AUGUST 7th, 2022
For Aly and Mark, their wedding day represented a new chapter of their growing love for one another. As they began to plan, they knew they wanted their special day to flow naturally from start to finish, and they wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere for their family and friends to enjoy. Leaning into a bohemian style, they chose a color palette of soft, earthy neutrals along with light pastel, sage green, and rose accents. Since they both love music (Mark is a drummer in popular indie folk band, Lord Huron), they knew they wanted to make music a big part of the day by including a live band.
Their proposal story begins during a romantic getaway weekend in Carmel Valley. As Aly and Mark were enjoying a bottle of wine on the balcony of their hotel room, Mark told Aly he had a surprise for her. As he pulled out his iPad, he told her he’d found their very first text conversation. They read it aloud together, and then while standing outside to look at the stars, Mark got down on one knee and asked Aly to marry him.
FIRST LOOK
The ladies began the day with morning yoga out on the grass, a moment of mindfulness that allowed them to set good intentions for the beautiful day ahead. After getting ready with her bridesmaids and snapping a few bridal shots, Aly met Mark in the hills behind Higuera Ranch for a joyous first look. After a few moments together, they snapped a few couple's photos in the sun-soaked fields before returning for the ceremony.
CEREMONY
At the ceremony site, an array of flowers with earthy tones, lavender, and light rose (a personalized arrangement by Fluid Bloom) spilled abundantly across the tree trunk as a romantic backdrop. There, in the shade of a sprawling Higuera tree surrounded by lush vineyards, Aly and Mark exchanged their vows in the presence of their family and friends and walked down the aisle for the very first time as husband and wife.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Cocktail hour provided an opportunity for guests to mingle and enjoy the warm summer afternoon against a backdrop of live music. Copper and Crystal provided bar services, offering a personalized assortment of wine, beer, and spirits.
THE RECEPTION
For the seated reception, the table settings were kept simple and minimal, featuring bronze silverware, tinted goblets, linen napkins decorated with a sprig of rosemary, and a personalized acrylic name card. The catered dinner, provided by Old SLO BBQ, was followed by toasts and a personal thank-you from the bride and groom to all their guests.
DESSERT TABLE
Since Aly and Mark both love pie, we naturally went with a pie bar instead of a cutting cake. All the pies were handmade with love from Bless Your Heart Bakery (and they happened to be gluten-free, too!). We rented vintage pie pans from Embellish Vintage Rentals to make the pies look like they came straight from the oven.
RECEPTION
The newlyweds wanted the interior of the barn, which would serve as the dance floor and lounge, to be transformed into a "saloon dive bar," so I set out to find old bottles and vintage mismatched furniture to set the mood. Paired alongside funky antique rugs, lots of twinkle lights and candles, and a unique arrangement of ornate hanging lanterns, the area surrounding the dance floor was inviting and eclectic.
The live band was, of course, the centerpiece of the room! We used a large rug for a stage and a curtain of twinkle lights to frame the backdrop. It was so much fun to see all the guests loving the upbeat music and getting out on the dance floor to celebrate!
THE DREAM TEAM
It was such a blast putting Aly and Mark's special day together. I wish them a lifetime of happiness! I couldn't have created their special day without the help of all the incredible vendors involved...
VENUE: @higueraranch
PHOTO: @cameroningalls
FLORAL: @fluidbloom
MAKEUP: @thequeensbees
RENTALS: @allaboutevents
BOUTIQUE RENTALS: @embellishvintagerentals
DRESS: @lovelybride @ruedeseinebridal
YOGA: @the.rooted.yogi
CATERING: @oldslobbq
DESSERT: @bless_your_heart_bakery
MUSIC: @bretthuntermusic, @coolhairlive, @partyproperproductions
BAR: @copperandcrystal
SHUTTLE: @slosaferide
xo,
Sam
Blog Post by Olivia Cook