A Garden Party Wedding in Rancho Santa Fe

For their wedding, Courtney and Richard envisioned an intimate garden party filled with pastel flowers, candlelight, and the warm glow of canopy lights. The historic charm of the Rancho Santa Fe was the perfect setting, offering personal significance and picturesque beauty for their special day which was captured by CAMILA MARGOTTA.

The location held deep meaning for the bride, who grew up in the area. With planning by EVER AFTER EVENTS, the ceremony was held at The Village Community Presbyterian Church, where she and her sisters attended nursery school, and the welcome reception took place at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club, where she played golf with her grandmother as a child. THE INN AT RANCHO SANTA FE, with its recent renovations, provided the ideal venue for their reception, allowing out-of-town guests to stay within walking distance of all events.

The couple’s love story began unconventionally—matching twice on dating apps, with their first in-person date in Miami. Richard later proposed at Torrey Pines Beach, one of the bride’s favorite spots, and planned a surprise engagement celebration with her family and best friend.

I loved all of our stationery. I worked for months with PAPERIE BAKERY crafting small details that were super meaningful to me. From the save the date to the ceremony program I loved all the creativity and thought that went into  it. We also had a custom website that they created which included custom graphics of our dog and of our wedding elements. I played golf in college and my husband played tennis so we incorporated a golf club and tennis racket in our wedding crest and in little details throughout the wedding. My favorite thing we worked on was the table assignments. We chose places that were significant in our lives instead of numbers. It was a fun way to share more about us as a couple and are a keepsake we will have framed!

The florals, designed by CARLA KEYES, featured soft pastel blooms that complemented the reception’s intimate atmosphere. Every detail, from the stationery by PAPERIE BAKERY to the table assignments inspired by significant places in the couple’s lives, reflected their thoughtfulness and personality.

The ceremony was the highlight of their day, with the bride walking down the aisle with her parents and the couple exchanging heartfelt vows. Afterward, guests enjoyed meaningful details like a custom wedding crest featuring a golf club and tennis racket, nodding to the couple’s shared love of sports.

Finding the perfect wedding dress was serendipitous. At THE BUSTLE in Del Mar, the bride discovered an ANNE BARGE gown she had admired but hadn’t expected to find locally. The classic high-neck, long-sleeved dress featured floral appliqué details that tied seamlessly into the garden-inspired theme. She added a veil and an overskirt for the ceremony, creating a timeless, elegant look.

Following the wedding, the newlyweds enjoyed a dream honeymoon at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, opting for a relaxing retreat to unwind after months of planning. Their advice for couples planning a wedding? Focus on what truly matters—marrying the love of your life and celebrating with your closest friends and family. Everything else is just icing on the cake!