I wanted to revisit the wedding of one of my favorite actresses, Marcia Cross to Tom Mahoney.

The Details

Date: June 24, 2006
Ceremony: Church of our Savior, San Gabriel, California
Reception: Ritz Carlton, Pasadena, California
Gown: Reem Acra
Jewelry: Neil Lane
Engagement/Wedding Rings: Tiffany’s
Wedding Party: Seven (!) flower girls, Susen Hett (Maid of Honor)
First Dance: At Last, Etta James
Menu: Sea Bass & Filet Mignon
Flowers: Hydrangeas, roses, calla lilies, white tulips, casablancas, lilacs, and peonies
Cake: 5 ft tall multi-flavored confection that “looked like the empire state building.”

What I Love

Multi-textured table settings with a variety of different colors, the “flower shop” theme with an abundance of fresh blooms, and the mod-glam atmosphere created for the lounge area with the super fabulous candy bar! I also love that her sister sang Paul McCartney’s song “Only Love Remains” as Marcia walked down the aisle with her parents.

… At last

The wedding of Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross and Tom Mahoney took place on June 24, 2006 at San Gabriel’s Church of Our Saviour Episcopal parish in Pasadena, California. “Walking up the aisle was a glorious moment. I was just so happy,” says Cross, who accessorized her custom Reem Acra gown with a cathedral-length veil and Neil Lane platinum-and-diamond jewelry. In a twist on tradition, only married couples were asked onto the dance floor for the post-ceremony bouquet toss. One by one the couples were eliminated until the pair married the longest (more than 50 years) were presented with the bride’s bouquet of white peonies and lilacs.

Seven flower girls—Cross’s niece and the daughters of her closest friends, clad in white Reem Acra dresses—carried silk douppioni baskets and tiny bouquets down the aisle. The bride, on the arms of her parents, Janet and Mark, followed in a creamy strapless embroidered gown, also designed by Reem Acra. Eagerly waiting at the altar for Cross was Mahoney. Although the ceremony was suitably solemn, the guests erupted in cheers as soon as the minister pronounced the pair husband and wife.

For the reception, Julie Pryor, of Pryor Events, and Hidden Garden Floral Design Studio, both in L.A., transformed the ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton Pasadena into a breathtaking all-white flower shop where 232 guests, including Cross’s co-stars—Eva Longoria with boyfriend Tony Parker, Felicity Huffman with husband William H. Macy, Doug Savant, and Housewives creator Marc Cherry—had cocktails on white ottomans and daybeds amid bursts of snowy Casablanca lilies, tulips and peonies.

To choose a cake, Cross invited pals to a tasting at the Layers Cake Design Studio in Sherman Oaks, California. Each picked a favorite flavor. The result? A five-tier confection that was “delicious and the size of the Eiffel Tower,” Cross has said.

In addition to the towering nuptial confection, a sweets station tempted guests with jars of saltwater taffy, jelly beans, rock candy and chocolate-covered strawberries by Lee Gelfond Chocolates in L.A. Thoughtful touches continued, even after goodbyes were said: For the newlyweds, it was a trail of flower petals leading to a room aglow with candles. Guests—who also stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Pasadena–ready to turn in found pillows inscribed “Sweet dreams. XO. Marcia and Tom.”
Article courtesy of InStyle Weddings

Marcia Cross & Tom Mahoney Inspiration Board