The vintage motor lodge vibe of the Alamo Motel in Los Alamos, California is what inspired Chelsea and Nick to have their unique outdoor wedding right there. They kept their decor true to the theme of the Motel with 60’s inspired details and featured potted cacti and a relaxed SoCal vibe throughout.
The bride relied on her vendors to understand her vision, and they did so flawlessly. From the vibrant free-flowing florals to the custom candle favors and more, every piece of this wedding fell perfectly into place to complete her overall vision. Danielle Bacon did a stunning job capturing this day, so check out the highlights below. When you’re ready for more, don’t miss the full gallery.
RELAXED SOCAL VIBE
From the bride: I wanted it to feel like you just walked into a party in the 1960’s with touches of surfer vibe and summertime…probably makes no sense but with the help of my amazing florist, I was able to bring what I had in my mind to real life. I wanted to have an all over relaxed SoCal vibe. I was really blessed to have so many vendors who knew what I was going for without a lot of explanation.
Personal touches
Because I was the main stylist and planner (with the exception of a great day of coordinator) I tried not to take on a lot of DIY projects. My mom helped me pick out cactus for the ceremony and then Nick and I re-potted them. I was also blessed to be surrounded by talented people who added all the personal touches- like the For Scenses Candles party favors, and the awesome calligraphy name tags by Janelle Quire, Dahlia and Peony Ink.
potted cacti and bright florals
The flowers were a big part of the look I wanted to create. Amy, Desert Rose Florals, kept everything really loose and flowy. I wanted a large bouquet. A lot of people tried to discourage it, but it was probably my favorite part of my whole look. The centerpieces had pampas grass and bougainvillea which I feel really gave to the summery and chill vibe I wanted. I wanted to keep the ceremony simple, so I purchased cactus and put them in terracotta pots (which now sit by our front door) and Amy accented the table with mini cactus and succulents which I still have in my house today.
Budget + guests
Planned Budget: Approx. $20,000
Actual Budget: Approx. $25,000
Number of Guests: 80
