Oxnard Barn - Kristina and Omar - Michael Segal Photo Blog

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What We’ve Learned

“Take time to pull your partner over and enjoy the moment,” says Kristina. “Otherwise, it all rushes past you quicker then you think.”

Photography by Michael Segal

When Kristina Schulte-Eversum, a cinematographer and creative director, was looking for a house after moving to Los Angeles, she found realtor Omar Elminoufi instead. They eventually built a life together. One day, when Kristina came home to play with Ziggy, their dog, she found an incredible surprise: an engagement ring tied to his collar.

The couple’s wedding style grew organically as they determined the design of the big day. “We realized quickly we were looking for something more natural, something with an outdoor space with trees and a garden, but not too arranged,” says Kristina, adding that a friend’s home, just north of Malibu, was the perfect venue. “It was us. Our cultural backgrounds, personalities and taste determined everything from there on out.”

“We decided to create our own ceremony with elements that mean something to us personally, and leave out what had no deeper meaning to us.” says Kristina about how they planned the wedding theme; the couple’s engagement photos, which were taken in Bali, were parts of the decor.

They created an eclectic mix of decor with Arabic and Moroccan lanterns, frames, sheepskins and cowhides as a nod to Omar’s heritage, and European pieces, like vintage dishes and candlesticks, to represent Kristina’s German background. The touches were all personal right down to the hand selected stems in each floral arrangement, all of which had a personal meaning to Kristina.

The dining decor consisted of a menagerie of uncovered vintage tables. “The look of the bare wood, with every table having its own unique color and texture, was more than fitting to our eclectic mix of guests and culture,” adds Kristina. In lieu of a honeymoon, Kristina and Omar opted to spend time with the family and friends who traveled from around the around the globe to share their special day.