An Elevated Forest-Inspired Wedding at Santa Lucia Preserve

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The wedding colors included all shades of green, soft whites, burgundy, buttercup, and copper.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The ceremony’s redwood grove and the stunning backdrop of the Santa Lucia Preserve, a 20,000-acre nature preserve, provided the ultimate design inspiration. Every detail — from Lauren’s Fern Gown to the tree-themed tables to the floral arrangements resembling the forest floor — was inspired by California’s Central Coast. The couple playfully referred to their wedding decor as “upscale tree.”

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Eric proposed in front of Skógafoss, a 200-foot waterfall in Iceland. Lauren thought they were taking holiday card photos, so they were both wearing formalwear, and a local photographer captured Lauren’s surprise and delight!

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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”]

Lauren wore the iconic Fern Gown from Oscar de la Renta. She had her grandmother’s Navy Waves patch sewn into the bodice as her “something old and something blue.” Lauren wore her mother’s daisy diamond earrings as her “something borrowed.”

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Lauren’s bridesmaids wore floor-length dresses in different hues of green.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Eric’s midnight blue tuxedo was custom-fit by Carol Gachen at J. Hilburn Custom Menswear. He carried his grandfather’s antique pocket watch.

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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”]The food was inspired by California’s fresh produce and the couple’s honeymoon in Greece.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The floral design by Darcy Craig at Seascape Flowers resembled the forest floor and included ferns, tree branches, mushrooms, and moss. Lauren’s bouquet also included orchids, as an homage to Eric’s grandmother, and the bridesmaids’ bouquets included California pitcher plants. The reception was held at a large event barn, whose 336-foot-tall ceiling was covered in twinkle lights and whose entrance was flanked by long curtains. Guests were greeted by a forest-inspired seating chart, which directed them to their respective tables identified by a type of tree, rather than by a number. The centerpieces on the large farm tables were clear vases filled with large tree branches and surrounded by long-stem candles. The event barn included a custom high-top whiskey bar.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The three-tiered wedding cake, baked and designed by Edith Meyer, was decorated in the style of Lauren’s Fern Gown. Each tier had a different flavor–almond with raspberry buttercream, cookies-and-cream, and funfetti. Edith also created a cookie table filled with treats that also served as guest favors.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

A string quartet played “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison as Lauren walked down the aisle with both of her parents. Eric and Lauren’s first dance was choreographed to “She’s a Rainbow” by the Rolling Stones. Guests danced with the newly married couple to a live band named the Lucky Devils.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The save-the-dates and invitation suite were custom-designed by Wouldn’t It be Lovely (WIBL) and included watercolor designs of redwood trees and the California Central Coast. Together with WIBL, the couple also created a custom “I Spy” game to play while guests travelled to the redwood grove for the ceremony.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The couple’s beloved basenji, Kona, was the flower girl and wore a velvet green harness and bow. She also inspired the event’s custom cocktails — a “Bad Basenji” and a “Salty Dog.”

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]At the event barn, the couple displayed a poster where guests could read the couple’s original online dating profiles and initial messages to one another from when they first met through Coffee Meets Bagel.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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