A retro-boho palette, vintage records from Detroit, and a pink classic car set the tone for Annie and Eddie’s vibrant backyard wedding in San Juan Capistrano. Planned by Megan of Louise & Third, the celebration mixed nostalgic charm with bold color and musical personality. From a ceremony in the historic Serra Chapel to dancing under disco balls and tassel pendants, every moment felt like a joyful nod to the couple’s story and style.
Location: California, USA
Style: Colorful, retro, boho
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Private estate
Season: Fall
Annie and Eddie first met as kids at science camp, but it wasn’t until 15 years later that a mutual friend reintroduced them in 2018. A year into dating, they left California to start a new chapter together in Detroit. On one Christmas Eve, Eddie proposed during a walk through the Mission Grounds in San Juan Capistrano—a place filled with memories from Annie’s childhood. “It was there that he got down on one knee and asked Annie to spend the rest of her life with him. She obviously said yes!” shared Megan, the planner.
Bridal Morning
Annie’s wedding morning started slow and joyful, surrounded by her bridal party in matching pastel pajamas as they toasted with pink cocktails in vintage coupes. The soft light and relaxed energy of the getting-ready space gave the morning a dreamy, retro feel—perfectly aligned with the wedding’s colorful, nostalgic aesthetic. Her bridesmaids later slipped into silky sage and olive green dresses in varied styles, each carrying warm-toned bouquets that reflected the floral palette of the day.
Annie chose an elegant off-the-shoulder dress by Rita Vinieris, with long sleeves and a clean, structured silhouette that brought out a sense of quiet sophistication. She paired it with a cathedral-length veil embroidered in a style reminiscent of the Mission Grounds where Eddie proposed—a detail close to her heart.
Her light pink Badgley Mischka heels with tulle bows added a playful softness to the look, while a pearl bracelet, made from her great-grandmother’s necklace, carried sentimental weight. Her bouquet by Layered Vintage featured zinnias, garden roses, and marigolds in deep saffron, orange, and rose shades—a perfect match for the vibrant wedding vision.
Groom's Fashion
Eddie spent the morning with his groomsmen in a serene corner of the estate, getting ready in sharp black tuxedos while he stood out in a custom white tuxedo jacket tailored by Dandy Detroit. His look balanced classic and contemporary—crisp black trousers, a bow tie, and polished Gucci lace-ups—while a boutonnière in warm peach and rose tones echoed the wedding’s color palette. A ring passed down from his grandfather added a meaningful final detail to his outfit.
First Look
Annie and Eddie’s first look unfolded in front of the ivy-covered stone facade of the estate, where the peaceful atmosphere gave them space to take in the moment together. As Annie stepped toward Eddie with her bouquet in hand and veil trailing behind, he turned to see her for the first time that day—his smile said everything. The gentle way he helped her down the steps, adjusting her dress and taking her hand, made this private moment feel both tender and grounding. They walked through the garden slowly, soaking in the excitement before heading to the chapel.
The quiet intimacy of their first look was beautifully captured by JS Rhos, whose mix of digital and film photography gave the images a nostalgic softness while still feeling fresh and modern. The contrast of crisp portraits with light-leaked film shots created a sense of story and movement—perfectly reflecting the emotional rhythm of the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at the historic Serra Chapel, built in 1782 on the grounds of the San Juan Capistrano Mission, a setting filled with meaning for Annie. Surrounded by intricate gold altars and soft floral arrangements in warm hues, the couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic Mass. Music from the church’s organist, violinist, and cantor echoed from the balcony above, adding a rich, emotional layer to the moment. A lighthearted twist came when the couple realized the wedding rings had been left behind—family members quickly stepped in, offering their own rings so the ceremony could continue without pause. Annie and Eddie left the chapel beaming, giddy as they climbed into her father’s pink classic car.
"After arriving to the chapel, Annie and Eddie realized the wedding rings had been left behind. Family members jumped to the rescue and gave their rings to be used in the ceremony. It was smooth sailing from there!"
Reception Decor
The reception took place in the backyard of Annie’s grandparents’ estate, where Louise & Third brought the couple’s colorful retro-boho vision to life. The layout combined lounge areas with woven chairs and mustard velvet sofas, long banquet tables under string lights, and vibrant tabletop settings filled with textured layers. Each place was set with batik-style linens, scalloped woven placemats, peach and blush menus, and twisted taper candles. The floral arrangements added playful pops of coral, saffron, and dusty rose—mirroring the tones in Annie’s bouquet and the overall palette of the day.
