Cindy met Matt while at school in UCLA. After dating for six years, Matt proposed, setting in motion what would lead up to the greatest Harry Potter wedding ever. Cindy was an avid fan of Harry Potter, and wanted a wedding inspired by the film. Even though Matt had never read a Harry Potter book, he agreed.
In order to make their wedding just right, Cindy took matters into her own hands. She started doing crafts just one month into their 10-month engagement. Cindy made a guest book, save the dates, table markers, and more. The invitation was a Marauder's Map wrapped with a band reading, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Finding a real-life Hogwarts in Los Angeles was a bit of a challenge. Cindy and Matt chose the Hollywood Castle of Los Angeles for its castle-like appearance and feel. The Hollywood Castle includes stone walls which resemble the feeling of Hogwarts. This special setting really gave the wedding its own unique atmosphere.
Cindy noted that "We were both worried that no one would have fun with the formal wizard dress code, but it turns out we have the best friends ever because so many of them came in wizard wear." Guests had plenty of fun with the event, some of them wearing wigs and fur capes. It looks just like a scene out of a movie.
Guests were free to choose how they wanted to dress up, and some came as Hogwarts students. This is Daniel, Cindy's coworker. He used magnets to keep Hedwig sitting on his shoulder.
Cindy and her father crossed a drawbridge to enter the wedding ceremony, which took place in the garden. Can grand entrances get any better than this?
No. The answer is no.
Matt told Martha Stewart Weddings that his favorite part of the day was when he saw Cindy for the first time. "Up until that point there was a lot of fun socializing and getting ready, but in that moment it was just nice to see her," Matt said. "It was the first time in the day that it truly felt like we were getting married."
Cindy didn't miss a single detail in planning her wedding. In fact, the couple's vows were written on parchment to fit into the theme. It made for a presentation that was both meaningful and beautiful.
Even the bride and groom's wardrobe choices fit into the Harry Potter theme. Cindy's bouquet was made up of ranunculus, Andromeda hellebores, and roses for a darker, moodier appearance. Cindy's veil, jewelry, and headpiece were all from Etsy.
Instead of a flower girl, this couple opted for a less traditional choice. Their dog, Millie, headed down the aisle instead.
Cindy and Matt's wedding party was made up of close friends. The party wore black and burgundy accents which fit perfectly into the Harry Potter theme. Paired with the castle's unique backdrop, the wardrobe made for some memorable photos.
No Harry Potter wedding is complete without a sorting ceremony. After the bride and groom said "I do," two of Matt's cousins called up groups of guests. They placed a wizard's hat on each of their heads, sorting them into a Hogwarts house. Guests then received personalized boxes with items including a house crest pin and a class assignment. These class assignments coordinated with the table markers so guests could find their seats for the reception.
If you thought the wedding itself was magical, just wait until you see the reception hall. The reception was designed by Crosby + Jon so that it resembled the great hall of Hogwarts. Candelabras, greenery, book pages, and garlands created an absolutely stunning space.
Even the food was right out of Harry Potter. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple served pumpkin pie. There were plenty of other treats to choose from, including potion parfaits, chocolate wands, and cookies shaped like lightning bolts.
Can you imagine a more magical wedding?