1. Real Weddings

A Shabby-Chic Wedding at Rancho San Antonio in Santa Ynez Valley, California

Through antique chinaware, wooden props and vintage furniture, this shabby-chic outdoor wedding came to life at Rancho San Antonio in Santa Ynez Valle

Through antique chinaware, wooden props and vintage furniture, this shabby-chic outdoor wedding came to life at Rancho San Antonio in Santa Ynez Valley, California. Monique Kelly (31 and marketing/communications) and Shade Kelly (37 and an entrepreneur) created a warm and welcoming environment for guests through many DIY elements—from mason jars wrapped with burlap and lace to the faded wooden table numbers and personalized chalkboard signs. Monique and Shade got married at the wooden arch underneath a large tree on the property, with tree stumps holding up flower arrangements that lined the aisle. White escort tags with vintage keys dangled from thin rope, guiding guests to their tables set with chinaware that went with the day's theme. The two-tier white wedding cake ended the evening's meal on a sweet note, beaded with icing and topped with their last initial in gold. We absolutely loved the dessert bar elevated on a wooden ladder, where friends and family stopped by to pick up their share of candy and cupcakes. A tip from Monique: "Savor every minute of your wedding and spend time together kissing, laughing and making memories with your family."

Monique held an elegant bouquet filled with pastel-colored roses and carnations, arranged by Tangled Lotus. The flowers made an appearance in many of the other arrangements that decorated the outdoor space, adding a soft touch to the shabby-chic style.
Personalized Thank-You Letters
Monique fell in love with a strapless ivory Enzoani dress, accented with lace—from the beaded sweetheart neckline down the fitted silhouette.
All the bridesmaids wore knee-length dresses in an array of colors—ranging from a light pink to red. They wore the gowns in several different styles, worn with open-toe shoes.
Peach and coral roses mixed with Queen Anne's lace filled a tin pitcher, which added to the overall shabby-chic vibe. Many similar flower arrangements filled with soft-colored blooms made an appearance at the wedding as well.
'Love' Personalized Square Napkins
Classic Wooden Wedding Arch
White escort tags had guest names written in black cursive, with a vintage key attached to each. The cards dangled from thin rope, ready for guests to grab and find their seats with.
Antique green and white chinaware set at each seat contributed to the "shabby-chic tea party" atmosphere that Monique and Shade had imagined for their wedding day at Rancho San Antonio in Santa Ynez Valley, California.
Monique and Shade created many of the details that decorated the space at Rancho San Antonio in Santa Ynez Valley, California, including the white slab of wood with a number written in black displayed at each table.
Father-of-the-Bride Black Suit
During the reception, guests wandered into the barn to pick out sweets and treats from the "candy store" display. They picked from a range of candy and cupcakes boxed in colorful packaging, with a chalkboard sign that read "Love Is Sweet."
The traditional white wedding cake stood two tiers tall, with beaded icing around the bottom of each layer. The dessert had a gold topper of Monique and Shade's last-name initial, created by Solvang Bakery, which also made four other cakes served at the wedding.
Monique and Shade sat in white antique chairs at the sweetheart table, draped with white wooden "Mr." and "Mrs." signs hanging by champagne-colored ribbon.