1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Citrus-Inspired Garden Wedding at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California

Carly Salas (28 and a retail manager) met Kevin Sochacki (27 and a business manager) while they were undergrads at Purdue University. Their romance bl

Carly Salas (28 and a retail manager) met Kevin Sochacki (27 and a business manager) while they were undergrads at Purdue University. Their romance blossomed after graduation, and Kevin proposed in an herb garden in Ojai, California—a setting that inspired the bright, lush theme of their spring wedding at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California, just north of San Diego. For their outdoor ceremony and reception, Carly and Kevin went with a “California garden” theme that highlighted fruits grown in the southern part of the state. “We didn't have a specific palette, but I was especially interested in whites, greens, navy and hints of orange,” says Carly, who selected the bright hue for its tie to Ojai (known for its citrus fruits). Accordingly, all floral arrangements were accented with oranges and other fruits. After a ceremony on the Sunrise Patio, a reception for 130 guests was held on the hotel’s croquet lawn; chandelier-lit pergolas covered various tables for added ambiance. At the end of the night, guests were treated to a trio of smaller cakes: vanilla, red velvet and chocolate. —Carolyn Meers

Custom invites touched on the event's California-centric citrus theme, with illustrations inspired by vintage fruit labels.
Carly and Kevin assembled California-inspired welcome boxes for guests, which included fresh oranges, water and snacks.
"My bridesmaids wore a mix of dresses that I handpicked for them," Carly says. "I chose my maid of honor's dress—a print fabric—and then pulled colors from her dress for my other bridesmaids for a cohesive look."
"I chose lots of whites and peaches and then accented everything with oranges and other fruits," Carly says. Each arrangement was designed by Larissa from Inviting Occasions.
Greenery and peach and white blossoms decorated the aisle and the pergola that Carly and Kevin said their vows under.
Carly and Kevin exchanged personalized vows on the Sunset Patio at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Handwritten chalkboard signs shared the day's official Instagram hashtag with guests.
At the outdoor garden reception at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California, chic geometric chandeliers were strung over the long banquet tables to add light and cozy ambiance.
Custom-painted blue and white Mexican tiles were used as escort cards (and doubled as favors).
At the reception at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California, chandeliers and lush eucalyptus garlands were hung from wooden rafters above the long banquet tables.
Lush greens and petite oranges served as centerpieces at the garden-inspired outdoor reception at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
The Crimson Cake in Oceanside, California, designed a classic three-tier cake with orange blossoms. It included three types of cake: vanilla, chocolate and red velvet.
Carly's chic Vera Wang wedding gown matched perfectly with Kevin classically refined black tuxedo. Both ensembles added a touch of elegance to the rustically beautiful day.