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Real Weddings:

Kate and Danny’s wedding at Collins Ranch

featuring Sarah Ellefson Photography

Kate and Danny’s California wedding reception was celebrated at Collins Ranch, a private estate on the west side of Ojai. The venue had all the elements of Ojai that Kate grew up loving including “the weaving road through golden fields leading up to the barn and mountainside landscape with massive boulders mounted throughout.” The couple enlisted the brides sister Hilary to plan the event and Gallup & Stribling to create the vibrant autumn-hued florals. Kate had this to say about the reception “the barn opened up on every side so you felt like you were dining in nature but with the comfort of a nice seat and well dressed table!” It’s all beautiful and luck for us Sarah Ellefson Photography was on hand to capture it all.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

The whole day was so special and unbelievably stress free, which I have my generous family and sister Hilary to thank. Other than the fact that it was ‘our’ wedding (which made it the most special) what made it seem unique and different was our location we were lucky to find. We heard of Collins Ranch on the west side of Ojai through a friend who connected us with the owner. His property had all the elements of Ojai I have grown up loving. The weaving road through golden fields leading up to the barn and mountainside landscape with massive boulders mounted throughout. His barn type warehouse opened up on every side so you felt like you were dining in nature but with the comfort of a nice seat and well dressed table! The whole venue was something so familiar and dear to me but that I had never really seen as a wedding venue, so it felt unique and personal at the same time.

Danny’s family and many of our guests were flying in from out of state and a good number of them had never seen California before. From our ceremony at San Buenaventura Mission with the ocean breeze flowing through the tropical gardens, to the golden Chaparral mountain side of Collins Ranch, we could share what we love about California with all of them.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

I had no idea what type of dress I wanted which it made it both fun and frustrating. Fun because I was open to any style, frustrating because there were too many styles! After trying on many gowns and visiting quite a few shops my mom and I finally went down to Pasadena to visit Lovely Bride, where I found my dress! There so many beautiful gowns that were in what i had narrowed down to be what I was looking for, long sleeve with bold lace. I found exactly that in the North Gown by Lovers Society. The design and texture of the lace was so unique from what I had seen, and I knew it was my dress! I also don’t think my mom would have let me leave without it, she bawled when I came out it in!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

I am from a family of gifted artists and I wanted them to be a have a hand in the decor.  One of my beautiful sisters, Monica, painted an abstract map view of the coast and mountain range that guests would be driving on from ceremony to reception. Guest loved it and I have it framed in my apartment now! My brother John sketched out a paint by numbers of the mission where the ceremony took place, and guests could pick up a paint brush and add to it while enjoying their cocktails. I am always in awe of their talent and was happy to show them off!

What was the most memorable part of the day?

It is hard to pick one moment that was most memorable because really the whole day felt like a dream. However, one that sticks out among others would have to be after the speeches took place, my brother, sister and I sang one of our favorite folk songs for our parents (and guests). We have always sang together with my brother on the guitar and since I would be moving to Virginia immediately after the wedding, I wanted to give my parents one last show of us singing together! I’ll always remember that moment.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met each other in college sophomore year 2014 at Franciscan University, in Steubenville Ohio. We shared a lot of the same friend groups and happened to always be in the same social setting, all the while having deeper interest in one another (but never showing it!). End of senior year, Danny finally asked me out for our first date, and it didn’t take long for us to realize we wanted to continue what we started. Soon after dating we graduated and moved to opposite ends of the country (VA and CA) and thus began our journey of FaceTime and expensive flights to spend short visits, sometimes not even a full 48 hours. Again, it didn’t take long for us discover that we wanted to be with one another for the rest our lives; some might call it falling in love! To make this happen Danny and my sister (thanks Hilary!) planned a surprise visit and flew across the country to get on one knee, however the surprise was ruined by me curiously checking his location to figure out why my messages weren’t being delivered during his four hour flight! When I saw he was at LAX, I knew what this meant! He met me at my favorite winery and put some sparkle on my left hand!

Photography: Sarah Ellefson Photography // Planning + Coordination: Hilary Loughman // Florals: Gallup & Stribling // Venue: Ventura Mission + Collins Ranch (Private Estate) Ojai CA // Dress: Lovers Society from Lovely Bride // HMU: Hey Beautiful // DJ: DJ Mike Bruel // Rentals: Spark Creative Events / Otis & Pearl // Catering: DJ’s California Catering

 

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Real Weddings:

Emilie and Steve’s wedding at Parque at Ridley Creek

featuring Emily Wren Photography

Is there anything more delightful than realizing Dahlia season is upon us!? Emilie and Steve’s fall nuptials at Philadelphia’s Parque at Ridley Creek, highlight the much-loved bloom and all of it’s late-summer glory. The couple stated their vows in The-Secret-Garden-esque courtyard on the estate grounds followed by a celebration at the historic mansion. Dahlia-centric florals in a palette of dusty pinks, light peach, deep merlot and barely-there-blush are by Love n Fresh Flowers with coordinating by Peachtree Catering. The couple enlisted Emily Wren Photography to capture their day and you can see it all in these lovely images.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

Our venue made our wedding so special! Parque at Ridley Creek State Park was our dream venue. The Hunting Hill Mansion is an old stone mansion that once belonged to a family as their foxhunting vacation home. The mansion is surrounded by beautiful gardens and scenery, which made our outdoor ceremony so magical! It is set in the middle of a beautiful state park outside of Philadelphia. Parque was the perfect venue for us not only because of its beauty, but because we are such outdoorsy people. We love hiking all over the world and just being in nature. Starting our future at Parque was just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

My “dress” is actually a 3-piece from BHLDN. It is a skirt, corset, and lace topper. After looking at dresses at multiple bridal shops, I didn’t find any that I loved until I went to BHLDN. BHLDN had the romantic, less-formal style I was going for. I originally wasn’t looking for a 3-piece, but my mom showed me a photo of what it looked like online and I was in love! The 3-piece was great because you can buy each piece in your size, which is a great feature when you’re petite. I still needed alterations, but not many!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

A special part of our wedding was that we read our own vows. Steve was 100% set on doing this from the start, but I was a little nervous for it especially because I despise public speaking. Writing our own vows definitely took some extra thought, but it made the ceremony so special. Our guests gave us great feedback and really enjoyed that our ceremony had such a personal touch. Another special touch was the gorgeous flowers we had from Love n’ Fresh Flowers. Jennie grows all of her flowers herself on her flower farm in Philadelphia. It is so cool that we were able to support a local farmer! The flowers and decor really brought our venue to another level.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Our first look was such a memorable moment for us! It was a moment we got to spend alone before we tied the knot and before the craziness of the wedding would begin.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Steve and I met in a bar over 5 years ago. I picked him up! It actually took approaching him twice for the sparks to fly. After that night we were inseparable. Steve and I were vacationing in Kauai, Hawaii when he proposed. We were in the middle of a day-long hike on the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast. It was one of the most jaw-dropping gorgeous hikes of our lives. We hiked to a private beach and then up to a waterfall that we got to swim under. Steve pulled me off the trail for a water break, then proceeded to get on one knee. He couldn’t have picked a better place to propose!

Photography: Emily Wren Photography // Coordinator: Bridget Kelly Peachtree Catering // Florist: Jennie Love Love n Fresh Flowers // Venue: Parque at Ridley Creek // Hair: Taylor McGivney // Makeup: Nicck Townsend // Dress: Catherine Deane / Watters // Caterer: Peachtree Catering // Band/DJ: Nick Diguilo White Label DJs // Transportation: Ace Limousine and Transport

 

Real Weddings:

Jenna and Michael’s Chesapeake Bay Wedding

Jenna and Michael sought after “a non-traditional wedding venue that reflected our love for the outdoors and the water.” They found the perfect place in Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum—with it’s elegant beauty overlooking the Miles River. Susan Wilson Designs introduced the day with a custom watercolor illustrated invitation suite.  A palette of neutrals and dusty blush florals by Seaberry Farms perfectly complimented the bright blue sky and patterned blue tablecloths in the white tent reception while the bride was a vision of restrained elegance in a Modern Trousseau gown. See all the details—and gorgeous scenery—in these images captured by Ashley Cox Photography.

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What made the wedding special and unique? 

The venue! My husband and I were looking for a non-traditional wedding venue that reflected our love for the outdoors and the water. Several of Mike’s and my first dates were out sailing; so finding a venue that honored the tradition of sailing seemed like a great fit. When we first visited the quaint waterfront town of St. Michaels, Maryland, we knew immediately that it was a perfect town for our intimate wedding. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum set the tone for our picturesque celebration with its natural yet elegant beauty overlooking the Miles River. Our outdoor ceremony, officiated by my brother, preceded a sunset cocktail hour in a barn filled with antique sailboats illuminated by string lights and lanterns. Following the cocktail hour, celebrations continued just a few steps away under a tent set up on Navy Point. Our friends and family danced the night away as boats sailed from the harbor. We will forever treasure our special day with family and friends and could not imagine a more fitting place to say our vows.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

Shopping for my wedding dress was a very special experience for me. Two sisters from my hometown opened the most charming and unique boutique bridal shop called Harbor Bridal. Hoping I would find my dress there, my mom and sister and I made an appointment. I tried on several dresses but kept going back to one of the first dresses I tried on. A low-back Modern Trousseau gown. It was simple and elegant.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

