Oh MAN, what a cool wedding! Don’t get too excited if you love this venue because there’s not a chance that you can get married here. This was truly a once in a lifetime event, and I feel so privileged that I got to be a part of it! Heather and Ryan had an incredible vision for their wedding day and they completely pulled it off. Ryan’s parents own the ranch and were such gracious hosts. They cleared the barn and turned it into the coolest reception space. I loved all of the little rustic details in every corner and the flowers and cake looked straight out of a magazine. Their color palette and wedding-party coordination was also magazine worthy. Heather’s Matron of Honor, Holly, was one of my brides from 2014, so it was so fun to get to see her switch places with Heather. They are the coolest sisters and take really great care of each other.
I think the “win” for best/most sentimental/beautiful detail goes to Heather’s gown as it was the very same dress that her mother was married in. She modernized it a bit, but you can still see the gorgeous gown that Cathy wore in 1986 when see it on Heather. It was a really special moment when Cathy discovered the secret patch that Heather had sewn inside of the dress reading “Like Mother, Like Daughter”. Right? Despite what I say later about Heather not being a crier, I definitely saw some when she was getting into her dress.
The ceremony site overlooked the mountains as the sun lowered. Pretty darn romantic guys. All of the guests sat on hay bales which amazing entertained the kids quite a bit as they waited. Ryan’s mom made a homemade outfit for their pug Toogie, of whom I have a ridiculous number of adorable photos. Like, enough to write a whole blog about the coolest pug that I ever met. I can still hear him breathing heavily after walking down the aisle as Heather and her dad approached. Priceless. Literally.
I was warned in our planning meetings that Ryan was probably going to be the crier, but I loved how passionately he cried while Heather barely shed a tear. It was pretty consistent throughout the whole day from the first look to the the reception, that Ryan was crying and Heather was laughing. After the ceremony, they planned a little memory walk through a tree grove where their favorite photos from their relationship were hung to guide the way. They even set up a little pit stop bar half way through – don’t you wish you were a guest at this wedding?! At the end of the hike snacks, more drinks, and lawn games were waiting. As if that wasn’t enough to win the “best wedding” award, they had the band Raising Cain getting people on the dance floor. I could write so much more about every great moment that Ryan (from Elevate – not the groom) and I were lucky enough to experience, but I know that what you really want to do is see these pictures!
Many of Heather and Ryan’s vendors were their awesome (and very talented) friends!
Gown design: The Sewing Room – Kirsten Arvenitis
Caterer: Obie’s Fillin’ Station
Bakery: Handcraft Bakery
Florist: Richelle Reilly
Videographer: Eric Heiland
Hair Stylist: Corrina Salvaggione
