Kate + Jared planned a sunny spring time country wedding at Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen, California. However, sunny springtime is not what they got – instead, they got SNOW! Oh, did I mention this wedding happened two weeks ago! :) Snow rarely happens in this part of Southern California, but it left a pure white blanket over their ceremony + reception. Instead of freaking out, Kate just layered up her leggings and even sported a pair of striped socks that belonged to a wedding guest! The wedding was beautifully brought back together by all of the love and support from the bridal party, friends, and family as everyone braved the snow to witness Kate + Jared tie the knot! Thanks so much to Sara Lucero for the lovely photos.
From Kate: Jared and I have been told countless times that we are two of the most sentimental people you’ll ever meet. We search for connections and value in everything (without even realizing it). With that being said, naturally, I wanted everything in the wedding to have a meaning behind it. I wanted it to feel country + cozy. I wanted it to be nothing but personal.
In the very beginning, I started with asking my mom, aunts and grandma to sew all the gray and yellow table toppers/runners (which probably ended up being my favorite detail). I had the yellow flower sash made from Etsy, but used my great-grandmother’s jewelry for the center. I asked the women in my life to make their specialty desserts for the dessert bar. I had my mom paint the tree for the guestbook. My brother made the cornhole boards. The morning of the wedding, my aunt surprised me with the quilt, and I cried like a baby (it was another homemade detail to add into our special day!) I tried to do as much DIY as I could, because it set that hometown feeling and emotion I was looking for.
Processional: Bridesmaids Recessional: You've Got a Friend by James Taylor and Bride Entrance: Acoustic version of Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Recessional: You Make My Dreams by Hall and Oates
First Dance: Time After Time by Javier Colon
Out of so many amazing moments that day, my favorite memory was just minutes before the ceremony. I walked out of the snow, and through the barn for the first time since it was completely set up. I saw all of our many months of planning, and my countless daydreams, put into the reality I hoped for. The lemons were in their vases, and the heart garland was hung up. I just starred in amazement and realized this was real, and I was about to walk down the aisle! I took my dad's arm, and he put the yellow umbrella over my head as we walked back into the snow... where I saw 100 people looking at me with complete love and joy. This was it! The moment every little girl wishes for, and then I saw Jared, looking right at me, his bride.
To all the planning brides out there, I have one major piece of advice – learn to just go with the flow. Details will probably go wrong! When something unplanned comes up (umm like snow!) remember the only thing that matters is you'll be married at the end of the day regardless. I don't think weddings have to be perfect. Even though the gray sweaters were purchased ahead of time, they quickly and officially became part of the attire when we felt the 40 degree weather! While saying our vows, it sounded as if an avalanche was coming down the mountain – It was snow falling on the tin roof of the altar! Also, after being announced as Mr. and Mrs. our song didn't start playing, so we just stood at the front of the aisle for a good thirty seconds and laughed. Those parts of the day you'll remember and love... because it reminds you how REAL your day was.
photography: Sara Lucero // venue name: Riley's Farm // wedding dress: David's Bridal // bridesmaid dresses: David's Bridal and gray belts from Target // catering: Riley's Farm // cake: cupcakes by The Cake Shop (all other desserts made by the wonderful women in Kate's life) // music: Lonsome Otis // event coordinator: Jan Theim from Riley's Farm // bridal accessories: yellow sash from FloralCouture, lace leggings from DGstyle // sweater: Anthropologie // grooms suit: JC Penney // groomsmen ties: Macy's // floral design: Collette Budd of Brier Rose Design
this wedding is so sweet. i love all of the details, and her dress is beautiful! and even though they didn’t plan for the snow, it made the pictures that much more beautiful. glad they could just go with the flow :)
i love the springy feel of this wedding against the snow! AMAZING!
This wedding is just beautiful!!! wow! Amazing pictures!
I love all the yellow at this wedding (spring color indeed). Funny how the weather is wacked right now. I photographed a wedding in Aspen in March when it’s usually really cold and snowy. It was bright sun and 70 degrees. Beautiful images!
I love the yellow accents. Everything stands out against the snow and grey skies.
Jen, I could just cry. I’m so proud of everyone that was involved in Kate & Jared’s wedding and it is a HUGE BLESSING to see their wedding on your beloved blog!
Kate is a truly a spectacular bride on the inside and out and. I’m so thankful I got to be her photographer. DREAM WEDDING, MUCH??! And now I’m excited to wear my “i’ve been featured on GWS” badge with pride! Straight up PRIDE!
Thanks again Jen!!!!
What a lovely day!! This has got to be one of my favorite weddings I’ve seen beginning to end! Kuddos to Sara for the sweet captures! :D
Awww Korie! You da best!
if anything, the snow only enhanced the beauty of their special day! the colors, the details, everything is just gorgeous. i love the kids outfits!!
