Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

"The first time that Chris and I met was at a taping of The Talking Dead in November of 2014. It was a brief, sweet introduction; but we were both in prior relationships at the time, so it was nothing romantic. About nine months later, we both happened to be single and a mutual friend, Chris's hair stylist Sean James, set us up. I think I still have the first voicemail Chris ever left me saved on my phone (that's right he actually called me, he didn't text!) and I will never forget our first few dates. They were very sweet, and a lot of fun with casual dinners at various restaurants, a trip to the Museum of Jurassic Technology and ice cream (I love sweets!). I wound up booking a television series, South of Hell, and relocated to Charleston to shoot for about six months. So much of our relationship's beginning was spent really getting to know one another over the phone and through FaceTime conversations. It turned out to be really wonderful–we were forced to talk and discover who each of us were and how well we truly got along. It's rare today in a world of instant gratification and people swiping this way and that to find someone willing to put in the effort to just talk and get to know you. When I returned home from filming our relationship flourished. We have had nothing but a relationship filled with romance and adventure; it's a real life love-story."

From: Harper's BAZAAR US

The Proposal

"I knew that I loved Chris and that I wanted to spend my life with him, but was completely surprised, in the best way possible, by his proposal. It was the night of the Creative Arts Emmy's and he had just won the award for the Interactive Media. After the Governors Ball, he told me that there was an after-party at the Chateau Marmont. When we arrived at the hotel we went up to the penthouse, and then he took out a key. I was so confused, but thought that perhaps he had booked a room to celebrate his big win. When he opened the door, the room was covered with rose petals and orchids and as he took my hand and escorted me into the room, he knelt to one knee and proposed to me by candlelight." Photo: Lara Porzak

1 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Invitation

The unconventional nature to Lydia and Chris' wedding began with the invitation suite, an ode to the Tardis in Dr. Who. Read the fine print: one of the series best-known quotes is etched into the last line of the invitation. The attire? Cocktail & Cowboy Boots. Photo: Lara Porzak

2 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Rings

While Lydia's engagement ring is a Hearst family heirloom, the groom had her diamond wedding band made at XIV Karats. Photo: Lara Porzak

3 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Cake

The wedding cake, designed by Joan and Leigh Cakes, was split in two; half traditional tiers adorned with red roses, half fondant replica the same ode to Dr. Who the wedding invitation took inspiration from. Photo: Lara Porzak

4 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Band

One of the brides favorite country singers, Clay Walker, performed at the reception. Photo: Lara Porzak

5 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Party

One of the bride's best friends, DJ Nikki Pennie, took over the music after Clay Walker's performance. Rather than change into a reception dress, Lydia chose to only change out her shoes. In keeping with the Cocktail & Cowboy Boots dress code, she swapped her stilettos for a custom pair of Stallion boots. Photo: Lara Porzak

6 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

And the bride wore...

Along with her custom Christian Siriano ombré beaded wedding gown, the bride wore customized Stuart Weitzman nudist sandals with ombré pave crystals for the ceremony. In her hair, Lydia wore antique diamond hair pins, which were a wedding gift from Chris, who wore a custom Prada suit. Photo: Lara Porzak

7 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Venue

"We were married at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena. When planning a wedding no one, let alone the bride, wants to be stressing out about port-a-potties and dishes and generators or permits–which is all something that has to be sorted out when holding a wedding at many other locations. The Langham is a beautiful, historic hotel, and large enough to host our approximately 450 guest wedding. With the professional planning of Mindy Weiss, there's truly nothing to worry about. Everything was perfectly managed and absolutely flawless." Photo: Lara Porzak

8 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

Bridal Party Gifts

In keeping with the theme of the night, bolo ties were doled out to participants in the ceremony, but (no surprise here) the couple opted out of having traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen. Photo: Lara Porzak

9 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Theme

Servers were clad in all black and special effects makeup as an homage to the couple's love for horror films. Photo: Lara Porzak

10 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

Breaking with Convention

"We are unconventional. We do not have your typical bridal party, just my sister and his brother will be standing there with us. There will also be robots and zombies, of course!" Other breaks with tradition included Lydia choosing not to wear a veil or have flower girls in her bridal party. Lydia also ditched the tradition of keeping her gown a secret from her groom and her guests; Chris joined her at her final dress fitting a week before the wedding, where he took a photo of her that she posted on Instagram. Photo: Lara Porzak

11 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Dress

The bride turned to her friend, designer Christian Siriano for her custom, non-traditional wedding gown. Siriano also created looks for her mother and sister. The ombré tulle ballgown with a high-low hemline had a low back and an illusion sweetheart neckline, which along with the long sleeves was completely covered in delicate degradé beading that worked its way into the skirt. Photo: Lara Porzak

12 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

Love & All Things Sci-Fi

Lydia and Chris' nuptials were a true combination of everything they love: from Dr. Who to Star Wars, Western duds and Blue Star Donuts all set in a lavish ballroom with hundreds of red roses. After their undeniably personal nuptials, Lydia penned a love note to Chris on her Instagram which read: "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there's a life after that, I'll love you then too." Photo: Lara Porzak

13 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Happy Couple

"Chris completely swept me off my feet! He has shown me what it feels like to be loved and I love him with all my heart. I feel so fortunate to have married the man of my dreams." Photo: Lara Porzak

14 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Surprise Guests

e unconventional sci-fi touches trickled through the not-so-basic reception–like an appearance from R2D2. Photo: Lara Porzak

15 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

Impromptu Performances

The groom couldn't help but hop on stage for a cameo performance at the reception. Photo: Lara Porzak

16 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The. End.

Photo: Lara Porzak

17 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The Ceremony

I love color! All of the aspects of the event ranged from light pink to a deep burgundy and of course, Tardis blue. Unique and special, just like my relationship with Chris. Rev. Edward Dumke (who married my mother and father) officiated the ceremony along with Jaime King." Photo: Lara Porzak

18 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding

The First Dance

Clay Walker sang I'd Love To Be Your Last for our first dance. Photo: Lara Porzak

19 of 19

Inside Lydia Hearst And Chris Hardwick's California Wedding