Lindzey Lawler and Marc Rzepczynski, who is a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, were inseparable after their first date, so it was only natural that he would want to propose one day.  The moment arrived when they went to lunch at a country club. “When we arrived I was surprised to find a beautifully landscaped open area with a photographer waiting by a fountain. He said he wanted us to have professional pictures taken for once,” explains Lindzey. “Suddenly he was on one knee with an incredible ring in his hand, asking me for forever.”

A winter date was selected in order to accommodate Marc’s baseball schedule. With the help of their wedding planner, whom the bride now considers a friend, the day of Lindzey’s dreams was arranged, down to the perfect location. “I wanted a venue that was timeless, opulent, and unique,” she states. Vibiana, a former cathedral in downtown Los Angeles, had everything the couple could want in an event space. 

The aesthetic of the nuptials was not the classic white and gold that many people have come to expect, as the bride had a very specific vibe she wanted to embrace. “I wanted a theme of ethereal Italian gothic – dark, sexy, sultry, and vampy. I wanted a wedding that felt theatrical,” she illustrates. To help achieve this goal, the room – which hosted both the ceremony and the reception – was awash in deep purple lighting. Trees were brought in, along with a plethora of vine-covered candelabra and even antique books. “It was like dining at a table that was set in a dark wild garden many years ago,” muses Lindzey. 

An electric violinist set the tone as the bride walked down the candle-lined aisle. Lindzey dazzled in a form-fitting gown with a full train and cathedral veil. “It was a moment too big for words,” she confides. A close friend officiated the ceremony in order to make the vow exchange more personal. The space was expertly transitioned after Lindzey and Marc were pronounced husband and wife, and soon the 85 guests were enjoying gnocchi for dinner. The cake matched the look of the evening – three tiers with matte black fondant, adorned with the same dark and moody blooms that made up the centerpieces. 

Though the bride admits she wished she had selected a second dress in order to make dance easier, the day otherwise was exactly as she could have hoped. For those planning their own wedding, her advice is simple: “Surround yourself with positivity.”