Stylish Birdie G’s Wedding | Tatiana & Matt
When someone who lives and breathes weddings every day chooses you to plan theirs - it hits differently. This past May, I had the incredible honor of planning a deeply personal, joy-filled wedding for a dear friend and industry colleague at Birdie G’s in Santa Monica.
Our bride Tatiana is a seasoned wedding venue manager. She has seen hundreds of weddings, worked with countless amazing vendors, and knows what it takes to pull off a seamless celebration. She also had her pick of wedding planners in Los Angeles and she chose me and my team. That trust meant the world to me! And thus fueled my excitement to help bring this lovely couple’s day to life.
A Relaxed Morning, a Beautiful Start
The wedding day began with a calm, joyful energy inside one of the penthouses at Palihouse Santa Monica. The couple opted for a relaxed morning getting ready at their own pace, surrounded by close friends and family. Their first look was tender and genuine - full of love, laughter, and just a few happy tears. It set the tone for a wedding day that was effortlessly beautiful and emotionally rich.
Birdie G’s Santa Monica - Industrial-Chic Style with Warm California Charm
Birdie G’s in Santa Monica is a restaurant that doubles as a modern wedding venue and successfully blends laid-back California style with design-forward details. The exterior boasts an impressive industrial greenhouse aesthetic, with striking steel beams, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and drought-tolerant landscaping featuring cacti, succulents, and other native flora. The open-air patio, strung with bistro lights and shaded by dramatic architectural lines, set a picture-perfect scene for our outdoor ceremony under the blue SoCal sky.
Upon arriving to the space, the couple took tons of romantics portraits as they waited for their guests to arrive. The location provided a number of modern backdrops surrounding the restaurant which made it easy for them to stay nearby but still getting in all those much-desired photo ops.
Wedding Ceremony at Birdie G’s
Setup for the ceremony included a few beautiful floral arrangements adorned on a chuppah structure, with a tallit draped on top that belonged to the family.
For the actual ceremony they included some cultural touches as well as fun and personal touches, such as the traditional stomping of the glass to end the ceremony. We hid a special coin underneath a guest’s seat so that they could do a coin-toss to select who would do their vows first. They chose their brothers to officiate the ceremony which was incredibly sweet and wonderful to watch. It was a reflection of how close these families already were.
Wedding Reception at Birdie G’s
Inside the dinner space, guests were greeted with a stylish, contemporary interior. The space featured polished concrete floors, high industrial ceilings with exposed beams, modern pendant lighting, and oversized windows that flooded the room with natural light. The minimalist framework was softened by colorful art on the walls and warm wooden furnishings. The long communal tables were perfect for family-style dining, and the space transformed beautifully with lush, seasonal florals and candlelit decor.
Tatiana’s eye for design showed in the romantic color palette, modern yet warm tablescapes, and beautifully intentional details such as the cutest (and most personal) table numbers. But more than that the day radiated love, joy, and deep connection. The kind of wedding that leaves you glowing for days.
Matt (our groom) is a total foodie, so the menu was a huge priority. Birdie G’s delivered in every way, serving up a multi-course experience that had guests raving all night.
During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed tray-passed potato waffles, beet tartare and steak tartare, and shrimp toast with their choice of signature cocktails. At dinner tables once guests were seated, they enjoyed more hors d’oeuvres such as their well-known Cast Iron Cornbread, Lavender Almonds, Marinated Olives, and Bashed Cucumbers. Their family style dinner included Birdie G’s famous Birdie’s Caesar Salad (my favorite!), Matzo Ball Soup, Prime Skirt Steak Frites, and so much more. An abundance of food to reflect this couple’s generous nature.
The food wasn’t just good - it was memorable, which was so fitting for a couple who values shared experiences over anything extravagant.
Events throughout the reception included a romantic first dance and the most heart-felt speeches from loved ones I’ve heard in a while. Looking around the room it was hard to find a dry eye! All very evident signs of a truly meant-to-be couple.
It wasn’t about trends or checklists. It was about creating an atmosphere where people felt at ease, fully present, and able to celebrate the couple in a way that was true to who they are.
We opened up dancing with the fun and traditional Hora dance, which brought everyone out of their seats on onto the dance floor. No one wanted to miss out on joining the newlyweds!
As night fell, the couple snuck away for a moment for more romantic portraits to capture the beautiful Santa Monica sunset and candy-cotton sky as their backdrop.
As wedding planners, we always aim to make every event feel like an extension of the couple. And this one? It was so obviously them. From the music to the florals to the cozy seating arrangements and heartfelt speeches, every moment felt authentic and deeply personal.
An Honor I’ll Never Forget
Planning this wedding was a career highlight - not because of the aesthetics (though they were beautiful), but because of the trust, gratitude, and friendship behind it. Seeing a fellow vendor (someone who gives so much to others) be on the receiving end of so much love and celebration was truly special.
To be chosen by someone who knows this industry inside and out? That’s a moment I’ll carry with me forever.
Vendor Team
Venue: Birdie G’s Santa Monica
Planning & Coordination: A Fabulous Soiree
DJ & MC: Dart Collective
Florals & Chuppah: Ixora Florist
Glam: Heather Rose Coleman
Photography: Teri B Photography
Ceremony Chairs: 3 Little Birds Event Planning
Bride’s Attire: BHLDN
Groom’s Attire: Matthew Gonzalez Bespoke