1. Real Weddings

A DIY Woodsy Wedding at Sand Rock Farm Bed and Breakfast in Aptos, California

When Crystal Keith (34 and a special education program specialist) and Keith Catanese (30 and a sales manager) decided to get married, they scoured Ca

When Crystal Keith (34 and a special education program specialist) and Keith Catanese (30 and a sales manager) decided to get married, they scoured California's central coast for a cool, relaxed outdoor venue. “Keith grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, and we loved the idea of celebrating our wedding with family and friends tucked in the redwoods,” Crystal says. Finally, they discovered Sand Rock Farm Bed and Breakfast in Aptos, California. Colors were kept neutral—blush pink, ivory and grays—so they wouldn't compete with the natural beauty of the setting. In addition to being the location for the ceremony and reception, the former ranch provided lodging for the couple and their families. “We were able to spend the entire weekend in the gorgeous B&B, get married under a towering redwood tree in the grove, enjoy cocktail hour in remnants of the old Barrel Room, eat dinner in the meadow and dance in the barn,” Crystal says. After Crystal and Keith's heartfelt ceremony under an enormous redwood tree, their 144 guests found their seats at wooden farm tables topped with brown glass bottles filled with blush pink blossoms. Later, dancing kicked off in the barn. “Find the location that speaks to you,” Crystal says. “But more important than the space and details of the day are the people you surround yourself with. “We genuinely loved each person and vendor we worked with, which made all the difference.” —Carolyn Meers

Crystal stunned Keith at their first look. Crystal wore the Fantasia Gown by Catherine Deane at BHLDN. "It incorporated the classic lace elements and details I love yet had a design that was so easy to wear and so soft," Crystal says. "I couldn't stop touching it. "
Amanda Connors from florist Design in Bloom paired white and blush garden roses with greenery for Crystal and her bridesmaids, who wore dresses in varying shades of blush, gray and ivory.
Keith's groomsmen wore gray suits of their choosing with matching ties.
Groomsmen wore gray suits of their choosing, while bridesmaids selected full-length gowns in varying shades of blush, gray or ivory. Instead of a veil, Crystal wore a Jennifer Behr comb that tied in with the relaxed setting at Sand Rock Farm Bed and Breakfast in Aptos, California.
Crystal and Keith were married at the foot of a huge redwood tree under an arbor Keith and his family crafted from fallen branches and fresh flowers.
Gold flatware accompanied vintage-style ivory plates at each table setting, along with personalized name plates that Crystal had cut from wood.
"Our seating chart was a board of Polaroid-style photos we secretly collected of each guest," Crystal says. "Thanks, social media!"
Tables were decorated with vintage brown glass bottles that Crystal and Keith had selected from around the country. The bottles were filled with blooms and greenery.
"Because we met on Tinder, our best man—with visual support from the groomsmen—described Keith's strategy to attract women on the dating app, which was pretty hilarious," Crystal says.
In addition to the vintage brown glass bottles, some tables were adorned with an ivory macrame runner from Anthropologie.
The barn reception at Sand Rock Farm Bed and Breakfast in Aptos, California, allowed for plenty of dancing. “In terms of style, we were inspired by the natural beauty of the location as well as our personal style of mixing reclaimed wood, gold and vintage elements, each with its own story,” Crystal says.
"Our cake was a partially naked olive oil, rosemary and citrus cake with lemon curd, baked by the amazing and talented co-owner of Sand Rock Farm, Jen Hagglof," Crystal says. "It was topped by a laser-cut wooden topper gifted by one of my bridesmaids."