1. Real Weddings

A Neutral-Colored Rustic Wedding at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California

The neutral color palette mixed with plentiful amounts of greens warmly invited guests to enter the barn doors of this classic, rustic wedding. Melani

The neutral color palette mixed with plentiful amounts of greens warmly invited guests to enter the barn doors of this classic, rustic wedding. Melanie Greene (24 and a preschool teacher) and Jeffrey (JJ) Turbin (23 and in hospital quality assurance) got married at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California, not only because it was convenient for family members who lived nearby, but also because they fell in love with the rustic feel of the barn and house on the property. The inside of the barn was strung with twinkling lights, which hung over wooden folding chairs where guests sat to watch the couple say their vows. Melanie and JJ were married in front of a wedding arch made of greenery and ivory flowers, captured on camera by Anna Delores Photography. The room was flipped for the reception, opening the space to fit round tables dressed in ivory linens that were decorated with centerpieces of leaves and eucalyptus, arranged with the help of Carrie Contreras. Guests located their designated seats with black circular chalkboards in silver frames that had names written next to tables. The couple's personalities shined through in having milk in glass bottles and platters of cookies instead of a traditional wedding cake (which they didn’t like, anyway). "Worry less about the wedding, and more about preparing for marriage," Melanie says. "Have fun, and practice making decisions together. Your style and taste will change, but the memories of spending time with your loved ones and forming a union will be what sticks."

Classic Gold Wedding Rings
The wedding invitations were printed on black, white and yellow stationery, with calligraphy design by Melanie Stuart Designs and printed by Kindred. An antler design was printed on many of the pieces of stationery, reflecting the wedding's rustic style.
Melanie wore an ivory wedding dress that was accented with lace on the bodice and covered the entirety of the dress, all the way down to the train. She wore her hair pulled back in an elegant updo, which revealed her delicate silver dangling earrings.
Melanie held a bouquet of greens, such as leaves and eucalyptus, mixed in with scattered ivory flowers. "I love greenery, so we had eucalyptus as the bulk of our floral arrangements with some white added in," Melanie says. "We wanted it to be warm and inviting."
"I loved the idea of bridesmaids wearing their own style dress and picking something they would love outside of a wedding," Melanie says. "I gave them a general color palette and they decided from there. I couldn't be more happy with how that turned out."
The couple held their ceremony inside the rustic barn at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California, with Edison bulbs twinkling above them and their guests. "We loved our ceremony because it was handpicked by us," Melanie says. "JJ's uncle was the pastor and my friends sang our communion song. It just felt like a complete reflection of our values."
The ceremony took place inside the barn at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California, where wooden folding chairs were lined up to face the altar. A black-and-white program with calligraphy was placed on each chair, and the aisle was lined with floor arrangements of greenery and eucalyptus.
Jeffery had a boutonniere of greens pinned to his light gray jacket, which he wore with matching pants. He wore a navy blue tie to add a pop of color to the neutral-colored outfit. Melanie wore an ivory wedding dress entirely accented with a lace overlay.
The couple stood in the middle of their wedding party underneath a grand tree at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California. The bridesmaids picked their dresses, which followed the general neutral-colored palette. The groomsmen wore charcoal gray suits with neutral-colored ties to fit the color palette as well.
The room inside the barn was flipped after the ceremony, making space for the circular white dining tables decorated with lush centerpieces made of leaves and eucalyptus. Tables were each marked by a wooden letter so guests could find their seats.
The seating assignments were displayed on small black chalkboards in different shapes bordered by a silver frame, which were located outside the rustic barn at Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, California.
"Milk and Cookies" Dessert Sign
Illusion Sweetheart Neckline Accented in Lace