Keeping it casual was key for Courtney + Eric, at their cool California wedding. The two wanted something quintessentially them, and that meant for an easygoing and relaxed affair, one that allowed them to break free from tradition, and truly celebrate what makes them, well… them.
The talent behind the event design is none other than the bride; Courtney curates the fashion + lifestyle blog, Pretty Little Fawn, and as its author, she has a keen eye for details and design. Courtney always dreamt of being married outdoors, but she just wasn’t finding anything she fancied in Southern California. It wasn’t until C+E happened upon The Riverbed Farm – a sustainable urban farm tucked away in Anaheim, California – that she felt like she could actually make that dream a reality. Courtney shares, We were actually the first wedding to happen at the location. The venue owner built custom picnic tables and benches to include with the rental and they really helped to set a rustic tone amongst the vegetable patches.
With event planning by Art & Soul Events and gorgeous photo by Gaby J., this wedding is sure to be a perfect start to your Monday!
SWOON ALERT! Courtney’s vintage wedding dress complements the retro Airstream just perfectly – giving off the air of it being another time.
Fun Fact: The Airstream came about in the early 1930s when the wife of founder, Wally Byam, refused to travel without her kitchen (she also loathed sleeping on the ground, making her the original glamping queen)… Byam got creative and the iconic Airstream resulted.
Eric and I decided that the traditional first-look while walking down the aisle felt too serious for us. Instead, we opted for exchanging hand-written letters and reading them silently side-by-side. I poured my heart out, and he did too. That private moment was all about us, and it helped ease my stress.
We love the mix of dresses and the pinky hues her bridesmaids wore! Each dress is uniquely their own, but together they create such a pretty palette.
Heart emojis galore, the macramé background by Laura Stewart Design frames the couple perfectly, and adds the most charming and whimsical touch to the ceremony. And the pretty macrame banner is by bonfire heart.
One way that I really got to share myself was with the flowers. I knew from the start that I wanted simple flowers that still make a big impact, so I found our floral designer, Flora Pop, and asked how to make incredible displays on a budget. She took up the challenge and went above and beyond. The eucalyptus covering the tables smelled incredible, and my chamomile bouquet was so entirely me. It felt really wonderful to be able to share somewhat non-traditional flower arrangements with our guests, many of whom said they thought they were so perfect for the location.
We’re positively head over heels for this custom jean jacket by JN by JN LLOVET. (Who’s up for a DIY?!)
They simplified their menu and went with a few crowd favorites. Grilled cheese and tomato soup? YES, PLEASE!
Processional: These Days by Vitamin String Quartet
Recessional: Help Yourself by Tom Jones
First Dance: Wig Wam by Bob Dylan
Neither Courtney nor Eric are big fans of cake, so instead, they topped the day off with a myriad of mini donuts.
It’s worth it to go the extra mile and keep searching if something just doesn’t feel right. Don’t be afraid to ask or try something new – after all, our wedding was the first to happen at The Riverbed Farm and it went off without a hitch.
Although we escaped the stresses of a more traditional and formal wedding, there was still a lot to think about and manage. If you’re looking to plan a wedding on a budget, one thing we highly suggest is to not cut the wedding planner. The wedding planner is there to move the day along, making sure everything happens seamlessly and truly allows you to enjoy your day, rather than stress over the details. These people know the ins-and-outs of weddings and their job is to make sure everything flows, so you don’t have to.
photography: Gaby J // venue name: The Riverbed Farm, Anaheim, California, USA // event design: Bride (Courtney) // planning: Art & Soul Events // florals: Flora Pop // wedding dress: Vintage // wedding dress boutique: Gossamer // bride's shoes: Jeffrey Cambell // bride's ring: Satomi Kawakita // bridesmaid dresses: Various designers and Reformation // hair stylist: Chanel Marshall // makeup artist: Chanel Marshall // groom attire: Zara // groom's shoes: Urban Outfitters // catering: The Blue Light Speak Cheesy // desserts: Donut Snob // furniture rentals: Love More Decor // music: DJ INTURN
This wedding is just too much with the bride’s jean jacket, the grilled cheese, and the donuts! What a beautiful, thoughtful celebration!
I love the bride dress and thank the photograpger for so many beautiful photos.
http://www.allminime.com/wedding-bobbleheads-wedding-cake-toppers-c-25_36.html
Lovely photos, everyone is so stylish!
Beautiful set of images!