Nature inspired California backyard wedding

 

For Danielle & Marcus it was having an intimate family feel to their day, modern and timeless style and LOTS of greenery that were the important factors when it came to planning their wedding. Their wedding planner Megan from FESTIVE EVENT PLANNING tells us, “The 100 person capacity ceremony venue of WAYFARER’S CHAPEL as well as the groom’s parents backyard which served as the reception space, both catered to a smaller, intimate feel – which was further highlighted through the family-style dinner service. To achieve the minimalist look we opted for a colour palette of taupes, golds, black and whites with a multitude of greenery for the tablescapes and reception details. A few favourite details — the modern, greenery-accented escort card display, vintage glassware and twine-wrapped menus at each place setting, the hand-dipped invitation suite (designed by the brother-in-law of the bride) and the bridesmaids lush bouquets. My personal favourite moment was the bride’s walk — it had just started to mist and the song she had chosen for both the processional and her walk hit the right notes at just the right time — it was magical.“

Thanks to BROOKE BOROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY for these beautiful images of their day. 

The gorgeous bride shares with us, “From the outset, Marcus and I knew we wanted to get married surrounded by nature and in a chapel, due to my spiritual background. The WAYFARER’S CHAPEL proved to be a location that encompassed all our wishes for the big day. An irreplaceable nuance of our wedding day was having the reception at Marcus’ family home in Santa Monica, California. Since we have both shared many special memories at that home over the years, it brought a special sense of intimacy we both craved. Most importantly with the wedding now over, it is so neat to have flashbacks of our wedding night whenever walking through the backyard. Lastly to have one of your best friends as your wedding planner is an ideal arrangement to say the least. Megan Macias with FESTIVE EVENT PLANNING, already knew Marcus and I personally and as a result had a sense for our taste early on. Armed with that knowledge, she took our vision and made it into reality; making our dreams come true and our lives immeasurably easier in the process. One of my favourite subtle details was to be able to have my late grandmother’s rosary wrapped around my bouquet. She carried her rosary everywhere with her and to have it and her spirit with me on our wedding day simply meant the world. Secondly, when Marcus and I were planning some of the details, there were two parts of our wedding we wanted to go all out on; the first being food and second being music. Being health conscious eaters and passionate about seasonal, locally grown food, Whoa Nelly was instantly the ultimate caterer. Their spare ribs were the talk of the evening, so much so even we managed to eat seconds. Lastly, another favourite detail was the music by Dart DJs. We both knew we wanted music that would get everyone grooving on the dance floor, and Dart DJs delivered. From David Bowie, to Prince, and the BeeGees to Daft Punk, this bride remained on the dance floor from the beginning to the end.“

HOW DID YOU MEET? Marcus and I met at the last place you would think to meet someone, a funeral. He was friends with my neighbour at the time and decided to catch a ride from us. Part of the ceremony was outdoors, and I was in heels and kept getting my heels stuck in the grass. For some reason, I felt comfortable enough to ask him if I could use him as a shoulder rest, which is very unlike me to be so forward with a stranger. He thought it was hilarious and said “of course!” We continued to talk nearly every day ever since.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: It was a beautiful Monday afternoon in the beginning of February. I had been studying all day in our apartment, and he had just gotten home from work. He asked nonchalantly “Hey, want to take a break, get out of the house and go on a hike up to the cross?” I said, “yes! That sounds amazing!” Little did I know, my husband who had just been promoted the week prior, had his intern armed with a camera (someone I would not recognise) hike up the same hill in order to set up a wireless speaker and position himself off in the distance to take photos. As we began the hike, I realise now how nervous Marcus must have been because my normally exuberant husband hardly uttered a peep the entire way up the hill. But at the time I didn’t suspect a thing, I mean who proposes on a random Monday afternoon? Once we reached the top I proceeded with my normal routine taking in the familiar view when the lyrics to Coldplay’s “Midnight” start emanating from god knows where. And when I wheel around to investigate, there he is on one knee, ring in hand. The suddenness left me so speechless I handed him the wrong hand as I said yes which made for a bit of an awkward moment when he had to tell me but I was too happy to care. For something so inevitable to end in such a surprise was gift we will never forget.

TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR WEDDING DRESS: Finding my dress was probably the easiest part about the wedding! The most important thing about the dress, to me, was finding a dress that I would feel comfortable in. One afternoon, my mother, my sisters and I drove out to the Lovely Bride in Pasadena to try on dresses and ended up falling in love with the third one I tried on!

DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: Kristen at Oak Barrel and Bloom knocked it out of the park. Personally, I am typically not into florals, but for my wedding flowers, I knew I wanted a f
ew things to keep it simple; lots of greenery and with Veronica flowers nestled here and there. She most certainly delivered! My bouquet, the bridesmaid’s bouquet, the flower arrangements around the entire reception- everything turned out absolutely stunning!

FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: One of my favourite subtle details was to be able to have my late grandmother’s rosary wrapped around my bouquet. She carried her rosary everywhere with her and to have it and her spirit with me on our wedding day simply meant the world.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? It is so easy to get caught up in the chaos that comes with wedding planning! I definitely started to see myself get caught up in the overwhelming emotions that it could bring. But I found these two things to help the most: First, take a step back and realise why there is a wedding in the first place and try to keep the focus on the love between you and your spouse. When you do that, all the silly little details don’t seem matter! Secondly, if planning is not your forte- hire a wedding planner! The best decision we ever made! We were fortunate to have one of our closest friend as our wedding planner, Megan Macias with Festive Event Planning. Since Megan already knew Marcus and I personally she already had a sense of our taste early on. Armed with that knowledge, she took our vision and made it into reality; making our dreams come true and our lives immeasurably easier in the process.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Danielle: Walking down the aisle was by far my most memorable moment. The emotions between Marcus and I, the rain, the lighting in the chapel (breathtaking), and walking down to Coldplay’s “Midnight” set the mood perfectly. It was as if time stood still.

Marcus: My most memorable moment, without question, was the anticipation then outright emotion of seeing my future wife head down the aisle. We had some time restraints with our venue that made doing a “first look” preferable, but it was the component I outright vetoed. I did not want to see Danielle prior, end of story. It was one time I think we can both agree that my stubbornness proved to be a blessing.

ANY OTHER DETAILS THAT HELP TELL THE STORY OF YOUR DAY? When Marcus and I were planning some of the details, there were two parts of our wedding we wanted to go all out on; the first being food and second being music. Being health conscious eaters and passionate about seasonal, locally grown food, Whoa Nelly was instantly the ultimate caterer. Their spare ribs were the talk of the evening, so much so even we managed to eat seconds. Lastly, another favorite detail was the music by Dart DJs. We both knew we wanted music that would get everyone grooving on the dance floor, and Dart DJs delivered. From David Bowie, to Prince, and the BeeGees to Daft Punk, this bride remained on the dance floor from the beginning to the end.