Spring Garden Romance at Green Gables Wedding Estate

The vision and vibe of this wedding day were to create a romantic spring garden party atmosphere! Green Gables Wedding Estate has an ethereal and enchanting feel, so the bride fully embraced this when it came to her vision. Overall, an intimate, colorful, and romantic vibe was the goal!

During Stacey and Darren's first Thanksgiving together, they visited Stacey's hometown and took a trip to Tahoe—a place he had never been but where she grew up spending time. They discovered a beautiful spot by the lake and walked out to it. A year later, during Thanksgiving week, they returned to Tahoe and walked out to that same spot, just the two of them. The day was perfect—the sun was shining, and snow covered the ground by the lake—and it was there that Darren proposed. Afterward, they met up with Stacey's family to celebrate the moment!

Stacey found her dream wedding dress at Lovely Bride in San Diego, a breathtaking design by Made With Love Bridal. The gown featured stunning textured floral lace paired with delicate Chantilly lace, creating a truly unforgettable look. It was as if the dress had been made just for her.

Stacey chose Show Me Your Mumu for her bridesmaid dresses. Each of her bridesmaids wore a different style, varying in length and shape! It was the perfect way to mix and match while still being uniform for this romantic garden party!

For the groomsmen's attire, Stacey wanted them and Darren to match suits and ties- but have her groom be the only one with a vest to make him stand out a little more. A pop of color was added by incorporating their garden-picked florals into the boutonnières.

Dinner was served family style, a choice the couple loved as it encouraged mingling among guests at the tables. For their signature cocktails, they added a personal touch with drinks named after each of them and one inspired by Long Beach, the city where they first met. Guests enjoyed "The Dirty Darren," the "Stawc-Arita," and the "Old Fashioned LBC."

For the florals, Stacey envisioned a vibrant array of in-season blooms, steering away from traditional white to create a bold statement. She embraced bright, colorful flowers to bring her vision to life. Accent bud vases were placed on tables and throughout the venue, perfectly capturing the enchanting garden party atmosphere she desired.

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple delighted their guests with churros and ice cream! Throughout the reception, everyone could visit the churro cart and customize their desserts with a variety of delicious toppings. From chocolate truffle ganache and fresh strawberries topping to La Lechera Crema, the dessert bar offered a little something for everyone.

The groom's mother officiated their wedding ceremony, adding a deeply personal touch to their special day. Stacey and Darren chose meaningful Bible verses for her to incorporate, including James 1:19-20. They also carefully selected ceremony music that held personal significance, with Darren choosing "With You I Am" by Cody Johnson and Stacey selecting "Never Til Now" by Ashley Cooke. The dance floor was packed from start to finish, just as the bride and groom had hoped. Their DJ kept the energy high, ensuring everyone joined in the celebration—including both of their 90-year-old grandmothers! At one memorable moment, the DJ played "Sweet Caroline," and Stacey and Darren danced with the groom's grandmother, Caroline. Almost immediately after, "Stacey's Mom" came on, prompting the entire dance floor to erupt with cheers and laughter!