It’s no secret that Big Sur has a LOT to offer. From the mountains to the sea, there’s something for everyone. And for Nadia + John, creating a whimsical wedding day was top of the list. When they found Loma Vista Gardens at the center of Big Sur, they booked in site-unseen from their home in New York City! Venue in place, the inspiration came to life:
“Coming from NYC, we wanted to utilize the unique and one-of-a-kind elements of Big Sur since it’s completely different from what we’re used to. We wanted people to feel like they’re in a dreamlike, ethereal world in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by nature. Loma Vista Gardens, was just that. A whimsical garden with immense character nestled in between the mountains and the ocean.”
Nadia called on her long-time friend and event designer, Danielle DeTrinis, to help bring her vision of a rugged, boho-inspired, unique wedding day to life. They FULLY succeeded, and Kayla Esparza Photography was there to capture it all!
The First Dress Was the One
How rare is this — Nadia only tried on ONE wedding dress! But it took a hunt to track it down. Here’s the serendipitous story:
“I knew it was the one. I had seen this long sleeve, lace gown a couple of years ago on a blogger and I just kept going back to that one dress. I compared everything to it. Finally, I decided to track it down. It was not easy since the dress was discontinued years ago and not a lot of places carried it. I called every bridal store in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut that carried that designer and was unsuccessful. Then, I called a small boutique in Philadelphia. They told me they had one left and that it was 50% off since it’s an older model. I called my mom and told her we were taking a road trip to Philadelphia! i tried the dress on and took it home that same day!”
Cliffside First Look
The most memorable moment of the day was our first look on the cliffs of Big Sur. It was a surreal and emotional moment in the most beautiful setting that we will remember for life.
The best moment!
These two had the most fun meet-cute! John + Nadia met at a wedding in Greenville, Maine where, in very rom-com fashion, he was the best man and she was a bridesmaid. They spent the week getting to know each other. What they assumed would be a fling was definitely not that. They fell madly in love quickly! After the wedding week, John flew to New York and immediately asked Nadia to be his girlfriend to which she replied, “I’ll think about it…” Then, minutes later, she said yes!
Wedding Party with Ocean Views
The ladies looked fierce in mismatched white dresses!
And the guys rocked a classically cool look. How rad is John’s hat, by the way?
The Whimsical Garden Wedding Ceremony
After the cliffside portraits, it’s the ceremony! Nadia + John wed in the most gorgeous garden surrounded by neutral blooms — and friends and family, of course.
Processional: Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis & Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
Recessional: No by Jason Aldean
First Dance: I Need You by Lynyrd Skynyrd
That look!
Here Come the Newlyweds
The happiest!!
Nadia got all glammed up with perfectly boho curls by Cailyn Jordan and makeup by Ale Bee.
How beautiful is that entrance! They worked with neutral decor with minimal colors to emphasize the garden’s natural beauty.
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The most delicious little “seating chart” by Spirits and Nature!
N + J wanted the florals to feel cohesive with the garden, so they worked with Big Sur Flowers and opted for wispy, textured, and unstructured arrangements for a wild, organic feel.
To tie in the elements of the Redwood Forest, they used handmade redwood dinner tables!
Hire a planner!!! I was fortunate enough that one of my oldest friends is an event planner and was generous enough to help me plan the whole day. It was the best decision we made. The last thing you want is to answer questions on your wedding day or worrying about how your vision will be executed. She took care of everything that I did not want to deal with. From curating and perfecting our timelines, contacting every vendor to make sure everyone was on the same page, and most importantly, running the whole show the day of the wedding. It helped us enjoy and savor every moment so much more.
Secondly, take more bride and groom pictures than you think is necessary. Those are the ones you will want to have the most options! Lastly, if you do not have a videographer (we didn't), have someone record the entire ceremony. You will want to look back on this segment and relive this special moment.
And finally, kicking off the party with the first dance! So perfect. Sending all our love and congrats to Nadia + John!
photography: Kayla Esparza Photography // venue name: Loma Vista Gardens, Big Sur, California, USA // event design: Danielle DeTrinis // planning: Danielle DeTrinis // florals: Big Sur Flowers // hair stylist: Ale Bee // makeup artist: Cailyn Jordan // catering: Chef Hyson // tabletop rentals: Alexis Party Rentals // furniture rentals: Loma Vista Gardens // specialty rentals: Alexis Party Rentals // music: DJ Hanif // cocktails: Spirits and Nature