Early on in the planning phase my husband and I discussed incorporating our immediate family in special ways. We decided to ask my brother to officiate the wedding, and I asked my sister to be my maid of honor. We asked both of our moms to read a “Hands” poem during the ceremony. We also embraced the “blessing of the rings” tradition. We tied our wedding bands together and they were passed to each and every guest throughout the ceremony. Before passing the rings to the next person, they were infused with best wishes. During the cocktail hour, we had a table set up with pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days! It was a nice way to celebrate our history and the strong marriages in our families.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

It’s impossible to pick just one moment. I would have to say the moment I heard the acoustic guitar start to play “Claire de Lune” and my mom and dad grabbed each arm and slowly walked me down the aisle. I remember so vividly locking eyes with my husband-to-be and feeling overcome with love and excitement. It was an incredible feeling to stand in front of our closest friends and family, with my sister by my side, as my brother officiated a heartfelt ceremony that would officially start our marriage.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Michael and I met in March 2014 through a mutual friend who was in town visiting from Ohio. Mike proposed on March 24, 2017 in the most romantic, private, thoughtful way, with a ring that has been in his family for over 160 years. After he popped the question in our apartment and we took a few minutes to celebrate the moment just the two of us, we hopped in a cab and to my surprise my whole family, his family, and my closest two girlfriends were waiting at a restaurant downtown ready to celebrate! He organized a surprise brunch the next day so both of our families could spend some quality time getting to know one another. It was a truly amazing weekend! The one minor detail that is worth noting is that when he got down on one knee, I was so emotionally overcome that I got a bloody nose (for the first time in my life), Putting a special twist on the most romantic moment of my life.

 

Jenna & Michael from Cecile Storm on Vimeo.

Photography: Ashley Cox Photography // Florals: Seaberry Farms // Custom Wedding Suite and Paper Goods: Susan Wilson Designs // Venue: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum // Videographer: Cecile Storm Pictures // Wedding Gown: Modern Trousseau // Bridal Boutique: Harbor Bridal // Catering: Gourmet By The Bay // Ceremony: Swoon Union Ceremonies // Band: Men or Myth // Groom’s Suit: Diplomat Outfitters // Groom’s Shoes: Baudoin and Lange

 

Real Weddings:

Rebecca and Wilian’s Wedding at Brasswood Cellars

photography by Apollo Fotografie

Rebecca and Wilian’s Napa Valley wedding took lace at Brasswood Cellars. Dusty pastels and velvet textures gave the winter nuptials a moody vibe while romantic floral arrangements, centerpieces, backdrops, and bouquets by Tango & Foxtrot mixed whites and greens with blush, and deep burgundy to brighten and complimented the dark navy and gold of the details. The highlight of the event was the emotional ceremony—the couple had enlisted Lauren Snead to officiate and personalize their ceremony including Rebecca’s to both Wilian and also to his daughter Sophia. Not a dry eye in the place and Apollo Fotografie was on hand to capture it all.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

Our wedding was winter elegance at a winery with a moody color palette and velvet textures. We wanted our wedding to be an intimate celebration, under 40 guests, with our closest friends and family. We wanted to celebrate real, honest love, making our guests feel like part of our celebration. We also wanted our Brasswood Cellars wedding photos to be classic and romantic so we felt this venue would be a perfect match.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

It felt like I had an endless search for a wedding dress. I tried on dresses at more than a dozen bridal stores. As a winter wedding, I knew I wanted a long sleeve dress, which is hard to find in Los Angeles. I finally found the dress at Lovella Bridal. I made alterations to the dress (the sleeve lace coming down on my hand, cinched-in waist, and more lace applique on the shoulders) to make it my own. Wilian knew he wanted either a Tom Ford or John Varvatos tuxedo. Together, we found a classic, elegant, chic black John Varvatos tux.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

Our floral arrangements, centerpieces, backdrops, and bouquets mixed winter whites and greens with blush, and deep burgundy. They brightened and complimented the dark navy and gold.  We also had an electric violin duo, Chris and Laurann. They played the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner. They played our favorite songs as a violin duo with tracks in the background. They played Imagine Dragons, Lana Del Rey, The Postal Service, Sia, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

