On a day like today, when the East Coast is about to get blasted with a few feet of snow, it makes me extra reminiscent of my home state. You know that place where the sun is shining 24/7? Where an adorable couple can say “I Do” on a private ranch surrounded by beautiful fields and not a Nor’easter in sight? Yep, that’s California for you. A place where 75 degrees is the norm and mega-talents like Sweet Emilia Jane and Maggie LePley of Anna LePley Taylor can transform a rustic homestead into a knockout celebration ending under a sea of twinkle lights. It’s pure magic and all captured so beautifully by Ken Kienow. See every last bit of it right here.
From the Bride… In the weeks following the wedding, I’ve been asked by friends and acquaintances how the wedding went. It is not as simple of a question as I might have thought; how do you distill a year of planning, last week of craziness, and the day and evening of the wedding into one or two concise yet genuine sentences? The response I’ve settled on and I think best describes my experience is that if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t; it was absolutely perfect the way it was and I would not change a single thing.
Going for a run the morning of the wedding day, I tried to clear my head and prepare for a nonstop adventure. Having never been married, I really didn’t know what to expect. With two hundred guests, a quarter of whom were already arriving to camp at the ranch for the weekend, I knew there wouldn’t be much time to think, so the morning run was key in remaining calm and remembering that the point of all of this is to enjoy the day. And I did, thanks to a wonderful husband, great friends (who considered it to be their wedding as well), and a crew of fantastic vendors. Sweet Emilia Jane handled the wedding coordination and design, which was so worth it considering I am not the most organized or event-planning-oriented person. Her design touches like the died fabric flags along the driveway and Moroccan lanterns hanging from the patio arbor were perfect. Maggie the florist took my vague and clueless (lack of) direction and created stunning arrangements, and Ken the photographer took my breath away with the images he captured.
My favorite moments included walking out to the ceremony site with my dad to our guitar player’s version of Iron & Wine’s “Trapeze Swinger” which he did beautifully, and seeing all my family and friends looking so happy for me. It really brought it home how our social groups and family really are on our side, and love to share in life’s celebrations. The stolen moments away from the party with Sean, my husband, during photos and dinner to revel in being newly married were highlights as well. And the dancing! My parents were skeptical about having a Samba band, saying people like to hear cover bands at weddings, but our guests loved the lively and highly energetic music. It was a beautiful event, and I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to those who made it possible.
Wedding Photography: Ken Kienow Wedding Photography / Venue: Private Residence in Los Alamos, California / Wedding Coordination + Design: Sweet Emilia Jane / Floral Design: Maggie LePley of Anna LePley Taylor / Catering: Duo Catering & Events / Wedding Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes / Music: John Sherry (ceremony, drinks & dinner) / Band: SambaDa / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Hair & Makeup: Symmetry Beauty by Nyrie
