It was the end of Alexandra Maize’s first semester of her sophomore year in college when she needed a date to her sorority formal. The guys she had met at Emory University “simply hadn’t cut it,” so she did what any other millennial would do in 2011 – turn to Facebook. After an hour of scrolling, she came across James Rosenthal, a cute blonde senior from London who she hadn’t met before.
Intrigued, Ally (who always had a thing for blondes), decided to ask him on a blind date to her formal. As soon as James saw her photo, he didn’t need to scroll any further; he knew she was the one.
"JAMES POPPED THE QUESTION ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE TRIP IN THE COURTYARD OVERLOOKING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA."
The college sweethearts were inseparable, even after James graduated and headed to NYC to take on Wall Street. Making their relationship work long distance was a no-brainer for Ally; and when she graduated two years later, she headed to New York to start her own career in finance. Coincidentally, she ended up working two floors below James at the same bank.
After being granted permission from Ally’s father, James planned the proposal. The engagement would take place during Ally’s family’s annual summer vacation, in the South of France. Staying at the iconic Hotel Du Cap, James popped the question on the first night of the trip in the courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The wedding planning process was headed by Mindy Weiss, and Ally and James’ wedding at Rosewood Miramar Beach kicked off with Thursday night cocktails and dessert for the wedding party and immediate family. Friday’s itinerary included a pool party and rehearsal dinner. While Mindy has a global fan base, she has been friends with Ally’s family for decades, growing up around the corner from Ally’s father and attending the same high school. So, the celebrity planner went above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience.
One of the bride’s favorite details was a “SWAG room” that had been set up in lieu of traditional welcome bags. After guests checked in, they were escorted to the room and filled up their own bags with an array of snacks, drinks, hats, golf balls, beauty products, playing cards, face masks, and a print by artist Donald Robertson that had been commissioned for the wedding.
With Donald being a close friend of the Maize family, he contributed to Ally and James’ special day with art that was used throughout their wedding experience – on the dance floor of their engagement party, the save the date cards, playing cards in the swag room, the escort card display, and the step and repeat.
For their honeymoon, Ally had always dreamed of going to the Maldives, while James is more of a city person. Unable to compromise on a location that would satisfy them both, the newlyweds ended up spending a week in the Maldives and a week and a half in Japan.
The Maldives turned out to be the most beautiful place they had ever visited, and Japan offered an ideal mix of culture and food, exposing the newlyweds to a side of the world they had never experienced before. It was the perfect way to begin their new life together.
WEDDING TALENT
Location & Catering: Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito, CA; Planning & Event Design: Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, Los Angeles, CA; Floral Design: Mark’s Garden, Sherman Oaks, CA; Linen: Resource One-Roberta Karsch, Los Angeles, CA; Dress: Monique Lhuillier
