Laina + Jeremy grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains so they knew they had to get married underneath the redwoods. In fact, they were actually high school sweethearts who remained friends, but reconnected as a couple and got married 11 years later! Love that. :) They pictured their entire wedding outside with redwoods and lots of candles + cafe lights. And lucky for them, one of Laina’s best friends parents offered their beautiful home as their venue! Jeremy then worked for months to transform a bumpy redwood grove into a beautiful flat ceremony venue in the middle of a forest. Their wedding was full of handmade details – including lots of paper flowers, the ribbon backdrop and more – and felt like a beautiful backyard party which is exactly what they imagined.
Thanks to Sun and Life Photography for the photos and congrats to Laina + Jeremy!
Processional: Only Exception – Vitamin String Quartet
Recessional: Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
First Dance: Free – Zach Brown Band
It is really hard to pick just one favorite memory of the day, the whole wedding was so memorable. Writing and reciting our own vows to one another for the first time during the ceremony, walking down the aisle and seeing the faces of all our favorite people with tears in their eyes, having friends and family who came from as far as Australia, China, Hawaii and Wisconsin was amazing! And last but not least, the massive dance party and people saying to me the next day "that was the most fun we've ever had at a wedding!" really made all the hard work pay off. It was a day we will never forget. I wish we could do it every month! ; )
One of my favorite details of our wedding is that my dad made 200 gorgeous white vases for the centerpieces and for our guests to take home as a gift. My mom, with a little help from friends made over 200 paper roses to put in the vases.
My advice for future planners would be to pool your resources! We were working with a small budget so we had to get creative and utilize the people in our lives based on their talents, abilities, connections, etc. Then we delegated jobs to friends and family who could help. We feel so lucky to have so many talented people in our lives that helped us achieve our vision for the wedding.
The day goes by SO fast. Be present and take time to look around and enjoy it. Let everything go on the day of the event, at this point whatever happens will be great because you worked so hard to get to there. Look each other in the eye during the ceremony, speak slowly and take deep breaths. Eat dinner, dance a lot, and smile! because everyone who is there to celebrate with you all love you so much and have been a part of the journey that has led you to the person you are today!
photography: Sun and Life Photography // venue name: Private Residence, Santa Cruz Mountains, California // wedding dress: Sarah Seven // hairpiece: Twigs & Honey // bride's shoes: Mix No. 6 (for pictures) & Seychelles- Point of No Return (for dancing) // hair stylist: Holly Ashley @ Studio 3, Sacramento // makeup artist: Holly Ashley @ Studio 3, Sacramento // groom attire: Men's Warehouse & the Tie Bar // paper goods: Envelopments // catering: Hector Quiroz Catering // music: Santa Cruz DJ Company // centerpiece vases: Stan Welsh Ceramics // invitations: Envelopments // cookie bar: Pacific Cookie Company
excellent bouquet. too good.
LOVE that bouquet. So fun and unique.
I must must MUST know where the necklace is from! It’s perfect!
Love the creativity with the flowers. Is there a pattern to follow for them, would love to create some flowers myself. Very lovely couple, wish you all the happiness. Jennifer with http://www.LinenTablecloth.com
The bouquets were Etsy Posh Studios and the single flowers were hand cut, each petal, wrapped and glued around cake pop sticks.
My hubs and I danced our first dance to Free by ZBB as our first song too…..we actually did the Free/Into the Mystic version and asked people to join us near the end!
The color palette manages to be soft yet vibrant at the same time… It looks great!
Truly beautiful!!!
Gorgeous wedding and I love the flowers! I’d love a bouquet like that; please could you tell us where you got it from or how you made it? Thank you! :)
What a beautiful and unique wedding! I absolutely adore the bride’s gown and flower bouquet!!!
WoooooooW
The bouquets were not mentioned in the write up and they definitely should be given credit ; ) I ordered those from PoshStudios on Etsy. They have some fabulous designs and lots of different flowers to choose from!
Amazing pictures. I really like the style of the wedding. And the bouquet is unite.
Love color. What a beautiful wedding!
LOVE the invitations!! And the DIY details. Beautiful.
Just lovely. Love what you had to stay about being in the moment, smiling a lot, and working with a small budget, thus utilizing the skills friends & family have available fo you. Beautiful wedding, beautiful photos. Congratulations!!
Wow!! This wedding is absolutely gorgeous!! Love everything!!
So honored to have been able to be a small part of this wedding!
We love this so much! Perfect backdrop for a beautiful couple.
Where are the bridesmaids dresses from? Love them!
Is this private residence available for rent for weddings? It is absolutely everything I have been looking for.