Hanging lanterns lit the way for this Southern California wedding

off the shoulder wedding dress

Sam and Lindsay quickly became friends while doing monthly comedy shows for their university. They started to date while working on a summer play together, but when it came time for Sam to graduate and move to LA, they decided to break up because neither wanted to be in a long-distance relationship. The following year after Lindsay graduated, she also moved to LA where the couple met back up the first night she was there. Ultimately, Sam proposed to Lindsay on a trip to Europe last summer where, after arriving in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, he got down on one knee during a hike along the top of the mountains. Keep scrolling to see how their wedding day brought together Lindsay's fresh eye for design and the overwhelmingly warm California charm of Orange County, all captured on camera by Mandee Johnson Photography and planned with the help of Ruffle Effect.

contemporary invitation suite

Fresh, modern invitations

Bride-to-be Lindsay designed each element of their invitation suite with a focus on fresh, clean, and warm elements.

thigh high slit wedding dress

A daring yet sophisticated wedding dress

Lindsay’s wedding gown by Louvienne Bridal incorporated structural ruching with soft movement, a thigh-high slit, and classic off-the-shoulder detail. Her bouquet of roses, cosmos, and ranunculus by Ruffle Effect incorporated whites, peaches, and pops of burgundy. She paired this look with a veil with subtle pearl details for a bit of vintage glamor.

custom embroidered quote in suit for wedding wine colored suit for wedding

Customized with a quote

Groom-to-be Sam wore a burgundy suit with modern lines, inspired by his own father’s Western wedding suit of yesteryear.

Greek architecture-inspired wedding venue

A first look at a second location

For their first look, Lindsay and Sam snapped photos at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, where they posed in front of incredible Spanish-style stone architecture.

burgundy suit for groom white peach and orange flower wooden arch

custom wrapped blankets for outdoor reception

custom Mazel Tov baggies for wedding ceremony wood chairs for wedding ceremony

wedding flowers with bright yellow centers

Peachy florals and warm lantern light

The couple's laid-back but intimate celebration was hosted at the blossoming Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano, California. The outdoor ceremony faced a circular wooden altar with large installations of peachy warm florals, met by strands of bistro lights and paper lanterns. For the ceremony, the bridesmaids wore the softest touches of sage green, which was also utilized in decor and signage, and the couple provided thoughtful details such as customized light blankets and dainty baggies of petals.

fun reception entrances

Custom match boxes and Kodak moments

For the reception, Lindsay designed custom match boxes inspired by vintage soul posters to celebrate how the couple first bonded over their love of soul music. A Pinterest-worthy seating chart created in an oversized geometric design guided guests indoors where the couple’s head table sat in front of their wedding altar, decorated with joyful florals. These playful arrangements were blended throughout the guests' tablescapes and also acted as an accent for the couple’s dainty wedding cake by MCakes Sweets.

wedding cake with peach orange and white flowers