The glamorous Old Hollywood wedding of Ally and Eban recently took place at The London West Hollywood, culminating a romance that began unexpectedly during the pandemic.

From Indiana University to an L.A. Reconnection

Ally and Eban first crossed paths as freshmen at Indiana University in Bloomington, existing only as casual acquaintances within the same social circles.

Their relationship took a significant turn in 2020 when the pandemic sent them home early from their senior year, prompting a reconnection in Los Angeles. With Ally based in West L.A. and Eban in Manhattan Beach, they began spending time together like never before.

The Nine-Hour, Sunburned First Date

Their initial proper date was intended to be by the pool, but the building manager intervened, forcing them onto Ally’s sun deck. This impromptu location led to nine hours of continuous conversation, resulting in both getting slightly sunburned.

Shortly after this intense reconnection, Eban relocated to rural Oklahoma for work. The relationship solidified only after his return to Los Angeles, with early dates occurring near Ally’s residence in West Hollywood.

The Proposal and Wedding Vision

The proposal occurred in late July 2023, shortly after Ally’s twin brother’s wedding, where Eban whispered, “Hey! I think we could do this!” Ally took the hint, though she was still surprised by the speed of events.

Eban orchestrated a surprise proposal in Malibu, setting up a picnic table for the occasion on the pretense of stopping to admire the view. Following the proposal, which involved tears and champagne, both families gathered for a celebratory dinner.

Selecting the Perfect Venue

Ally and Eban sought a venue for their 150 guests that balanced modern and vintage aesthetics while offering a true Los Angeles view for out-of-town visitors. The London West Hollywood immediately became their top choice.

The location held personal significance as it was near where their first dates took place. The venue also offered the appealing amenity of the Penthouse suite, which they utilized the night before and the night of the wedding.

Planning an Elegant Garden Celebration

Ally, who works in luxury hospitality, prioritized key elements based on her professional experience: a reliable planner, excellent food and wine, calm beauty teams, and music that kept the dance floor full.

With a two-year engagement, they refined their vision: a white-and-green garden-style wedding incorporating vintage and modern details to complement the hotel’s atmosphere. Karen Sieger of Blissfully Styled Events assisted in bringing this vision to life.

The design focused on ivory and white tones, softened by green accents drawn from the rooftop gardens and warmed with touches of gold. Garden-style florals framed the chuppah, complemented by crystal glassware and Chiavari chairs for a timeless look.

The Wedding Day Unfolds

The morning began comfortably, featuring matching pajama sets for the couple, bridesmaids, and the mothers of the bride and groom. Makeup Therapy managed hair and makeup for Ally’s party, while Eban and his groomsmen relaxed poolside.

The couple saw each other around 1 p.m., resulting in many tears. Following the first look, the ketubah signing took place, preceded by a grounding breathwork exercise led by Eban’s cousin, Noah.

A Meaningful Jewish Ceremony

The ceremony adhered closely to Jewish tradition, featuring personal touches. Ally’s grandfather, Fred, officiated, having been asked only to conduct it in a manner that would honor his father, a Holocaust survivor.

To include non-Jewish guests, Fred delivered the ceremony traditionally in Hebrew and then explained each part in English. Ally’s grandmothers recited the challah blessing, and later, they shared the honor of slicing the wedding cake together.

Three Spaces, One Seamless Celebration

The wedding utilized three distinct areas within The London. The ceremony occurred in Hampton Court, offering downtown Los Angeles views.

Cocktail hour transitioned to the Penthouse Rooftop, featuring a more colorful atmosphere inspired by the couple’s signature drinks: the Old Fashioned and the Paloma. Dinner was served on the West End Rooftop, which maintained an almost entirely white aesthetic.

The Hora immediately energized the dance floor, and the couple ensured the best man and maid of honor were also lifted in chairs. The only minor mishap involved Ally breaking a pointer-finger nail while adjusting her maid of honor’s dress, which they quickly fixed with Scotch tape.

The evening concluded with fresh-baked cookies made from one of The London’s signature recipes. For Ally, the lasting memories were the emotional ceremony, the strong family involvement, and the packed dance floor, perfectly summarized by her repeated sentiment: “This is just the best.”