stars and moon and talked about life,” remembered Perry. It was there, halfway around the world in an exotic country, that Gina and Perry fell, unexpectedly, in love.

Eighteen months later on an October eve they walked down the aisle. Although the couple currently lives in New York, they chose to exchange their vows near Los Angeles, California, the bride’s hometown. Several hours of searching for the perfect location led them to a private villa nestled among the bluffs of Malibu. Through attending their share of weddings, Gina, 37, and Perry, 42, had developed a vision for their own.

“We are traditional in values, but wanted to tailor the wedding to share our story of love,” said Gina.

So the couple took part in planning every facet of the celebration with every element designed to evoke their whirlwind romance, down to the hand-embroidered linens with pearl overlay and exquisite Indian-inspired details.

Hidden Garden Floral Designs in Los Angeles spun a splendid bridal bouquet of green cymbidium and orange makara orchids (Gina’s favorite flower), hypercium berries, and Leonidas and Voodoo roses wrapped in sable-colored ribbon. Perry’s boutonnière incorporated the orange makara orchids from Gina’s bouquet as well as hypercium berries all wrapped in an orange ribbon.

The ceremony took place on a stone terrace near the villa. Each row of brown Chiavari chairs was bedecked with clusters of orange dahlias, Leonidas and Circus roses, green hydrangea and amaranthus attached by satin ribbon. Rose petals in shades of orange, rust, and yellow whispered autumn as they led the way to the altar. There, Indian sari fabric (traditionally worn by Indian women) draped from a pergola to create the time-honored Jewish altar, known as a Chuppa. Dahlia and rose heads attached to satin ribbons were suspended from the ceiling of the Chuppa, a design concept also inspired by the Indian trip where Gina and Perry’s love story began.

As Perry stood at the end of the aisle, he displayed an endearing mixture of nerves and excitement. When the moment arrived, Gina was the picture of calm and grace in a simple, elegant strapless Monique Lhuillier gown with sable-colored ribbon at the bodice and a cathedral length veil as she walked toward him, accompanied by Elton John’s “Your Song” (a sentimental favorite that Perry often sang to his future bride.)

After exchanging vows they had written themselves, the newlyweds strolled hand-in-hand as well-wishers tossed petals from paper cones. Mr. and Mrs. Rotella enjoyed a few precious moments alone (a time-honored Jewish custom) before rejoining the festivities. In their absence, guests sampled a lemonade bar boasting strawberry lemonade with fresh strawberries, lavender hibiscus lemonade with lavender sprigs, and of course, the traditional flavor.

The hors d’oeuvres with an Italian slant, including polenta squares with burrata cheese, fried sage leaves with Italian sausage and breadcrumb filling, and grilled shrimp wrapped in thin zucchini strips, hinted at the Tuscan repast to follow. Guests partook on the patio among cocktail tables garnished with gold julep cups full of dahlias, Sweetheart roses, succulents, and textured greens. Green and gold Moroccan votives illuminated the arrangements. A tree of Manzanita branches trimmed with green and burgundy cymbidium orchids and orange makara orchids in a moss-filled wooden box acted as festive signpost, directing guests to their place card.…

See and read more of Gina and Perry’s celebration in our Fall Issue, on newsstands in October.

Fall 2008 | By Valerie Kramer Davis | Photos by Tara Rochelle