We adore a good farm wedding, but as soon as we laid eyes on Elle (a nurse!) and Ryan’s (an astrophysicist!!) wedding we were even more smitten than usual. Maybe it has something to do with their spot-on personal style (srsly, wait ’til you see Elle’s gorge floral kimono!), the charming and perfectly rustic details, or the fact that their wedding venue is practically in LA’s (and our) backyard, but feels a million miles away. These two put together their beautiful day DIY-style, with some help from a few family members + friends. For anyone tying the knot in a rustic setting this fall, we’re sure you’ll be eyeing E + R’s photos for a couple amazing, last minute ideas!
A bit about the planning process from Elle, Both of us have family that live in rural areas of California and Texas. Living in Los Angeles, we missed being connected to those roots. Having a venue that spoke to where we both came from but was convenient enough to visit and plan around was really important to us. Once we found Riley’s Farm, the rest flowed from there!
Big thanks to Brad Claypool for these stunning images and congratulations to Elle + Ryan on a beautiful day!
Elle scored her gorgeous lace dress at a local thrift store and had it tailored for a more modern fit. We seriously love hearing thrift store success stories! :) And this is one of the prettiest vintage dresses we’ve seen.
If you are planning a rustic wedding – or a fall farm celebration – shop for some fun finds for your event, inspired by Elle + Ryan’s day, below!
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Ryan: Elle standing with her parents at the top of the stairs, having just stepped out of the car and wearing her veil: that is an image that will stay with me for a long time.
Elle: As a part of the ceremony, we had a ring warming where all our family and friends had a chance to hold our rings before they came to us. Taking that moment to look out on all the people gathered there with us was really special.
This shot makes us smile! Such a happy moment captured of the sweet newlyweds!
Love the cheery tablescapes + those pretty floral arrangements put together by Elle after an early-morning run to the LA flower market!
Processional: Appalachia Waltz – Edgar Meyer + Mark O'Connor
Recessional: Orbital – Josh Ritter
First Dance: Cover of Strangers in the Night – Milo Greene (one of the couple's favorite LA-based bands)
This sounds cliché, but do whatever you can to enjoy yourself! Even if that means letting go of traditions that don't mean anything to you or adding in seemingly "non-wedding" things that are really special to the two of you. And take time in the planning and (sometimes) chaos to be together and get excited about your marriage. We loved our wedding, but being married has been just as awesome and maybe more important than our wedding day was!
I think there's a lot of pressure these days to have a wedding that's really unique. Some of our favorite parts of our wedding were borrowed from or later borrowed by friends. Focus on the things you love, the things that really reflect the two of you, let go, and enjoy!
photography: Brad Claypool // venue name: Riley's Farm, Oak Glen, California // florals: LA flower market // wedding dress: found at a thrift store and tailored // hairpiece: DIY by the bride // bride's shoes: Anthropologie // hair stylist: Bride -- Kalida Ghazar, [email protected]; Bridesmaids and Mothers -- friend (Kymberli McKanna) // makeup artist: Bride -- Kalida Ghazar, [email protected]; Bridesmaids and Mothers -- friend (Kymberli McKanna) // videography: Riel Phillips // paper goods: original art and design by the bride, printed through Vistaprint // catering: Riley's Farm // cake: Dough'Lectibles, Redlands, CA // music: Ceremony music provided by friends (Leah and Travis Murphy, Nathan Whitehead, and Lara Sando) reception music by The Mill Creek Boys // groom's attie: Jacket and vest was thrift store; pants from Gap; shirt from Nordstrom Rack
This has got to be the cutest wedding that I have seen in a while!! Love every. single. detail. WOW! Thanks for sharing!
SOO gorgeous!!
Elle, if you see this, I’d love to ask you a few questions about the venue!! I went to their website and didn’t see any wedding info. The farm looks so beautiful!
Katie, the venue website is http://www.rileysfarm.com. Unfortunately, they stopped taking contracts for wedding during our planning process. We were one of the last ones. However, there are other venues in Oak Glen, California that host weddings and other events! Good luck!
Gorgeous photography!
That cake! Wow! I’m a fan of cakes btw! :) Beautiful wedding on an amazing farm.
Beautiful work Brad @ Brad Claypool Photography!