1. Real Weddings

A Natural Wedding at Cayucos Veterans Hall in Cayucos, California

Alissa Backman (28 and a chemistry PhD candidate) and Daniel Murray’s (27 and a chemistry PhD candidate) simple and natural wedding was filled with pe

Alissa Backman (28 and a chemistry PhD candidate) and Daniel Murray’s (27 and a chemistry PhD candidate) simple and natural wedding was filled with personal details that made their day that much sweeter. Every piece of the wedding, including their Cayucos Land Conservancy ceremony spot, was tied to a memory. “My husband lived in Cayucos for seven years while working on his degree at Cal Poly,” Alissa says. “We often visit this little town and the spot where the ceremony was chosen because it overlooked my his favorite surf spot." The couple shared personal and traditional vows overlooking the beach before ending the night in a dance party at Cayucos Veterans Hall. Alissa and her mother personally collected each piece of driftwood for the tented reception. Succulents, greenery and white stock flowers accented burlap runners as black-and-white table numbers popped from the center. Each was inspired by a different element on the periodic table. Alissa and Daniel’s wedding cake had a few brighter hues. A bold design covered the single-tier confection as pink spider chrysanthemums surrounded the base and served as the topper. A. Blake Photography captured this detail and more, below. For future couples, Alissa shares a tip: “The simpler, the better. I think loved ones appreciate a more genuine and heartfelt wedding than a big, expensive one.”

Daniel and his brother wore succulent boutonnieres and plaid purple ties with their gray suits for the beachfront wedding. Succulents were also used in the bridal party’s bouquets and accented each burlap runner at the couple’s reception for a natural touch. The only other flowers used in their day were purple calla lilies.
Since Alissa and Daniel are working on their PhDs in chemistry, the couple integrated their love of science into the wedding. As their 100 guests entered the ceremony, they found their seat listed under a particular element from the periodic table.
The couple’s florist, Velvet Bloom, took a more natural approach in designing Alissa’s bouquet. Bold succulents topped the arrangement as purple calla lilies, greenery and yellow orchids served as accents. She captured the natural blooms with a classic white satin ribbon.
In lieu of a veil, Alissa paired her white Amy Kuschel wedding dress with a few more eye-catching accents. She complemented the couple’s natural decor with a crystal accent in a leaf design and personalized jewelry. “My earrings are abalone, which were made by my husband from a shell he found in Cayucos years before we met. I was trying to match all other accessories to the earrings,” Alissa says.
Brooch-Accented Peep-Toe Wedding Shoes
Alissa’s sister, and only bridesmaid, chose her plum dress with a fun cutout neckline and matching sequins. She, as well as Alissa’s other immediate family members, walked with Alissa in the couple’s ceremony procession. “It was so much fun to walk down, talk, laugh and see all the guests at the edge of the Bluffs,” Alissa says.
Alissa and Daniel, as well as the majority of their 100 guests, took in their natural beachside view during the ceremony. All watched as the couple shared both personal and traditional vows. “We were not allowed to have seating on the stretch of the bluffs during the ceremony, so the guests stood all around us, which made the ceremony extra personal and intimate,” Alissa says.
Daniel wore a light gray suit. They said “I do” while overlooking his favorite surf spot, which has special meaning to them as a couple. “We often visit this little town and the spot where the ceremony was chosen,” Alissa says.
“I do not have a Pinterest account, so really my inspiration came from the beach, and my mother helped plan every detail,” Alissa says. Together, her and her mother hand-picked each piece of driftwood, stock flower and succulent for the couple’s natural decor.
Since Alissa and Daniel’s wedding was filled with natural succulents and plum florals, the couple chose a brighter display for their wedding cake. Eye-catching pink spider chrysanthemums surrounded the single-tier dessert, as a bold vine design accented its ivory frosting. Purple florals and greenery were used for an added pop of color.