1. Real Weddings

A Natural, Garden-Inspired Wedding at a Private Estate in Santa Barbara, California

This private estate, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards in Santa Barbara, California, created an intimate environment for a garden-inspired wedding

This private estate, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards in Santa Barbara, California, created an intimate environment for a garden-inspired wedding. "We wanted everything to feel natural, like it would have been freshly picked out of the garden," Alyssa (25 and in marketing and public relations) says of her marriage to Alex (37 and a film producer). "It was very much a mix of the neutral and natural flowers in and matching the gardens of the estate." The ceremony took place outside with a beautiful backdrop of the vineyards, where Alyssa and Alex stood at the chuppah draped in thick white sheets and overflowing flower arrangements. Underneath the elegant white tent, iron chandeliers hung above dining tables decorated with even more ivory blooms, arranged inside long boxes that served as centerpieces. Alyssa's dress inspired the classic four-tier cake accented with white sugar lace on the sides and top. Speaking of which, we absolutely loved Alyssa's gown—a strapless Anna Meia Couture dress that embodied a classic look, thanks to the Chantilly lace overlay and romantic low back. "The first dress I tried on that day was it. [On the wedding day] Alex lost his breath and my dad got choked up," Alyssa says. "It felt very classic with a bit of vintage, and I hadn’t seen any other dresses with lace quite like it."

As Alyssa walked down the elegant staircase, her wedding dress train trailed elegantly behind her. She wore a strapless white Anna Meia Couture gown with a Chantilly lace overlay.
Classic Half-Up Hairstyle
"The ceremony chuppah was raised up on a custom-built wooden deck that made the ceremony feel more intimate," Alyssa says. "The seats were set up in a semicircle around us, which I highly recommend for shy brides."
Alyssa and Alex got married under a chuppah adorned with ivory blooms and greenery at the top, and thick white sheets covering the sides.
Blood orange marmalade in glass jars had labels portraying antique images of the Santa Barbara, California, estate where the wedding took place. These items served as wedding favors and also as escort cards that guided guests to their seats.
Under the elegant white tented reception space in Santa Barbara, California, dark wood beams connected to the ceiling that had elegant chandeliers dangling from above. Some dining tables had lace runners draped down the middle of bare wooden tops, while others had white tablecloths covering the entire surface.
The four-tier classic wedding cake had no additional decor besides sugar lace that trailed down the sides and sat on top of the dessert. Alyssa's wedding dress lace overlay served as the inspiration behind the lace accents on the cake.
Halter-Style Pink Flower Girl Dresses
Soft Ranunculus and Rose Boutonnieres
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A black-and-white chalkboard sign displayed the speciality cocktail options, set up in front of a large overflowing arrangement filled with ivory blooms.
White stationery with gold designs bordering around the text let guests know of what to expect for the upcoming meal. White plates set under the menus added to the overall elegant setting.
Ivory Flower and Greenery Centerpiece
Anna Meia Couture White Wedding Dress
Alex sported a black tuxedo from Saks Fifth Avenue, paired with cuff links that had been passed down in his family. "All Alex wanted was to look like James Bond on our wedding day, which I would say he achieved," Alyssa says.