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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Love in the Digital Age

Meet Janine and Doug Rubenstein. The pair met on Facebook, fell in love, and wound up at the altar three years later. They were married on August 21, 2011 at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
02
A Pleasant Surprise

“I had originally wanted my mother to make my dress and only planned to have a fun day trying things on, but after getting zipped up in this one Alita Graham gown, I fell in love,” Janine remembers.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
03
Pretty In Pink

Janine’s pretty pink Badgley Mischka bridal heels complement her whimsical wedding style perfectly.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
04
All About the Pink

Pink is one of the bride’s two favorite colors, so she made sure to include lots of it on her big day.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
05
A Team Effort

“We were definitely on a tight budget,” says Janine. “We did almost everything ourselves with a lot of help from close friends and family.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
06
All Around Gorgeous

Janine’s dream dress didn’t just look the part, but it wound up being pretty comfortable too. “It was light and airy and whimsical and romantic,” she says. “I loved everything about it.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
07
The Handsome Groom

Doug, 26, is a financial analyst from New Jersey who lucked out when he got a job offer in San Francisco right after college. It was there that he met hometown honey Janine through a mutual friend.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
08
Here They Come

As you can see, Doug and Janine had a very large bridal party. There were a total of sixteen bridesmaids and groomsman all together.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
09
Best Dressed

Doug and his groomsman rocked tan suits with bold ties. We love the way Doug’s pink one contrasts with the other colors. What a dapper bunch of young men.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
10
The Color of Love

We’re nuts about Janine and Doug’s pretty color combo. The ladies are wearing that pink and purple well.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
11
Smile for the Camera

Hoping to find these lovely bridesmaid dresses for your girls one day? You can find them at J. Crew. Janine’s mother made the bridal and bridesmaid veils and the flower girl dresses.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
12
Add Me As A Friend

The first time Facebook friends Janine and Doug met in person was at a holiday party in San Francisco. “We danced to a couple of reggae songs, exchanged numbers, and shortly thereafter went on our first real date!”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
13
Speechless

When Doug surprised Janine with a proposal, she was so shocked that she barely remembers what happened. “I have no clue what Doug said during his proposal, but I know it was beautiful,” she recalls.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
14
1+1=2

Janine and Doug knew almost instantly that their love would stand the test of time. The pair admit, getting to the altar was tops on their list.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
15
Everyone’s Welcome

“We had a large outdoor wedding with 220 guests,” says Janine. “It was a beautiful Spanish style garden and nature preserve filled with trickling fountains.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
16
The Love Below

Janine and Doug took their vows beneath the traditional Jewish chuppah — Doug is half Jewish so it was only fitting that they incorporate some of his family traditions into their “hybrid ceremony.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
17
Unveil Your Love

The bridesmaids’ handmade veils nearly stole the show. What lovely accents for their pretty purple gowns.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
18
Surrounded by Love

The happy couple take their vows before their dearest loved ones and proud bridal party. #younglove

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
19
1, 2, 3, Jump!

“We jumped the broom as a nod to our African and African-American ancestry,” says Janine. “Doug is half Jewish so we also broke the glass. Another great moment was when his frat brothers and my sorority sisters surrounded us and sang our organizations’ respective sweetheart hymns.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
20
It’s Official

The new Mr. and Mrs. Rubenstein seal the deal. Note: Janine’s mom made her lovely cathedral length veil. Isn’t it a beauty?

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
21
The Little Things

When it comes to love, sometimes the smallest things bring about the biggest revelations. “When I spent time with Doug’s parents and family and saw how their love is reflected in him, I knew he was ‘the One.’”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
22
You’re The One I Love

Ask Janine what she loves about Doug and she’ll have plenty to say. “He’s the most genuine, loving, and faithful guy I’ve ever met,” she says. “And he throws down in the kitchen. You know what they say: The key to a modern woman’s heart, is through her stomach.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
23
Sit Here

The groom’s cousin designed these gorgeous seating cards, the menus, and arranged all the florals. Now that’s what we call lending a helping hand.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
24
We’re All Set

Lovely table settings greeted guests in the garden for the couple’s family style reception.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
25
Remember the Time

When Doug surprised Janine with a birthday dinner and proposal she was touched that he went out of his way to make sure that her entire family attended.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
26
Love, Sweet, Love

Janine’s bridesmaid Nile made their lovely four-tier colorful cake — helping to nail their whimsical and romantic theme. It looks almost too good to eat.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
27
Bring On the Color

“I’m not one of those super chic black and white brides,” says Janine. “I love color!” Her favorite colors are pink and purple and Doug’s favorite is blue – together they made the perfect color palette for their whimsical wedding day.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
28
Falling for You

Janine once surprised Doug with a ski trip that wound up being one of their fondest (and funniest) memories to date. “Neither of us had skied before,” she recalls. “After putting on our gear, we instantly fell in the snow before we could even get to the conveyor belt that takes you up the small hill to the lessons. Children were stepping on us as we slipped and fell all over.”

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
29
The End

The bride and groom steal a quiet moment for two as their dream wedding day comes to an end.

Bridal Bliss: Janine and Doug
Carissa Woo Photography
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