KT Merry
It all started with a pair of jeans.
And the groom’s parents.
Kori Bero, now the creative director and owner of vintage e-tailer Parks + Lea, was working the floor at a denim boutique in Hollywood, California when Kathy Klingenstein and Robert Miller walked in to shop with their son, Parker. Kori enthusiastically greeted them at the door, leading Robert to the “relaxed fit” section to recommend a pair of “old man jeans.” After a series of uncomfortable exchanges, in which Kori tried to recover from dubbing the man (who would later become her father in-law) “old,” she noticed his son. It may not have been love at first sight, but Kori knew she wanted to know more about the quiet, reluctant shopper she’d spent the afternoon advising on the perfect fit.
KT Merry
In a rather ballsy move, rather than introduce herself to Parker, Kori turned to Kathy. After probing Parker’s mother for information, Kori was determined to pass along her phone number to the shy singer-songwriter in a cool, casual move at the register. She penned her cell number on her business card, but rather than offer to help him anytime he was in the market for another pair of pants, she casually mentioned that the two should hang out sometime. Parker got in touch that evening. And as shy as he was in the moment, Parker now admits, “Kori and I have had a special connection since our first encounter–there was something about her that I needed to find out more [about].”
According to the groom, that connection evolved after their first date. “One of the things that I love most about Kori is that she has such a big heart; she is always honest and genuine.” And Parker’s quiet side became a big source of comfort for Kori: “Parker and I just have a comfortable connectedness,” she describes. Both being creatives, the couple melded their passions into their relationship rather than splitting business from personal. “She is someone I fully trust to give me an honest reaction if I play her some music or want to bounce ideas off her,” says Parker. “And I love getting to contribute some of my ideas and feedback to her constantly growing fashion business. We are both creative people and I think that allows us to support each other in whatever we are doing. I feel like when we’re together there’s nothing we can’t do.”
KT Merry
The couple’s invitation suite and Save the Dates by Jen Simpson Design with calligraphy by Little Miss Press. KT Merry
Three and a half years later, the couple’s love for spontaneity and travel led them to plan a long weekend in Big Sur, about a five-hour drive from the home they shared in Los Angeles. Parker knew that a trip to a picturesque destination along the California coastline would be the ideal setting to propose. After spending much of the first day crafting how and when to drop down on one knee, Parker landed on a hike the couple planned to take the following morning. Strategically hiding the ring in his backpack, the two set out down the coast and through the woods. When they approached a valley surrounded by mountains and trees and found themselves completely alone, Parker knelt down and received an enthusiastic and teary “yes!” from Kori—before he could even open his mouth to ask her to marry him.
The creative couple quickly set out to plan a wedding that complimented their laid-back and easygoing personalities–while also tapping into their passion for high design and quality food, travel and music. Kori, who grew up in Katy, Texas, also sought to include some themes that would speak to her Southern roots, like a BBQ-style rehearsal dinner and a church ceremony that felt traditional yet intimate. Turning to top planner, Brooke Keegan Special Events, Kori and Parker were introduced to their dream venue, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in San Diego.
KT Merry
“With its sun-drenched hillsides and Provencal architecture, Cal-a-Vie was the perfect venue for Kori and Parker’s Labor Day Weekend nuptials,” said Keegan. Kori echoed her planner’s sentiments, and loved the French touches Cal-a-Vie effortlessly infused into the sun-drenched hills of their Southern California backdrop. “From our first visit, Cal-a-Vie felt like a fairytale,” said the bride. “I fell in love with the chapel that was brought over from Dijon, France, and knew that was where I wanted to marry Parker. The Provençal architecture and gardens inspired my wedding vision for hues of blue, white and cream. Parker and I wanted an easy and fuss free environment that still had a sense of beauty and elegance–and Brooke helped us to piece all of this together.”
