September 3, 2022
Walnut Creek
The happy couple celebrated their marriage at a private estate with close family and friends.
THE COUPLE Layla Kariynn Anderson-Washington had just graduated from Wellesley College and decided to visit L.A. with her aunt to search for jobs. The duo stayed with family friends known for entertaining, and it was at one of these gatherings that Layla was introduced to Matthew (Matt). Sparks flew, and each knew they had finally found their soulmate.
The intimate setting provided guests with a gorgeous backdrop to celebrate the newly married couple.
THE PROPOSAL Ready to pop the question, Matt took advantage of the couple’s upcoming trip to Washington, DC, where they were to participate in the March on Washington. One night before the march, the beau-to-be surprised Layla with a gorgeous gown and matching pumps to wear to dinner in the city, plus some bubbles to sip while she glammed. A hired car took the lovebirds to the waterfront restaurant Fiola Mare. They checked in, then took a stroll while waiting for their table—an elaborate ruse that even the restaurant was in on!
After getting down on one knee, Matt revealed a photographer hiding in the bushes who captured the magic moment and even a prescheduled 30-minute photo shoot. The happy couple celebrated with an exquisite seafood dinner and Champagne, rounding out the perfect proposal.
The bridal party
THE PARTY Layla and Matt were engaged for two years before tying the knot at the private home of the bride’s maternal grandparents, where she summered every year. The happy couple’s ceremony included Jewish and African American nods, including a Jewish ceremony under the chuppah officiated by a rabbi. They also closed the ceremony by jumping a broom decorated by the bride and her mother. Afterward, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed family-style catering (the bride named the Aleppo honey-glazed salmon as her fave) and a chocolate raspberry cake with white fondant icing.
The bride wore a Carolina Herrera gown
THE LIST
Wedding Planner Chanda Daniels, A Monique Affair, amoniqueaffair.com
Bride’s Gown Carolina Herrera, Marina Morrison, marinamorrison.com
Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, Net-a-Porter, net-a-porter.com
Bride’s Jewelry Dina Mackney, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com
Bride’s Veil Carolina Herrera, Marina Morrison, marinamorrison.com
Gourmet fare at the reception
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Vernitta Weddles, Ninahwee Beautymaker, ninahwee.com
Groom’s Tux SuitSupply, suitsupply.com
Rings Hers: Custom; His: BVLGARI, bulgari.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Mac Duggal, Saks Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com; BHLDN, Anthropologie, anthropologie.com
Groomsmen’s Tuxes Jim’s Formal Wear, jimsformalwear.com; Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com
Florals Le Bloomerie, lebloomerie.com
Florals from Le Bloomerie graced the tables.
Catering The Red Door Catering, reddoorcatering.com
Cake Cupcakin’ Bake Shop, cupcakinbakeshop.com
Rentals & Lighting Standard Event Rentals, standardeventrentals.com
Linens Napa Valley Linens, nvlinens.com
Entertainment Luca & Lucca, lucaandlucca.com; Martin Luther McCoy, rebelsoulmusic.com; DJ TraeNed, ned.life; Duo Gadjo, duogadjo.com
Videographer Hit Maker Films, hitmakerfilms.com
Transportation Black Tie Transportation, blacktietrans.com
Photography by: Patrick Quezada Photography
