Laurel Donnenwirth & Angelo Claussen
August 31, 2024
Willow Heights Mansion
The happy couple was all smiles on their big day.
THE COUPLE Corporate sales executive Laurel Donnenwirth and law enforcement officer Angelo Claussen met through the groom’s sister, remaining friends for several years before Angelo decided to take the plunge. Sparks flew during a whirlwind New Year’s Eve vacation in 2020, and the duo made it official two months later. After two years of bliss, Angelo popped the question overlooking the ocean at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, before shocking his betrothed with a surprise engagement party.
The couple wrote their own vows, which they recited during to each other during a private first touch.
THE PARTY The reception and ceremony were held at Willow Heights Mansion in Morgan Hill, the first venue the couple toured. Laurel was a vision in white and paired her posh gown with earrings borrowed from her mother and a pearl necklace gifted from her grandparents. The couple wrote their vows but recited them privately during their first touch. “It was the perfect moment: private, intimate and personal,” the newlyweds note.
Bright bouquets featured cafe latte and barista roses.
Delicious passed bites during the cocktail reception and a sumptuous sitdown dinner preceded some serious dance floor antics. “We have a wild group of friends and family who partook in dancing for hours,” the couple explains. “By the night’s end, all the groomsmen were shirtless and sweaty with only their vests on. The bride and bridesmaids had a fun surprise line dance they worked on during the bachelorette party.”
Laurel gifted her bridesmaids matching tennis bracelets.
THE HONEYMOON The pair haven’t taken their honeymoon yet but plan to visit Italy and Angelo’s family in Denmark for a few weeks before the year ends. Their advice for those still in the planning stages? “It’s your day, and it goes by faster than you can ever imagine,” Laurel and Angelo warn. “Make an effort to stay by your partner’s side—you want all your memories from your wedding to be together as a couple.”
The day was full of love, literally and figuratively.
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Willow Heights Mansion, liveloveleal.com
Bride’s Gown Morilee | Madeline Gardner, Trudy’s, trudysbrides.com
Bride’s Shoes Lulus, lulus.com
Bride’s Jewelry Tennis bracelet, Lulus, lulus.com
Bride’s Veil Bel Aire Bridal, Trudy’s, trudysbrides.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Salina Carter, hairbysalina.com; Makeup: Adele Ingersoll Nader, makeupbyadele.com
Groom’s Tux Giovanni Bresciani, Castelli Fashions, 408.396.7166
Rings Hers: The Leo Diamond, Kay Jewelers, kay.com; His: Kay Adore, Kay Jewelers, kay.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Birdy Grey, birdygrey.com
Flower Girl’s Dress JJ’s House, jjshouse.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes Giovanni Bresciani, Castelli Fashions, 408.396.7166
Invitations Etsy, etsy.com
Videographer Samantha Castillo, @thatsammie
Photography by: Vanessa Ramos
