Although she wanted a backyard wedding, Sideras didn’t have a backyard in Los Angeles for the event, as she lives in an apartment.
She first searched Vrbo and Airbnb for homes she could rent for the weekend of the wedding, but she couldn’t find a rental property that allowed for large events.
Then, she stumbled upon the Bissell House in Pasadena after hours of searching online. The venue has since closed, but it had the spacious backyard Sideras was looking for, as well as a beautiful interior.
“As soon as we got there, I could tell, ‘This is it,'” Sideras said. “The Bissell House had so many antiques and beautiful furniture, and the wallpaper and everything inside. It was like the perfect grandma shabby chic house.”
Sideras rented the house for $10,000 for three days and two nights, using it as lodging for her and Johnston’s families over the weekend. The couple also hosted their rehearsal dinner at the Bissell House, so they didn’t have to pay for an additional venue.
