Lauren, the bride, had always dreamed of getting married at the Carmel Mission. And, despite a few hiccups thanks to COVID, she finally got her dream come true! The beautiful stone structure with its warm wood elements and terracotta roof evoked that Tuscan feel that the couple wanted for their wedding. The bride wore a beautiful lace mermaid gown with tousled waves, and her bridesmaids looked stunning in emerald green ruffled, empire waist gowns. This was a beautiful, intimate affair and the couple made sure to keep the focus on being together and spending quality time with the ones they love most.
Amanda Holder Events was with this couple since they started their wedding planning journey and helped them navigate all of the ups and downs that came their way. At the end of the day, they were able to give this couple the wedding of their dreams. Swenson & Silacci Flowers designed these colorful floral arrangements that play up the warm tones of the venue with pops of bright red and other softer tones like blush and peach. These airy photos by Ellie Koleen beautifully capture all of the details from this gorgeous wedding. Having a video of their big day was also super important to Lauren and Landan, and they trusted the experts at Wild Sight Studios to do the job. You can see all of the photos from this wedding in the full gallery. Keep scrolling to read more from Amanda Holder about how everything came together to create this unforgettable day.
DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE VENUE
Lauren and Landan’s wedding was a dream come true. While we had to make significant adjustments to the venue, timing, and guest list due to Coronavirus, these two were still able to celebrate their love story. Lauren had always pictured her wedding at the historic Carmel Mission, so we held the ceremony there and reception just up the road (and by road, we mean freeway) at a family friend’s property. In terms of design, we drew inspiration from the venues themselves. Lauren wanted her color scheme to be timeless but still trendy.
A MODERN TWIST ON TRADITION
We blended traditional rental and floral design concepts, like round china cross-back chairs, with more current ideas–neon signs and velvet linens–to execute her vision perfectly. We especially loved the evergreen bridesmaids’ dresses she chose and the gentlemens’ classic black suits because they provided so much contrast against the light background of the Mission. The reception site was full of beautiful greenery and bright flowers, all set against the warm, neutral background of the estate itself. It truly felt like we arrived at a secret Italian villa hideaway.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
The fantastic photo and video teams, Ellie Koleen and Wild Sight Studios, captured everything in its light airy glory while Swenson & Silacci Flowers covered every surface in breathtaking florals. With the tumultuous, emotional year that was 2020, Lauren and Landan really wanted their wedding to feel like a big family affair. Essentially a group hug with the people they loved most because for so long, they couldn’t do so. The joy was palpable, contagious, and at times, even overwhelming. It was simply a pleasure to design and coordinate this gorgeous day for the happy couple.
