Promise Kept in Storybook Style

Sandra Baker, the costume designer of television shows such as “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Diff’rent Strokes,” recalls that her daughter, at 13, wrote a note to her teen-age neighbor. It said: “I’m going to marry you someday.”

Last Saturday, 26-year-old Thais Antoinette Baker kept her promise. She was wed to Steven Michael Bren--owner of a Newport Beach car dealership and son of Orange County billionaire Donald Bren (chairman and primary owner of the Irvine Co.)--in a Santa Barbara storybook ceremony.

It was a fashion happening. Along with the expected hats (Sandra Baker wore a huge blue straw to complement her blue-and-white Carolyne Roehm dress), beautiful silk prints, strands of pearls, glamorous short skirts and splendid high heels, there were some surprises: Many younger guests wore black, as did “The Golden Girls” star Bea Arthur. And several females felt that pants were appropriate for the occasion.

The flower girl came close to stealing the show when she appeared in a dream dress made from linen- and lace-heirloom fabrics. But the tall, blond, very California bride was hard to beat in an off-the-shoulder peau de soie gown, created with a number of her requested changes by Frank Masandrea for the Diamond Collection. Her five bridesmaids wore blush pink silk taffeta dresses that she designed with shoulder and back details to echo her gown.

The bridegoom, groomsmen and Bayeux Bliss Baker, father of the bride, were clad in black tuxedos; while Donald Bren wore a svelte suit that emphasized his tall, lean frame.

There were a number of blue blazers in attendance, including the one worn by Newport Beach retailer par excellence Amen Wardy. Actor-producer Anthony Herrera stood out in his “Great Gatsby”-style white suit. And champion race-car driver Danny Sullivan looked debonair in a slightly oversize, broad-shoulder suit accented with a riveting, but tasteful, fuchsia print tie.