A Piaggio beer cart from Bubbles and Brews OC offered a rotating selection of craft beers, while the custom escort display by Wildhouse Ink featured vinyl records, a nod to the couple’s love for music and their life in Detroit. Disco balls above the display hinted at the dancing to come. With layered textures, bold color choices, and mid-century-inspired rentals from Folklore and Catalog Atelier, the entire setting captured the joyful, nostalgic energy the couple imagined from the very start.
“Annie’s dad raised her and her siblings on oldies and classic rock, and they’ve bonded over music her entire life. So we incorporated some musical inspiration into the setting.”
Cocktail Hour
During cocktail hour, guests gathered around a vintage-style bar framed by vibrant florals and signage that read “Drinks On Us,” choosing between Annie’s guava coconut margarita or Eddie’s favorite, a Bramble. The couple even poured their own beers from the craft taps on the cart, a playful nod to their shared love of beer. A colorful grazing table invited everyone to snack on fresh fruits, cheeses, and charcuterie, while friends flipped through curated vinyl records—many handpicked by Annie’s dad. The atmosphere felt relaxed and fun, with plenty of laughs and music filling the air as the sun dipped lower over the garden.
"Annie was eager to find a way to get her father more involved in planning and tasked him with collecting vinyl records from Detroit artists. These were set out on display for guests to look through and chose to take home as their favor!"
Private Moment
Before joining their guests for the evening celebration, Annie and Eddie took a quiet walk through the garden, just the two of them. Annie had changed into a second dress—a sleek ivory silhouette with floral appliqués on the sleeves, which gave her look a softer, more playful vibe. They sat together on a mustard velvet sofa, kissed, laughed, and took in the moment. The simplicity of this pause, away from the crowd, let them reconnect before the party picked up again.
"Make sure to take a moment together during your wedding day to take everything in."
Reception
As the sun set over the estate, guests gathered under glowing string lights for dinner and heartfelt toasts. Annie and Eddie shared their first dance to “If Not For You” by George Harrison, surrounded by family and friends under a floral-covered pergola. The lighting installation above them—woven rattan and tasseled pendants—cast a soft, vintage glow over the dance floor.
Later in the evening, the couple cut into a buttercream cake by M Cakes Sweets, decorated with pressed florals that mirrored the day’s color palette. The dessert table also featured an assortment of mini sweets served in glass cups, perfect for guests to grab before heading back to the dance floor. The couple’s relaxed joy showed in every moment—hugging, laughing, and feeding each other a bite of cake.
The celebration carried into the night as guests danced beneath disco balls and swaying pendant lights. The live band from Lucky Devils Band brought energy and rhythm, keeping the dance floor full until the very end. Laughter echoed from lounge areas, plates were cleared from tables, and cocktails still clinked as the backyard transformed into a glowing garden party. It was a warm, joyful finish to a wedding that was stylish, personal, and full of heart.
"After 6 years together, and then the anticipation all morning, to be able to say “I Do” in front of those who meant the most was truly special."
Advice from the couple:
• When people tell you that your wedding day goes by fast, they really mean it! At the end of the night, which was actually very early in the morning, we stay up even longer to just talk and laugh about everything that had happened and what a joyous whirlwind it was.
PLANNER Louise & Third | VENUE Private estate | PHOTOGRAPHER JS Rhos | FLORALS Layered Vintage | MUAH Flawless Faces | DRESS Rita Vinieris | SHOES Badgley Mischka | SUIT Dandy Detroit | CATERING 24 Carrots Catering | BAR Bubbles and Brews OC | CAKE M Cakes Sweets | STATIONERY Copper Willow Paper Studio | SIGNAGE & DISPLAY Wildhouse Ink | RENTALS Folklore Event Rentals, MTB Event Rentals | LINENS BBJ La Tavola, Hostess Haven | TABLETOP RENTALS Catalog Atelier | ENTERTAINMENT Lucky Devils Band | DANCE FLOOR Trejo Dance Floors | LIGHTING SD Socialights | VALET American Parking and Services | SHUTTLES Best VIP | RESTROOMS Vanguard Sanitation
