One of our very favorite events of last season was for the sweetest couple, Lydia & Luke from Fort Worth, Texas. They love the warmth and coastal feel that Carmel by the Sea brings, and we worked hard to bring that through in the wedding weekend design. A few details we loved were the salt and pepper oysters, mirroring the roaming oyster shuckers we had at cocktail hour, and the brown paper paired with bright figs at the seating chart. Take a peak into their day, shot by the lovely Kendall Aubrey Photo who we cannot recommend enough. (Also I have to say, the quickest album I have ever received, always a plus!) See our vendor credits below for a stellar group of humans to work with:
Venue: Carmel Valley Ranch a Hyatt Resort, Planning & Design: Engaged & Inspired, Photography: Kendall Aubrey Photo, Super 8 Film: With Love Content, Content Creation: The Cupid Content Co, Hair: Kay Hairstylist, Makeup: Jenny Lucia Artistry, Oysters: Parker Presents, Papergoods: Leighwood Design, Cake: Tart & Tin, Music: Dart Collective, Florals: Paeonina, Vintage Car: Monterey Touring Vehicles
The day started with the styling of intentional details such as the curated invitation suite made of deep browns & creams, the ceramic dish of special heirloom jewelry and the matching bride and groom pinkie rings. We gathered among the oak tree trail at the venue for a private first look, that was the sweetest moment caught on super 8 film. The small family bridal party loaded up the shuttles to leave for Carmel Mission Basilica for our Catholic Mass ceremony. The dip moment at the end of the aisle is picture perfect.
Guests waived goodbye to guests that gathered and watched getaway car pull off.
The vintage car getaway moment was another favorite detail of the wedding day. Guests headed to Carmel Valley Ranch clubhouse patio for roaming oysters, a harvest display, and Fall flavored his & her cocktails. The October weather was warm and guests had the most perfect golden light they enjoyed for photo time overlooking the valley view. We ushered to dinner and the bride and groom shared a choregraphed dance to kick off the five course dinner spread.
The large floral urns that flanked the reception bar were transferred from the iconic doors at Carmel Mission, to be repurposed perfectly. The couple had fun during photos and this one is one of my very favorites from the whole gallery, but they got so many effortlessly playful shots. Stunning!
The couple toasted to the family speeches with rippled toasts gifted from the grooms mom, we had waited at their place setting for dinner.
Our cake display table from Tart & Tin, adorned perfectly aligned with our vision but the lovely Sara of Paeonina.
Abalone caviar spoons and real oysters worked as salt & pepper cellars on each table.
Soft grey patterned linens paired with dark brown modern table lamps adorned the table displays, stone table numbers and travertine votives, to name a few of the details. Dark burgundy and bright chartreuse pops of green were the perfect floral centerpiece focal point for our design. The bride came to us with an idea to cut small cake with large table groupings, for a round the table power hour before dancing kicked off with a saxophonist from Dart music. The couples outfit change and high energy made a memorable kick off to the final hours of their wedding night.
A checked board dance floor is one trend we hope sticks around!
custom matchboxes made by Engaged & Inspired with the getaway car is styled in a flatlay with cake & cigars.
The bride changed into a Kyha bride mini dress for the afterparty moment & enjoyed a espresso martini.
We ended the night with a fun photo and guest moment with pouring pre batched espresso martinis for the late night final portion of our night. The bride and groom had so much fun passing out espresso martinis as guests came up the stairs to enjoy after party dancing. The team handed out branded mini tambourines for guests to continue to party late night inside the Carmel Valley Ranch clubhouse. We had custom pizza boxes we designed and ordered for Lydia & Luke’s request of late night pizza. Guests could grab their own box or slice and take a break from dancing, and it was a fan favorite moment of the season. We loved working with Carmel Valley Ranch banquet team to plan the martini tower in perfect timing with the self serve pizza bar. A dance set went into the late night hours of one AM, with a local shuttle running between nearby hotel locations, and the CVR lobby for guests on the half hour. Thank you to Lydia & Luke for working with us to build out their dream wedding weekend in our hometown of Carmel Valley.
