Elevated Garden Elegance With Intimate Refinement and Natural Beauty

Melissa Hammam
September 5, 2023
Categories: Real Weddings, Romantic, Seasonal Wedding Trend, Spring, The Blog

[section title=”The Planning”]

[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The wedding colors were peach, cinnamon, gold, blush, and ivory.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The design direction was an elevated garden party. The bride and groom wanted an intimate feel but refined. We opted for warm spring tones of peach and blush and then accented it with some darker rust/cinnamon type tones. We added in floral prints (reminiscent of the maid of honor’s dress and Emily’s wedding down) and brought in warm metallics of gold in the flatware and glassware. The property already had so much natural beauty with all of the foliage everywhere that we just wanted to enhance the space so everything worked in harmony.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]We had a surprise beach proposal that involved help from our family and friends involving fake beach day plans, photoshopped airplane tickets from my parents, and more. I had thought that we were going to the beach with Al’s best friend and goddaughter, and instead of putting suntan lotion on me while my back was turned, he started proposing and I saw him on one knee. Al even snuck in a few lines from The Office, his favorite show. My family all flew in from the East Coast to surprise us at lunch at Shutters at the Beach and then his family hosted a dinner for all of us.[/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]

[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

The wedding gown was designed by Amsale.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaid dresses were designed by Jenny Yoo.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groomsman attire was FitWel Custom Clothes.

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]

[field title=”Food & Drink”]

Before the ceremony, we had fresh lemonade from their working lemon grove. We served mini grilled cheese during cocktail hour (the bride’s favorite food) and had specialty cocktails of a Gold Rush and Aperol Spritz. Guests dined outdoors for dinner and enjoyed Sundried Tomato Pesto Chicken and Filet Mignon.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The escort wall was a fun, interactive display and a nod to the couple’s Chinese heritage. Guests found out their table assignment by opening up a fortune cookie with their name on it. Heavenly Blooms created gorgeous centerpieces of garden roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, queen anne’s lace, and larkspur, to name a few. The illusion arch for the ceremony had so much depth and really complimented the brick path. The head table had its own special moment with wicker pendants hanging overhead, covered in greenery and specialty blush-colored glassware with a place card dangling from the glass on vellum paper. The long tables had a table runner with a geometric embroidered pattern to add some texture to the table.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]In lieu of serving cake, the couple opted for an ice cream and pie bar with triple berry, pecan, and apple pie. Alex’s favorite dessert is pie! [/field]

[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

A string quartet played during the ceremony, and Emily especially loved the moment right before she walked down the aisle when she was able to have some quiet, alone time with her dad. They were married by the pastor from their home church who made the ceremony really meaningful and sweet (weaving in what the couple had written to him about what they love about each other). Emily and Alex’s family and community is really important to them, so they had mentioned them all in a Prayers of the Faithful during the ceremony.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The live band! They were a hit the whole night and really helped kick off the night of dancing.[/field]

[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The layout of the venue is really special. Emily and Alex chose Quail Ranch not only for the beautiful garden setting but also how the venue felt progressive, in the sense that you kept on moving from the ceremony, to cocktail hour in front of the house, to reception in the back of the property. Everything had it’s own designated area and new potential to “wow” the guests.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]The menus were wrapped around the napkins and secured with a peach silk ribbon (in case of a windy day!). Inside the menu was a thank you note to guests in addition to the evening’s food selections. [/field]

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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