How to Plan a Chic Civil Wedding With Bianca Ella Booth

A pale pink Chanel suit, a corseted crushed velvet dress, or a long, white Grecian-style cut-out gown—sleek, sensual, and effortlessly poised. Model and creator Bianca Ella Booth’s understated yet refined style – often punctuated by oversized dark sunglasses framing her feline features – was already well-defined, and for her chic civil wedding look, she leaned into that signature ease, striking a balance between elegance and simplicity.

The Comfort of Home, in a ’90s-Inspired Look

For her own backyard ceremony in California, Bianca chose an elegant white button-up shirt dress, complemented by a brimmed hat, her hair worn down, and paired with a black waist belt and classic slingbacks. It’s a look that feels timeless and unfussy — proof that true style comes from knowing what feels right for you personally. She laughs when she hears me complimenting her look. “Thank you so much – that’s lovely to hear, especially considering I forgot to brush my hair! Who gets married and forgets to brush their hair?”

Despite the spontaneity, Bianca had a clear vision. “I had two images in my head – one of Carolyn Bessette in a Calvin Klein dress in the 1990s, and the other of Bianca Jagger wearing a gorgeous hat that I knew would pull everything together,” she shares. “I found a dress by Eterne that was as close as possible to that CK style, wore a hat by Gigi Burris, vintage Dolce & Gabbana heels, and a belt from Khaite.” It’s an effortlessly iconic look — one we’ll be taking cues from any day.

Backyard Ceremony, Château Cocktails

It was a quick turnaround for Bianca and her now-husband, Robbie, with little time to dwell on the details – yet somehow, it all fell seamlessly into place. Naturally, the less-is-more approach extended beyond her bridal look to the way Bianca organized and hosted her ceremony. “I had less than a week to pull it together. We were set to get married at the Beverly Hills courthouse but decided, last minute, we’d rather do it in our backyard,” she shares.

For the couple, home felt like the most natural choice. “We’re both such homebodies, and we wanted it to be relaxed. We had always planned on having our big wedding in Europe after this, so we just wanted it to feel easy,” she explains. Later, the celebration moved to Château Marmont, an iconic Hollywood landmark known for its old-world glamour, storied history, and intimate, shadowy corners. What could have been a stressful scramble became a fast-paced, instinct-driven process. “It was a whirlwind, and you’d assume it would be stressful, but I was running on pure adrenaline. Any ideas that couldn’t come to fruition quickly were just as quickly left behind – I was already chasing the next option,” she says.

Keep It Minimal, Let Nature Do the Rest

Bianca’s vision was clear: a minimalist civil ceremony that still felt quietly sophisticated. In their lush garden, the natural surroundings echoed that philosophy and led the narrative; a scalloped ivory parasol entwined with cascading blooms in soft shades of white and cream — velvety roses, cloud – like hydrangeas, and delicate sprigs of greenery. It felt less like a structured arrangement and more like nature finding its way, vines and petals curving around the frame as though they had always belonged there.

Later, the gathering moved indoors, where natural wine and conversation flowed within the warm, mid-century modern aesthetic of their home.

When the Right People Are There, Everything Falls Into Place

She reminisces, “It was such an intimate celebration that the experience, to me, felt so deeply personal. Knowing that everyone there loved us both made it feel so safe and special.”

It’s a day she holds close, marked by joy and genuine connection. “I mean, I’ll always cherish every second of that day — it was just full of big smiles and so much laughter with our nearest and dearest,” she recalls. “But the highlight definitely was my mum turning up an hour before. Robbie had flown her out from Australia to surprise me, and I was just so happy! The only feeling of stress I was having was that she wouldn’t get to be there, so her walking through the door just made my day before it had even started.”

She didn’t really feel like she was faced with too many challenges. “Other than trying to get our closest friends and family to LA, we didn’t really face any challenges that I can recall. The most important thing to us was having those we love most beside us — most of whom are spread across the US, with all of my family in Australia. Everyone came through for us, and it meant the world. Those that couldn’t, we completely understood — the timing was absolutely wild.”

“It was such an intimate celebration that the experience, to me, felt so deeply personal. Knowing that everyone there loved us both made it feel so safe and special.”

Start with the Mood, Stay True to You

When it comes to planning a chic civil ceremony, Bianca believes it’s all about thoughtful intention and keeping the experience personal.

“I would start with a vision board — I love Pinterest, so that was the first step for me when pulling together the mood. It really helps to see the style and aesthetic come together visually,” she shares.

For her, timelessness is key. “I’d always say go with a style that you won’t look back on 10 years from now and think, ‘what was I thinking?’ Stay authentically true to yourself.”

It’s advice rooted not just in aesthetics, but in sentimentality — something she reflects on in hindsight. “Just the other night, I had the thought of, oh wow, if we ever sell our home, where we’ve made all these special memories, we won’t ever be able to come back—and that was a really sad thought. In 20 years from now, it would be nice to be able to go back to the place where you got married and reminisce. I’d say consider that when planning your civil ceremony — it was a thought that didn’t cross either of our minds at the time.”

Forget the Script – The Best Moments Happen Instinctively

The couple’s easygoing, instinct-led approach was mirrored in their engagement too — imperfect in the most beautiful way. Thinking back, she laughs: “We got engaged in Big Sur. I was completely entranced by the view, gazing out at the horizon. When I turned around, he was on one knee with the most beautiful ring. It took my breath away — and seemingly also my memories! I think I went into shock because I honestly can’t remember anything that was said. The only thing that rushed through my mind was, ‘I’m wearing UGG boots!’”

The memory still has her grinning. “He’d even planned for a photographer to be hiding somewhere in the bushes, but she was late and missed the shot — which was hilarious. Afterwards, we went to this headland where he’d set up candles, throws, pillows, platters of food, and wine. That part I’ll never forget. We were both so happy, we stayed there for hours.”

Reflecting on their bond: “We’ve always had a solid connection, starting as friends first. There’s a real respect between us, and the love has only grown stronger over the years. We’re always laughing — if not together, then at each other — and that’s good for the soul too.”