Photos by Aster Films
Hayley and Alan got married at Greystone Mansion & Gardens in Beverly Hills, California, in March 2025, and they started the day apart, getting ready separately before a first look that took the nerves right out of it.
Why a first look worked for them
Hayley and Alan prepared in separate spaces, surrounded by the small details they’d chosen for the day. The first look was where it all became real, and once it was done, the rest of the day moved easily: ceremony, then family photos, then the fun portraits where the two of them could just be together. If you’re on the fence, this is the case for a first look in one sentence. You get the emotional moment without a crowd watching, and your portraits happen before the light (or the champagne) runs out.
The Greystone Mansion wedding ceremony
They exchanged vows on the lawn under a draped white floral arch, with the people closest to them watching. Greystone gives you a lot to work with: a grand stone staircase, fountains, and a long allée of cypress trees that might be the best portrait backdrop in Beverly Hills. Milk Events planned the day.
Cocktails and the reception
As the afternoon turned into the party, cocktails brought everyone together, with oysters on ice, a cellist playing in the garden and a long table set in front of the mansion. The reception kept that same warmth: dancing, laughing and a lot of time with the people they love.
Planning your own estate wedding? Start with our dos and don’ts of planning a garden wedding, and see another Beverly Hills mansion wedding for more ideas.
The idea worth stealing
Split your portraits into two rounds. Hayley and Alan did formal photos right after the ceremony, then a looser round of portraits on their own. The second set is where the relaxed, laughing shots come from, and at a venue with this many backdrops, it pays to leave room for it.
Wedding vendors
- Venue: Greystone Mansion & Gardens, Beverly Hills, CA
- Event planner: Milk Events
- Photographer: Aster Films
- Cinematography: Dreamwood Films
