
On a Boat: In lieu of a bridal luncheon, the bride and groom planned a boat cruise around San Diego for their entire wedding party. “I wanted a chance for everyone to be together and enjoy the weather and views that California offers,” Claire says. The bridal party boat cruise was just another opportunity for playful custom moments, like this life ring designed by stationer Katherine Jezek with calligraphy by Laura Lines Calligraphy.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Custom Details: Claire asked long-time friend Katherine Jezek to design custom moments for the day, including the stationery suite. A custom 4-ply paper with slits for the woven-edge grosgrain ribbon are paired with a scalloped envelope liner. A details card featured a custom crest that was used throughout the wedding weekend.
Photo by John Cain Photography
A Good Deal: Katherine Jezek worked with Laura Lines Calligraphy to design a set of playing cards for the welcome boxes. Illustrations included scenes that reminded Claire and Carson of La Jolla—like sea lions, golf clubs, and tiles from the village—as well as the couple’s Goldendoodle, Bodie.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Take a Bow: Claire chose a dress by Peter Langner from the Bridal Salon at Neiman Marcus. “I fell in love with the fabric immediately because of the applique flowers,” she says. The original dress had a high neck, but Claire worked with Neiman Marcus to redesign the neckline. They also added a bow by designer Lela Rose.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Club Special: The couple said their nuptials at La Jolla Country Club in front of 250 of their friends and family. The ceremony was held on the fairway of the first hole. After, guests were treated to dinner and dancing in the ballroom.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Going Green: The bridesmaids wore Fame and Partners gowns in a beautiful green hue that played off the reception’s color scheme. “I thought the greenish blue would allow the flowers to pop,” Claire says. “I wanted a color that was neutral enough for the flowers, but something a little more fun.”
Photo by John Cain Photography
Simply Beautiful: Claire’s one request for wedding designer and florist Kathleen Deery was to choose organic, in-season stems. Her simple, white bouquet complemented the natural beauty of the venue.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Coast Along: Claire and Carson chose a destination wedding in Southern California’s La Jolla neighborhood, where Claire’s family lived for a period of time. “We looked at a few other venues, but nothing compared to the views and feel of La Jolla Country Club,” she says.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Love is Sweet: The four-tiered wedding cake featured pressed flowers for an organic look.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Take it Outside: Even though the couple didn’t want a seated dinner, they still needed plenty of places for guests to sit, so they offered multiple vignettes of comfortable seating, as well as tables and chairs on the patio.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Raise the Bar: The couple served Azaleas—the signature cocktail from the Masters golf tournament.
Photo by John Cain Photography
Having a Ball: “I wanted the ballroom to feel totally transformed,” Claire says. “Kathleen [Deery Design] had an artist do our band backdrop and make the leaves that were attached to the chandeliers to make it feel like the design was being pulled through the room.”
Photo by John Cain Photography
Photo by John Cain Photography
A Toast on the Coast: Following the ceremony, a cocktail hour was held on the patio, where guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and live music as the sun was setting.
Photo by John Cain Photography
A Sweet Ride: Following the ceremony, Claire and Carson took a celebratory spin in the golf cart that transported Claire and her father from the clubhouse to the green.
Photo by John Cain Photography
By Ryan Conner
Claire Mueller & Carson Riggan
August 28, 2021
It was on their second date that Carson Riggan learned Claire Mueller was accident-prone—she spilled a drink all over someone’s leg. “My clumsiness persists today. This moment is something we reference often,” Claire laughs. In fact, due to said clumsiness, Claire had ankle surgery about a year into dating. But that’s when she figured out she wanted to marry Carson. “I couldn’t drive, and Carson would come pick me up every night after my business school class let out,” she says. “He would be blaring some ridiculous music to make me laugh after hobbling to the car on my crutches.” Two years after meeting, Carson surprised Claire with a rooftop proposal and dinner with friends and family.
As for the wedding, it went off without a hitch—or any broken bones. They married on August 28, 2021, at the La Jolla Country Club in San Diego, the site of the couple’s first vacation with Claire’s family. “I love how La Jolla is laid-back and a little stuck in time. We wanted all of our friends and family to experience it,” she says. They treated their guests to three days of parties, a boat cruise, and a wedding night that ended in an epic dance party with not one, but two encores.
Claire called on long-time best friend Katherine Jezek, a graphic designer by trade, to design about 30 pieces of personalized moments, from monogrammed towels for the boat cruise and custom flags for the putting green to custom-printed welcome boxes and koozies.
The designer was called in early in the planning process to design the save-the-dates, and they worked together from there on out. “I like to think about weddings in the sense of a brand,” Katherine says. “Setting colors, design details, and a logo or monogram from day one helps to make sure everything is consistent throughout the entire weekend.”
Guests: 250
First Dance: “You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac
Honeymoon: Big Island and Lanai, Hawaii
Ceremony/Reception Site
La Jolla Country Club
Photographer
John Cain Photography
Bridal Gown Designer (Gown & Veil)
Peter Langner
Bridal Gown Designer (Bow)
Lela Rose
Bridal Gown Retailer
Hair
Maitee Miles
Makeup
Maitee Miles
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Designer
Fame & Partners
Flowers
Kathleen Deery Design
Stationery
Katherine Jezek Design
Cake
Fab Cakes Design
Catering
La Jolla Country Club
Music
Everyday People
Music
West Coast Music
Videographer
Isabel Gonzalez
Wedding Rentals
Kathleen Deery Design
Wedding Planner
Easton Events
Wedding Designer
Kathleen Deery Design
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