KT Merry
KT Merry
KT Merry
The rustic, Southern French-inspired celebration started with the ceremony, which took place in the property’s original, 400-year old French chapel. With no electricity, the chapel was illuminated with hundreds of candles, lush greenery and white blooms to create a laid-back yet romantic ambiance. “I loved walking down the aisle with flowers and greens that felt as if they were growing up from the ground,” said Kori. “The simplicity allowed our vows and my beautiful dress to shine through.” After the couple recited their vows, exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as husband and wife, they recessed down the aisle and were showered with dry lavender picked from the fields below.
KT Merry
KT Merry
The bride wore Zuhair Murad—along with one of the most stunning veils we’ve seen in years. Kori’s work in vintage fashion has her wearing pieces from decades past on a daily basis; for her walk down the aisle, she wanted something new and fresh, with an heirloom feel. The bride remembered finding her gown in Los Angeles and how the dress felt like hers from the moment she slipped it on, “I don’t know how else to explain it—it felt like putting on my favorite pair of jeans, it felt good and I still looked like me…it was the most beautiful dress I had ever put on. I had a list of wedding “must haves” and wearing a veil was one of them.
KT Merry
[The bridal consultant] delicately slid the dress’ matching tulle embellished veil onto my head. When I turned around and saw the full look in the mirror, I lost it. I knew at that moment there wasn’t a need to try on another dress.” Kori paired her look with a small clutch of Lily of the Valley, Jimmy Choo sandals in nude, and her ‘something borrowed,’ a pair of antique diamond and pearl earrings Parker’s mother, Kathy, loaned to her.
Cocktail Hour in the rose garden followed the ceremony, where live music played and signature drinks were passed to guests as they took in views of the California sunset over the hills. Parker and Kori used the opportunity to sneak off with KT Merry, who photographed the event for a photo session at golden hour, before their reception on the lawn began. Parker’s signature drink was his favorite, a classic Old Fashioned, while Kori opted for a more seasonal cocktail inspired by their French affair and her dream venue, Prosecco with a splash of St. Germain and a sprig of fresh lavender, cut from the lavender fields of Cal-a-Vie.
KT Merry
The couple’s reception took place on the L’Orangerie lawn, overlooking the hills and lavender fields of the valley. “Parker and I both wanted to have the reception outside under the stars, with an open, fun atmosphere with an organic garden feel,” recalled Kori. With the farm-to-table, rustic-with-a-polish lifestyle of the South of France serving as their ongoing source of inspiration, Keegan and her team turned to Casa de Perrin, Olive Willow Designs, La Tavola Fine Linen, Signature Party Rentals and The Tent Merchant to create a look that felt equal parts elevated and effortless.
KT Merry
KT Merry
KT Merry
Guests were greeted by floating vintage chandeliers, farm style wood tables, lush greenery, an abundance of white and cream flowers, with a hint of navy blue touches when they arrived at the reception. Lavender sprig-adorned settings set the mood for a French-inspired menu with hints of the couple’s favorite things. The couple and their guests dined on a duet of halibut and beef tenderloin with vegetables picked fresh from the gardens of Cal-a-Vie. Rather than presenting the dinner options on paper cards, the couple opted for inventive napkins that doubled as elegant menus.
KT Merry
KT Merry
After dinner, toasts, dessert, wedding cake and dancing followed under the stars. The couple surprised guests with a photo booth and a Chunk-n-Chip ice cream sandwich truck for a late night snack on the dance floor. “With Parker being a musician, we wanted an amazing rock band for our reception and we wanted to spend the night dancing and drinking with all our family and friends–it was very important to Parker that we have live music for the reception to bring life to our party,” said Kori. Late night, Parker jumped on stage to perform for his wife and their friends with their reception’s band, Cowling Band from West Coast Music.
KT Merry
The bride remembered, “We loved dancing with our closest family and friends under the stars and a few beautiful chandeliers that were suspended above the dance floor. Every detail throughout our day was beautifully crafted and allowed us to give our guests the ultimate wedding experience. There wasn’t a detail that was missed.”