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This is so wonderful! What a sweet wedding, beautifully captured, and the snow was such an unexpected touch!
Such a gorgeous day! Praise the Lord for snow in springtime! Magical.
Great job SARA LUCERO :) You did an amazing job capturing beautiful moments! I love you wifey and am so stoked for you!
Katie…this by FAR was one of the most BEAUTIFUL weddings I have ever seen!!!! It was so YOU! Beautiful, unique, simple BUT memorable. You did a FANTASTIC job! Gosh….I am getting married in Oct in a backyard in AV. If you have any cool idea’s PLEASE message me. Our theme is hearts. CONGRATULATIONS! XO
I’ve been on GWS looking for inspiration nearly everyday since we got engaged, and now… Our wedding is on the famous site! :) Feeling so loved and blessed right now.
Thank you to every single person who was involved in the wedding, and helped make our day perfect. xoxo. Couldn’t have done this without my favorite photographer, Sara Lucero! Check out more wedding photos at saralucero.com
Congrats Kate, you were beautiful and your wedding looks amazing!! I can see why Sara is your have photog!
Kate you are the sweetest!
Way to go to have a great attitude and this wedding turned out amazingly!
Simply beautiful!!! Love each and every detail and moment!!!!
LOVE this- I love shooting Riley’s farm and would kill to shoot it in the snow!! Great design and great photos!
I’m in love with snowy weddings! And this one is especially sweet!
Although you planned for a sunny spring wedding…I’m loving these colors for an unexpected snowy wedding! Really pops against the blank canvas of the snow.
Love how the colors stand out against the snow.
Wow, snow is quite a wedding day surprise! I must say, every last detail is incredible & the snow made everything even more fabulous!
Beautiful!!! I love the shabby chic-ness of it, and her dress is adorable!!!
Thanks Jen♥, such an honor to have work featured on here. Sara and Katie did such great job.Blessed to be a part of it.
Snow way!
Killer work Sara. Absolutely love the mood in these.
I think the snow made this shoot! The sunny yellows against that pure white is just magical.
Beautiful! Love those flowers! Great job, Collette!
what a beautiful wedding and what gorgeous colours – so different!
Absolutely Amazing ! Great Job Collette !
Jared and Katie we cant tell you how much it meant to us to be included in your special day! Everything was beautiful and Katie I admired so much how you did indeed just go with the flow! The entire day from start to finish was so much fun and made even more special because of the love you could just feel in the air! We love you both and wish you all the joy and love from that day to be continued in your life together! Love Ed and Tammy
This is very beautiful. As someone planning her own wedding I love the advice of going with the flow. Need to keep remembering that. I also love the snow. I normally hate snow cause being cold isn’t fun, but the yellow dresses really popped.
I absolutelly love everything about this wedding! The snowy white mountains, the beautiful bride, her dress, the location of the ceremony and reception, the way the ceremony was set up, the colors, and the sign the little boy was carrying “here comes the bride” was all absolutely amazing!!! Thanks for posting!!
This wedding is stunning! All the details are amazing. Love the floral design by collette budd and Sarah lucero captured the day beautifully<3
i honestly dont know where to start! i love every single thing about this wedding! the snow made it so beautiful! i love the bright sunny yellow against the white! i love the pockets on the brides dress! i love the bouquet! i love the bridesmaids dresses! the bride and groom themselves are gorgeous! this had made me fall in love with yellow and grey! love this! congrats!
Reading these comments just makes my day! It’s so amazing to read a stranger’s complement on all of our hard work! Thank you so much! It’s such a blessing! xo :)
Beautifull wedding!…
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Sooooo cute! I love the yellow and gray combo with the snowy background!
A wedding in the snow? LOVE! So magical! Love the pop of yellow used in the wedding too! Gorgeous.
This wedding just goes to show that sometimes the most unexpected happenings turn your day into something magical. The snow is stunning–it’s hard to imagine the setting without it!
That bouquet might just be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen! Incredible wedding.
Wow Super flattered!♥♥x♥ @ Kelli Ahern
beautiful wedding!
Aww… Kate, it’s just so adorable. So are the two of you. Love the pics. Everything is just so WOW. And the unexpected snow has enhanced the beauty. Thanks for the advice. Cheers …
WOW…..what a BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, wedding!!!!!! Katie…it was so YOU! The snow actually turned out to be an incredibly exquisite background. I am so very happy for you. I will you and Jarad all the love and happiness! XO
Hey Kate, I lovelovelove your dress!! You look amazing!! Could you by any chance tell me the designer/name of it?
Greetings from Austria,
Angelica