It was very important to us to include Wilian’s daughter, Sophia, in our ceremony and the day. I was not just marrying Wilian; I was lovingly committing to Sophia as well.  Another one of our favorite parts of the wedding was our wedding officiant, Lauren Snead. She worked with us to create a beautiful, unique-to-us wedding ceremony. It was a real and true expression of our love for each other and Sophia. The ceremony was our most anticipated and special moment from our wedding. We were both excited because it was a true expression of our love. It was unlike any other wedding ceremony. And, we were able to include Sophia. There wasn’t a dry eye as we exchanged vows, and then I said my vows to Sophia. It was a very emotional, loving and real ceremony.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met at a mutual friend’s party and literally bumped into each other. We began talking and spent the rest of the night chatting. I put up a wall at first (I was afraid of being hurt), but I soon realized that Wilian was true to his word, respectful, and truly loyal. He saw through the wall I put up, seeing that I was protecting my sweetness and kindness, so he continued to pursue me. Months after being together, Wilian asked me to marry him at Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma. He brought me outside to show me the views. Unaware what he was about to do, I tried to turn around and go back inside because the sun was too bright and hurting my eyes. I almost ruined his proposal, but he urged me on. I followed him outside, and he proposed to me. I said “yes!” without any hesitation.

Photography: Apollo Fotografie // Planner: Charmed Events Group // Florals: Tango & Foxtrot // Venue: Brasswood Cellars // Dress: Trudy’s Brides // Hair & Make up: Stylebee // Dessert: Flour & Bloom // Officiant: Lauren Snead // Event Rentals & Decor: Encore & La Tavola // Tux: John Varvatos // Videography: Apollo Fotografie // DJ: Heart Of Gold DJs // Catering: Brasswood Cellars

 

Real Weddings:

Melissa and Culen’s wedding at The Bradford

featuring A.J. Dunlap Photography

Melissa and Culen met when they were fourteen and remained friends for more than ten years before leaping into a long-distance relationship that resulted in this beautiful celebration of their love. The couple wed on the outskirts of Raleigh at The Bradford. With the help of  Cheryl-Anne Kast and Allison Morgan, the day was a vision of pinks, reds, dusty blues and hints of vintage charm–the multi-hued taper candles are a must see! Meristem Floral brings the beauty at every turn including the ceremony arbor, centerpieces and STUNNING bouquets. Stationery is by Kettle Pot Paper, calligraphy by Laced in Letters and cake by Guglhupf Bakery.  A.J. Dunlap Photography was on hand to capture all the moments and we’re thrilled to share the images with you.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

This day wasn’t just about the two of us – it was about bringing together the most important people in our lives and celebrating not only our relationship but all those who have had an impact on us. I wanted this day to truly be a celebration of love in all forms.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

THE dress was the second one I tried on! I knew exactly the designer and type of dress I wanted. It had to be something feminine and romantic, but still sexy and curve-hugging. Lana Addison, a beautiful bridal boutique in Cary, NC had just what I was looking for.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

I’ve always been very involved in music and I knew I wanted my many musically-talented friends to have a part in the wedding. My close college friend, Colin, sang and played guitar during our ceremony, and my two best friends (and bridesmaids) sang as I walked down the aisle.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The most perfect moment of the day was walking down the aisle. I felt so overwhelmed with the love and happiness expressed in the smiling faces of our friends and family. On top of this, hearing my incredibly talented best friends sing a cherished song while looking towards my amazing partner with tears in his eyes. WHAT A MOMENT!

Tied for most memorable part of the day: In his vows, Culen included a story about how on every birthday growing up, he would make the same wish when blowing out the candles – to find true love. He then said that after all those years of wishing, his dream had finally come true. Cue ALL the tears!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Culen was one of the first people I met when I moved from Ohio to North Carolina at age 14 (my maid of honor, Kiersten, was another!). I knew right away that there was something special about him. We were friends throughout high school and stayed in touch through college, but didn’t start dating until a few years after graduating. I was living in DC and he was living in NC, but I ended up asking him out while I was back in town for a long weekend. After spending the entire long weekend together (extra long due to a snow storm!), Culen insisted that I couldn’t go back to DC without agreeing to be his girlfriend. I decided to give it a shot and am so glad I did. We dated long distance for a year and then I moved back to NC to be closer to him and family. After another year and a half of dating, Culen proposed in Duke Gardens, one of my favorite spots in Durham, NC.

Photographer: A.J. Dunlap Photography // Coordinator: Cheryl-Anne Kast and Allison Morgan // Florist: Meristem Floral // Wedding Stationery Designer: Kettle Pot Paper // Venue: The Bradford // Calligrapher: Laced in Letters // Bridal Gown Shop: Lana Addison // Bridal Gown Designer: Pronovias // Hair & Makeup: Makeup Culture // Cake Artist: Guglhupf Bakery // Bridal Shoes: Ted Baker // Bridal Jewelry: Family Heirloom Jewelry // Bridesmaids Gown Shop: Jenny Yoo // Suits: Generation Tux // Transportation: Greenway Transit // DJ: Dj Rang // Caterer: Posh Nosh // Rentals: CE Rental / Greenhouse Picker Sisters  / Cottage Luxe