1. Real Weddings

A Modern Garden Wedding at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California

Things were already heating up for Jauchy Jeh (29 and a high school librarian) and Jeffrey Juger (30 and a director of business development at JinkoSo

Things were already heating up for Jauchy Jeh (29 and a high school librarian) and Jeffrey Juger (30 and a director of business development at JinkoSolar) on their first date, which was over spicy beef noodle soup. “He was so nervous that he ordered way too much food, and I was so nervous that I couldn’t eat any of it,” Jauchy says. “I went home after with a huge bag of leftovers and already feeling excited and impatient to see him again.” For their contemporary-meets-classic wedding, the couple held their ceremony at a local church and hosted their 190 guests at the nearby Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California. Tones of dusty blue, blush, peach and gold created a soft palette that complemented Montalvo’s ornate architecture and manicured grounds. Tables were dressed with gray linens, pristine white china, gold-rimmed glassware and gold flatware. In place of a guest book, Jauchy and Jeff requested that friends and family leave notes in a Newlywed Cookbook. Guests were sent home with infusers and a medley of whole-leaf teas. “My mantra throughout the planning process was that as long as I end up married to my hubby, then the day will be considered a success,” Jauchy says. Jeff’s advice: “No matter how fast you think you can stuff your face, you really won’t get much time to eat. Seriously. So be prepared.” —Carolyn Meers

"Jeff and I love simple and classic designs, and wanted to choose rings that reflected that," Jauchy says. "My husband fancies himself a raccoon because of how much he loves things that sparkle, so he had spent considerable time (unbeknownst to me) at Tiffany & Co. inspecting diamonds under a microscope. He ended up selecting the Tiffany Novo, which features a cushion­-cut diamond, and we opted for the matching wedding band. For Jeff, we decided on a double milgrain wedding band whose shape complemented my rings."
Gavita Flora designed Jauchy's voluptuous bouquet, which consisted of white, peach and pink garden roses, white majolica spray roses, tulips, dahlias, bay leaves, seeded eucalyptus and passion vine.
Gavita Flora also designed the bridal party's bountiful bouquets. They mirrored Jauchy's and included white, peach and pink garden roses.
Jauchy's bridesmaids wore pale, slate blue gowns, and Jeffrey's groomsmen sported navy J.Crew suits.
Jauchy and Jeff said their vows at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos. "We happened to drive by one day and stopped on a whim to take a peek," Jauchy says. "We immediately fell in love with the high vaulted ceilings, the organ pipes, the stained-glass windows and all the natural light that was pouring in."
Jauchy and Jeff exchanged rings at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, California.
After their vows, Jauchy and Jeff made their way back up the aisle to live organ music.
"Growing up in the area, I’ve always loved Villa Montalvo’s beautiful grounds and architecture, and its stateliness really appealed to Jeff’s New England roots," Jauchy says. "Upon touring the mansion, we fell even more in love with the property and all its majestic details."
"During cocktail hour, guests mingled in the Spanish courtyard and the Oval Garden while oldies, such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, played in the background," Jauchy says. "There were passed hors d’oeuvres for nibbling, and we played corn hole and boccie."
Etsy's Hen & Co. created all the escort cards for the reception at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California.
"Each wedding party drove themselves to the ceremony, but we arranged for a white Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce to drive my freshly married husband and me from the church to Villa Montalvo," Jauchy says. "I had never been one to daydream about my wedding, but this elegant car felt like a fantasy come true."
Light gray linen-covered tables were set with gold-­accented ivory china, elegant gold flatware and gold­-rimmed glassware at the reception at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California.
Jauchy and Jeff enlisted Le Papillon to create a seafood-centric meal. "Of all the wedding details, Jeff—a foodie and an avid Yelper—was probably most concerned about the execution of the food and feeding our guests a delicious meal," Jauchy says.
Light gray linen-covered tables were set with gold-­accented ivory china, elegant gold flatware and gold­-rimmed glassware. Atop each place setting sat a peach napkin and a dinner menu with dusty blue font. Vintage glass water bottles with white script numbers served as table identifiers.
A seafood-centric menu by Le Papillon was served on light gray linen-covered tables set with gold-­accented ivory china, elegant gold flatware and gold­-rimmed glassware. Atop each place setting sat a peach napkin and a dinner menu with dusty blue font.
"We danced to NewSong’s 'When God Made You,'" Jauchy says. "Because it was a part of Jeff’s proposal to me in Napa, it has special meaning for us."
During dinner at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California, Jauchy and Jeffrey sat on a love seat draped with a lush floral garland.
Satura Cakes crafted the couple's wedding cake, a two-­tier strawberry shortcake adorned with fresh flowers. Guests indulged in a full dessert bar, which featured a variety of mini­cakes, from red velvet to green tea and carrot cake.