Backyard California Wedding from Pictilio
You have to admire a couple that can dodge family pressure for fourteen years before they tie the knot. My husband and I managed to make it seven years, so we know all to well. But I can assure you, friends and family of this twosome will agree that fourteen years in the making was so worth the wait. Photographed by Pictilio, this backyard affair is both a beautiful celebration of love and a homage to the Bride's mother who passed away. And all of that is executed with a flair for rustic simplicity. Think fresh blooms by Twig and Petals and lavender sprigs at each place setting. + outdoor merriment and a Bride in the most gorgeous lace. See all of that and so much more right here in the full gallery.
From the Bride...My husband Michael and I have been together for 14 years, so our wedding day was a day that people, quite honestly, thought would never happen. Well, that is, everyone except my husband and I, and my beautiful amazing mother. Mike and I were high school sweethearts and definitely had our share of ups and downs and a lot of growing up to do. We had both changed so much since the Fall day we first met at Apex High School. I always teased my friends that it was really like I had dated 10 different people in the 14 years we had been together. Though many things have changed over the years, there is one thing that remained constant – we are crazy about each other. It is one of those things that you can’t explain. We butt heads…a lot and are opposites on so many different levels. But there has always been something you can’t explain. That spark between us! This spark is what still gets us excited for our weekend dates (even though we see each other every day of the week) – a spark that has just never died. There is something my mother used to say to me that always stuck. “You two are just crazy about each other.” You see, my mother, unlike Mike and I, was someone who lived 100% with her heart. She knew in this world, there are just some things you can’t change, and for Mike and I, it was that we were crazy about each other. Period. We were stuck.
Planning our wedding was both wonderful and bittersweet at the same time. My mother, who was both Mike and I’s favorite person in the world, passed away 2 years ago. When we started planning our wedding we knew that we wanted it to be a personal service that celebrated “us," but one that also celebrated my mother and all the things that she wanted for Mike and I as a couple. We wanted the event to have that “home” feel of the Southern town where we grew up and for us to have my mother close in every way possible. So many details I went crazy over, trying to get the feeling of "home" on our big day. From the sweet tea (house wine of the south) to the music and the rustic, airy decorations. To the warmth of a small but close group of our favorite people. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted! It was all “heart” and that made it perfect.
My favorite moments included walking down the Redwood lined path to Lia Rose’s beautiful acoustic rendition of Miranda Lambert's “Making Plans." Seeing my best friend waiting for me at the end of the aisle. The amazing personalized service by our close friend and minister. My aunt's reading of the Velveteen Rabbit. Our minister’s surprising reference to WWJD - what would Joyce (my mom) do. Something Mike and I always say. Seeing all of my family and friends from North Carolina. Getting ready with my favorite girls in the world. Seeing my beautiful and very pregnant sister (maid of honor) slipping away with my husband for photos. Little stolen moments of love and laughter. Our corn hole boards that my husband and I painted with silhouettes of our beloved little dogs. Dinner toasts, Southern inspired comfort food, and the breathtaking flowers and the lavender! Oh the lavender!
Photography: Pictilio | Floral Design: | Lavender: Cuyama Valley Lavender | Ceremony + Reception Location: Backyard of a Private Residence in Woodside, CA | Catering: Carrie Dove Catering | Invitations: Bride + Printed by Kari Dyas | Shoes: Ollio | Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Hair: Rita Martynko | Makeup: Susan Ballard | Cake: Studio Cake | Rentals: Hartmann (chairs) + Green House Design Studio (all of the vintage glasses for the floral arrangements) + Etsy | Music: Lia Rose | Cornhole Boards: Adam+ Beth (built) and Bride + Groom (painted) | Wedding Cinematography: Rex Ballard | Bride's Makeup: Susan Ballard (susandior@gmail.com)
Planning our wedding was both wonderful and bittersweet at the same time. My mother, who was both Mike and I’s favorite person in the world, passed away 2 years ago. When we started planning our wedding we knew that we wanted it to be a personal service that celebrated “us," but one that also celebrated my mother and all the things that she wanted for Mike and I as a couple. We wanted the event to have that “home” feel of the Southern town where we grew up and for us to have my mother close in every way possible. So many details I went crazy over, trying to get the feeling of "home" on our big day. From the sweet tea (house wine of the south) to the music and the rustic, airy decorations. To the warmth of a small but close group of our favorite people. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted! It was all “heart” and that made it perfect.
My favorite moments included walking down the Redwood lined path to Lia Rose’s beautiful acoustic rendition of Miranda Lambert's “Making Plans." Seeing my best friend waiting for me at the end of the aisle. The amazing personalized service by our close friend and minister. My aunt's reading of the Velveteen Rabbit. Our minister’s surprising reference to WWJD - what would Joyce (my mom) do. Something Mike and I always say. Seeing all of my family and friends from North Carolina. Getting ready with my favorite girls in the world. Seeing my beautiful and very pregnant sister (maid of honor) slipping away with my husband for photos. Little stolen moments of love and laughter. Our corn hole boards that my husband and I painted with silhouettes of our beloved little dogs. Dinner toasts, Southern inspired comfort food, and the breathtaking flowers and the lavender! Oh the lavender!
Photography: Pictilio | Floral Design: | Lavender: Cuyama Valley Lavender | Ceremony + Reception Location: Backyard of a Private Residence in Woodside, CA | Catering: Carrie Dove Catering | Invitations: Bride + Printed by Kari Dyas | Shoes: Ollio | Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Hair: Rita Martynko | Makeup: Susan Ballard | Cake: Studio Cake | Rentals: Hartmann (chairs) + Green House Design Studio (all of the vintage glasses for the floral arrangements) + Etsy | Music: Lia Rose | Cornhole Boards: Adam+ Beth (built) and Bride + Groom (painted) | Wedding Cinematography: Rex Ballard | Bride's Makeup: Susan Ballard (susandior@gmail.com)