1. Real Weddings

A Glamorous Vineyard Wedding at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California

Just over three years after being matched through an online dating site, Silicon Valley residents Laura (29 and a teacher) and Pierre (37 and a lawyer

Just over three years after being matched through an online dating site, Silicon Valley residents Laura (29 and a teacher) and Pierre (37 and a lawyer) wed in a rustic, romantic affair at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California. “The focus of our design was rustic chic,” says Laura, who incorporated distressed-wood finishes and wine barrels into the outdoor ceremony and tented reception. From bouquets to centerpieces, the flower arrangements were “soft, textural and a little bit wild,” made with garden roses, dahlias and passion vines. Though there was no firm palette, tones of green were accented with rich purples and pale violets—most prominent in the vibrant bridesmaid dresses. After an outdoor ceremony overlooking verdant vineyards, Laura and Pierre’s 270 guests headed to the nearby tented reception, where they located table assignments on tags attached to fresh apples (a nod to Laura’s teaching profession). Among the reception’s most stunning design elements was a 12-foot-long floral chandelier suspended over the dance floor; it was crafted from leafy local greenery, hydrangeas, roses and orchids. “Pierre and I wanted to ensure that the event reflected our personalities and families,” says Laura, whose family is both Catholic and Jewish, while Pierre’s is Assyrian. An eclectic playlist helped these distinct backgrounds shine on the dance floor, which stayed packed with revelers through Taylor Swift songs, traditional Assyrian music and "Hava Nagilia." "Overall, it was an unforgettable night," Laura says. "Pierre and I got to see our family and friends join together in a celebration filled with laughter, a few tears and a lot of never-ending smiles." —Carolyn Meers

Carmel Valley Ranch Wedding Venue
When it came to dresses, Laura provided her bridesmaids with options. "I decided on a variety of magenta, purple and lilac Monique Lhuillier, floor-length gowns. I liked the weddings I had seen where the bridesmaids didn't all wear exactly the same gown, but each was able to wear a gown that helped them feel their best."
Laura's family's golden retriever donned a black bow tie collar and a flower garland when he served as the ring bearer.
Laura and her bridesmaids carried lush, generous bouquets made to look “soft, textural and a little bit wild.” Each included garden roses, dahlias and passion vines.
In keeping with the day's elegant aesthetic, Pierre wore a bespoke black tux created by Fitwel Custom Clothes with a shawl collar and cummerbund. Pierre's groomsmen mirrored his polished look with their own black tuxedos, which they obtained via Web-based company Black Tux.
Fitting with the vineyard setting, a pair of wine barrels topped with cascading floral arrangements sat at the ceremony entrance. Purple and ivory blossoms were placed on wrought-iron hooks down the aisle leading to the wedding arch.
Laura and Pierre married under a colorful arch decorated with lush greenery, rosehips, pepperberries, hydrangeas, dahlias, roses and vibrant purple orchids.
Marking the entrance to the ceremony seating area were two wine barrels topped with cascading purple orchids, ivory garden roses, passion vines and pepperberries.
"Our ceremony took place in the vineyard lawn at Carmel Valley Ranch," says Laura, who exchanged vows with Pierre under a colorful flower arch overlooking lush rolling hills. "Overall we wanted the wedding to reflect a relaxed sense of elegance and warmth."
In a nod to Laura's profession as a teacher, names and table assignments were written on petite leaf-shaped papers and attached to fresh apples.
Among the reception’s most stunning design elements was a 12-foot-long floral chandelier suspended over the dance floor, which was crafted from leafy local greenery, hydrangeas, roses and orchids.
Centerpieces were a mix of tall vases filled with just greenery and more restrained arrangements of ivory garden roses, ranunculus and purple dahlias in petite vases.
"Pierre and I wanted to ensure that event reflected our personalities and families,” says Laura, whose family is both Catholic and Jewish, while Pierre’s is Assyrian. An eclectic music playlist helped these distinct backgrounds shine on the dance floor, which stayed packed with revelers through Taylor Swift songs, traditional Assyrian music and "Hava Nagilia."
As the night came to a close, guests were encouraged to take home small s'mores kits.
As the night went on, easy-to-eat french fries and nachos (Laura's favorite) were served.