Location: Sonoma Coast, Northern California, USA
Setting: Resort
Season: Fall
How long did the couple plan the event: 13 months
Number of guests: 107
Wedding theme/style: Intimate, modern, eclectic, coastal.
Sav and Katrina are a powerful couple who love their dogvMargot, and their community of friends and family. They met online and decided to schedule their first date. After competing for who got the better drink in a bar, they decided to go out again. Eventually, they grew to love each other’s company through various bike rides, yoga classes, hikes, and one memorable night of Harry Potter fan fiction.
They wanted their wedding to reflect both of them. The couple desired clean lines with splashes of color while maintaining a cohesive color palette. “We aimed to celebrate with our loved ones and our dog while ensuring that the entire weekend was filled with joy and fun for everyone. Additionally, we wanted to showcase our vendors and gave them the freedom to showcase their expertise,” shared Sav.
Katrina and Sav drew inspiration from California’s natural landscape, blending elements of land and sea. They incorporated their love for nature, redwood trees, the ocean, hiking, and outdoor exploration into their celebration.
Working closely with their planner, they curated an event that showcased the venue’s surroundings. Using eclectic details, unique florals, and a mix of materials, they aimed to welcome guests into their lives and make them feel part of their journey. Creating a warm and intimate atmosphere, they invited guests to stay onsite at Timber Cove Resort for a weekend filled with love and celebration.
The couple aimed for stylish and comfortable attire, opting for fun, coordinated looks with pops of color. Mismatched, tailored suits for the groom’s side and similar-colored dresses for the bride’s side allowed our bridal party to express themselves.
Sav’s custom suit from Tailor’s Keep in San Francisco showcased his unique style, while Katrina found her dream dress with sleeves, tailored to perfection by Tara LaTour. Hair and makeup elevated our natural looks, and Katrina’s gold jewelry and accessories added a personal touch for the bridesmaids. Sav’s grandmother’s jewelry, including a signet ring, tied everything together beautifully, honoring cherished family memories.
In the soft glow of the coastal sunlight, the bride and groom share their first look, surrounded by the serene beauty of the vast ocean stretching into the horizon behind them. The couple carved their initials into the cliffside to their union and this breathtaking moment.
The ceremony was held outdoors in lush greenery. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow on the guests and the couple. They exchanged vows against a natural floral arch by Ash + Oak, with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
“One special thing to us was having our friends play acoustic covers of popular songs while our guests found their seats for the ceremony. The songs they played were Don’t Blame Me by Taylor Swift, Halo by Beyoncé, Everything is Alright by Motion City Soundtrack and M79 by Vampire Weekend.” shared Sav.
After the ceremony, guests were welcomed on the picturesque terrace. “We opted for a welcome brochure instead of a formal program and had the fun idea of having it written from the perspective of our dog, Margot. It had a whole set of instructions for getting her to do tricks in exchange for treats, rules for not giving her human food, and an itinerary for the weekend,“ said Katrina.
As the sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the windswept cliff, the newlyweds shared a serene moment alone. The bride’s light, curly hair and flowing dress waved gently in the ocean breeze. With their loyal dog by their side, they embraced the quiet of the fall evening and their bond.
Ash + Oak’s floral arrangements added a touch of artistry to the occasion. The lush compositions beautifully framed each scene. Their work skillfully balanced the vibrant warmth of fall with delicate textures, elevating the tablescape to a visual celebration. The careful selection of flowers and foliage created an elegant and inviting atmosphere, perfectly complementing the setting’s natural beauty.
“Our bar and food menus featured a quote from the bar where we started our infamous to us Harry Potter fan fiction date and one from Anthony Bourdain about sharing a meal with someone.” Sav shared.
The evening reception, held outdoors, was beautifully lit with strings of lights, giving the dining area a warm, inviting glow. “We didn’t have a cake for our wedding. Since we love cookies so much more, we had our favorite SF cookie spot,” the couple shared.
The indoor party was lively, featuring the couple’s first dance in a room filled with the DJ’s music. As the night wound down, guests enjoyed the comfort of a crackling outdoor fire.
Advice from the couple:
• Hire a planner if you can. We were considerably less stress when the weekend came because our planner took care of everything, kept us in the loop at every point, and checked in with us.
• Also let your vendors do their job and treat them like the creative professionals they are. Be open with them and listen to their ideas.
• Most importantly, don’t worry about the things you can’t control. Be present and soak it all in, it’s going to go by in a flash. Trust your vendors, know that something unplanned will happen, but what’s important is that you and your partner are there and present for each other. Also you’ll probably forget about whatever that unplanned thing that happened was.
FLORAL Ash+Oak | PLANNING & DESIGN Bari Elexa Events | VENUE Timber Cove Resort | PHOTOGRAPHER Amanda Pool | VIDEOGRAPHER Nice Shot Films | MUAH Raven Reed | DRESS Kinsley Couture, Tara LaTour | SUIT Tailors’ Keep | CATERING Coast Kitchen | STATIONERY Camille Robinson | SIGNAGE KristinepCalligraphy | RENTAL ENCORE Events Rentals, BBJ La Tavola | DJ Dart Collective | BRIDE & GROOM Katrina Strich, Sav
