The Joy of Second Weddings

                                        

If you’re reading this blog post, you’ve probably come from my new website. While this blog remains intact for your reading enjoyment, my previous website is a thing of the past. It’s quite a story!

Back in October 2025, I had the pleasure of planning a wedding for my friend and Bravo star Alexis Bellino. A week before her ceremony tying the knot with John Janssen, I was making the finishing touches on planning the festivities. This meant updating my website. 

But disaster struck. The site crashed, and most of it was unsalvageable. Determined to get a new website online, my site designer and I worked hard to bring Marydann.com back to life. We even stepped away from the wedding for a moment to collaborate with a web developer, to ensure it would go live the next day. The effort paid off and the website is up and running!

Planning this wedding was a great honor. Here’s a clip of Alexis and me discussing this special experience:

 

As Alexis and I say, this was her last and best wedding!

 

I always adore planning second weddings, and I’ve done 2 of them in the last year. There’s something so special about a bride finding her forever groom. These couples have a refreshing maturity and clearheadedness about them, in addition to the excitement that accompanies any wedding. They focus more on connections with friends than on making a huge statement. Their confidence shines through. 

I find these grooms to be more involved, too. There are two collaborative voices. The couple checks in with each other and takes each other’s thoughts into consideration. It’s a beautiful process to be a part of. 

Beverly Hills...What a Thrill!

Greetings,

We are beyond excited about the new look of our Beverly Hills Studio!  With the help of some of our favorite vendors we have created a truly luxe space for clients to enjoy.  This wouldn't have been possible without the uber chic furniture provided by Rrivre Works.  He even built a custom frame to hang a gorgeous chandelier to enhance the space.  Our table setting was accented with lovely floral designs provided by Hidden Garden.  Take a peek at our lovely photos taken by one of our favorites Jen O' Sullivan.

Enjoy!
The Mary Dann Team

 

 

 

Say "I DO!" This Sunday at The Langham Pasadena

Greetings!

We are so excited to be participating in this year's I DO! Bridal Event taking place this Sunday, January 27th from 11am-3pm at The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa. Some of the best Southern California wedding vendors will be there to help you with all of your wedding planning needs!

Come check out our booth we will be partnering with the uber talented Rrivre Works, Hidden Garden, Godfather Films & Jen O' Sullivan.

See you Sunday! To purchase tickets go to http://www.idobridalevent.com/

Much Gratitude,
The Mary Dann Team

Unity in Glass

We are loving this new, beautiful and unique product by our friend Lee Ware, from Unity in Glass.

Unity in Glass captures the beauty and intimacy of a bride and groom’s unity ceremony for eternity in an elegant, hand-crafted glass sculpture.During the wedding ceremony, instead of typically lighting two candles into one or the more recent trend of mixing two different colored sands, Lee Ware has brilliantly created an innovative display of unity. Couples will begin their artistic sculpture journey by personally choosing their desired glass crystal colors, which will then be presented during their wedding ceremony and united in front of family, friends and loved ones. This mixology of love will then be sent back to Lee, where he will then heat, "marry" and sculpt an immaculate glass piece that the couple can keep as a reminder of their life lasting commitment.

Much Gratitude,

Mary

Ocean Wedding at Terranea Resort

On 11.24.12 Elisha and Billy shared a once in a lifetime experience at the beautiful Terranea Luxury Resort with close family and friends. The intimate ceremony was held on the bluff overlooking miles of gorgeous coastline.

The happy couple continued the party in The Catalina Ballroom. Terranea’s Mediterranean architecture allowed for a beautiful blank canvas for Mary Dann and Event Coordinators to create a magical and unforgettable night. Gourmet appetizers and crisp drinks were served to guests as they mingled in the intimate courtyard with Spanish guitar played by Brandt Jacobson. Guests were also encouraged to take fun photos in the photo booth set up by Smile Lounge. After a delicious dinner guests danced the night away. This magical wedding would not be complete without a late night taco bar and a musical set performed by the father of the bride and the new groom. Thanks to Jeff Hurst and his team at Rolling Hills Flower Mart on the beautiful flowers, guests were thrilled with excitement when they were able to take a piece of the wedding home with them

Thank you to Godfather Films for creating a fabulous same day edit wedding video that wowed the guests. Jen O’Sullivan always does such a fantastic job of capturing moments in time for the bride and groom to cherish forever.

 

Much Gratitude,

Mary

 

 

"Better Than A Flat Screen" Sale @ Anna Elyse

Greetings!

We love a good sale especially on Black Friday!  But this Friday, November 23rd, Anna Elyse Bridesmaids will be selling dresses for $30 each or 2 for $50, so you don't want to miss it!  Shop for the perfect party dress instead of that mixer it can wait until later!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Janel

Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale!

Greetings,

It's that time of year again for the Monique Lhullier Semi Annual Sample Sale!  We are so excited to pass this info onto our friends and feel free to do the same...this one is not to be missed! Just in time for the holidays.

Much Gratitude,
Mary