Southern-Style Wedding at Maravilla Gardens in Southern California
Carly and Ryan were originally set to be wed at Triunfo Creek Vineyards. But sadly, after the Malibu fires just one week before their Big Day, the couple had to search for another venue. Thankfully, they landed on the beautiful Maravilla Gardens for a day that went off without a hitch, planned by Feathered Arrow. See how it all unfolded below with Jenny Quicksall and Amari Productions.
How did you two meet?
Met at Eureka! In Irvine, CA. He was at the microbrewery for an after work happy hour and I was there because of a friend’s recommendation (I’m a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur). She said they had good coffee so I stopped there before a bible study. Ryan walked over from a couple barstools down and opened with the line “You know you’re drinking coffee at a bar, right?” The coffee actually did suck but he got my number and took me back there for our first date!! They’re much better at burgers and beer!
Fun fact: it wasn’t until after we met, that I realized we both had swiped “right” on Bumble a few weeks prior but it never amounted to anything. Guess I needed to drink a crappy cup of coffee in a bar to meet the love of my life! Ha!
Met at Eureka! In Irvine, CA. He was at the microbrewery for an after work happy hour and I was there because of a friend’s recommendation (I’m a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur). She said they had good coffee so I stopped there before a bible study. Ryan walked over from a couple barstools down and opened with the line “You know you’re drinking coffee at a bar, right?” The coffee actually did suck but he got my number and took me back there for our first date!! They’re much better at burgers and beer!
Fun fact: it wasn’t until after we met, that I realized we both had swiped “right” on Bumble a few weeks prior but it never amounted to anything. Guess I needed to drink a crappy cup of coffee in a bar to meet the love of my life! Ha!
Tell us about the proposal!
Ryan and I love, love, love traveling. We go somewhere new every season (maybe not now that we’re planning a wedding!) Victoria, Nantucket and Hawaii are a few of our favorites! Because I love Christmas, Ryan planned a December weekend trip to NYC (we have both been there with family) to see the decorations and lights. Early on in the relationship, I told Ryan that one of my favorite places in NY is Gapstow bridge in front of The Plaza Hotel in Central Park. Our first morning there, Ryan takes me to Central Park (early!) and as I’m snapping pics, he asks two passerybys to take a picture of us. He trecks through the mud and grass to stand in front of the bridge, and I follow, rolling my eyes, because I think we are inconveniencing the kind gentlemen. Ryan asks for one more picture and drops down on one knee. Turns out, the two strangers were not strangers at all- they were actually Ryan’s coworkers from his work’s New York office. Ryan pulled it off! After the proposal, we went to The Plaza for celebratory champagne before calling our friends and family. It was a special moment to ourselves.
Ryan and I love, love, love traveling. We go somewhere new every season (maybe not now that we’re planning a wedding!) Victoria, Nantucket and Hawaii are a few of our favorites! Because I love Christmas, Ryan planned a December weekend trip to NYC (we have both been there with family) to see the decorations and lights. Early on in the relationship, I told Ryan that one of my favorite places in NY is Gapstow bridge in front of The Plaza Hotel in Central Park. Our first morning there, Ryan takes me to Central Park (early!) and as I’m snapping pics, he asks two passerybys to take a picture of us. He trecks through the mud and grass to stand in front of the bridge, and I follow, rolling my eyes, because I think we are inconveniencing the kind gentlemen. Ryan asks for one more picture and drops down on one knee. Turns out, the two strangers were not strangers at all- they were actually Ryan’s coworkers from his work’s New York office. Ryan pulled it off! After the proposal, we went to The Plaza for celebratory champagne before calling our friends and family. It was a special moment to ourselves.
What are your favorite weekend activities?
We love Saturday morning walks on the Manhattan Beach Strand, donuts, traveling and binge watching Stranger Things! If we’re not on an airplane, we’re either at the beach, hiking, wine tasting, scouting out a new coffee shop or taking a Sur La Table cooking class together.
We love Saturday morning walks on the Manhattan Beach Strand, donuts, traveling and binge watching Stranger Things! If we’re not on an airplane, we’re either at the beach, hiking, wine tasting, scouting out a new coffee shop or taking a Sur La Table cooking class together.
Can you tell us something special about one another?
An introvert and former Boy Scout, Ryan grew up with a baseball always in his hands. He has since then discovered a love for golf. Last year, his New Years resolution was to go to a new city by himself every month (his brother is a pilot, so he has the buddy pass). Ryan somehow managed to fit in 12 new cities while dating Carly- impressive! He also has an amazingly dry sense of humor and is a fantastic salsa dancer.
As a lover of pineapples, Frank Sinatra, and white magnolias, I always knew I was going to have a southern themed wedding. Family is so important to both Ryan and I. He’s a total Southern Californian boy hailing from Orange County, and while I was born and raised in SoCal as well, my entire family is from and still resides in Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and even the Midwest! 35 family members flew in from 6 different states to be a part of our big day! Also, while Ryan will tell you that I’m a “Disney princess reincarnated”- that is simply not true :)- but I do know every line and lyric to Beauty and The Beast! And because of those childhood memories, it was important that my dad and I walked down the aisle to the instrumental version of “Tale as Old As Time.” I sobbed all the way down, of course. The minute I turned the corner, the flood gates opened. But I also cry during Hallmark Christmas movies and in any chick flick, for that matter. Speaking of, I really think my love for the The Notebook inspired my wedding vision, too. There is nothing more southern or more romantic than that classic love story!
An introvert and former Boy Scout, Ryan grew up with a baseball always in his hands. He has since then discovered a love for golf. Last year, his New Years resolution was to go to a new city by himself every month (his brother is a pilot, so he has the buddy pass). Ryan somehow managed to fit in 12 new cities while dating Carly- impressive! He also has an amazingly dry sense of humor and is a fantastic salsa dancer.
As a lover of pineapples, Frank Sinatra, and white magnolias, I always knew I was going to have a southern themed wedding. Family is so important to both Ryan and I. He’s a total Southern Californian boy hailing from Orange County, and while I was born and raised in SoCal as well, my entire family is from and still resides in Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and even the Midwest! 35 family members flew in from 6 different states to be a part of our big day! Also, while Ryan will tell you that I’m a “Disney princess reincarnated”- that is simply not true :)- but I do know every line and lyric to Beauty and The Beast! And because of those childhood memories, it was important that my dad and I walked down the aisle to the instrumental version of “Tale as Old As Time.” I sobbed all the way down, of course. The minute I turned the corner, the flood gates opened. But I also cry during Hallmark Christmas movies and in any chick flick, for that matter. Speaking of, I really think my love for the The Notebook inspired my wedding vision, too. There is nothing more southern or more romantic than that classic love story!
