Surrounded by hills, sunlight, and their closest people, Meg and Kevin’s wedding at Carmel Valley Ranch felt like a late-summer dream in Northern California. With an open-air ceremony, a dinner under string lights, and dancing beneath the stars, the entire weekend reflected the couple’s love for nature, family, and meaningful details — all beautifully brought to life by Coastside Couture.
Location: Carmel Valley, California, USA
Style: Classic, subtle, natural
Time of planning: 19 months
Number of guests: 160
Setting: Ranch
Season: Fall
Meg and Kevin met in middle school and started dating in high school. “We are both from the Bay Area and moved to Dallas for college, dated all throughout college, and then moved to New York immediately after,” they shared. Now living together in Los Angeles with their dog Scarlett, they love being back on the West Coast. “We, and our dog Scarlett, love living by the beach and being more connected to nature.”
Kevin proposed on a trip to Costa Rica — a place full of meaning for Meg, where her parents own a home and where they had shared one of their first getaways as a couple.
Welcome Dinner
The welcome dinner captured everything Meg and Kevin wanted their weekend to represent — a relaxed, beautiful gathering surrounded by nature and their favorite people. Guests sat at long vineyard-view tables dressed in ivory linen, scattered with bright lemons, fresh artichokes, wildflowers, and woven wicker bottles that hinted at the Italian countryside. Candlelight flickered between simple place cards and local white wines, while heartfelt toasts filled the air with laughter. Coastside Couture kept every detail thoughtful and warm, balancing laid-back charm with just enough structure to feel special.
"We wanted guests to walk away feeling our love for each other and for them – and all of the choices we made in the design of the wedding were made to complement that feeling."
Meg wore a romantic spaghetti-strap ivory dress with floral appliqué, her long hair softly styled and gold jewelry catching the last of the sun. Kevin chose a relaxed light linen suit paired with loafers and an open shirt — a timeless look that matched the golden tones of the landscape. They strolled through the vineyard hand-in-hand, stealing moments with a parasol in the evening sun.
Bridal Morning
Meg’s morning began surrounded by flowers, heirlooms, and the women who know her best. The air felt calm but joyful as she slipped into her Danielle Frankel dress — a piece she had always dreamed of wearing. “I always knew that I wanted to wear a Danielle Frankel dress as I have always been drawn to her styles,” she said. The tailored silhouette paired effortlessly with her sleek, high bun, a hairstyle she’s worn for years and feels most confident in. A delicate lace-trimmed veil framed her face and added a timeless touch, especially when paired with her pearl and emerald necklace gifted by her grandmother.
Her Manolo Blahnik heels felt bold but entirely her, and each piece of jewelry told a piece of her story — rings and a tennis bracelet from her great-grandmother, earrings gifted by Kevin for their ten-year anniversary, and a diamond from his late mother, now at the center of her engagement ring. “Every piece of jewelry I wore on my wedding day had a special meaning to me,” Meg shared.
She carried a bouquet of cosmos and white blooms tied with a long bow made from a lace piece passed down through generations. “Everyone has worn it in different ways… and I wore it tied in a long draping bow around my flowers.” The morning was filled with laughter, tears, and wide-eyed joy from her bridesmaids, who wore deep green satin dresses and held bouquets of wild daisies.
Groom's Fashion
Kevin spent the morning getting ready with his groomsmen, sharing laughs and final touches before stepping into a polished black-tie look. He wore a sharp black tuxedo with a cream dinner jacket — a classic look chosen piece by piece from different sources. His boutonniere featured a single white rose — his late mother’s favorite flower — as a quiet, heartfelt tribute. Before heading out, he took a moment alone to reread his handwritten vows, grounding himself in the emotions of the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in an open meadow framed by tall trees and soft golden light. Guests found their seats on wooden benches surrounded by ground arrangements of delicate white blooms and greenery, designed to feel like they were growing right out of the earth. “We kept our ceremony decor minimal with florals that looked like they were growing out of the ground and an imperfect arch made of greenery and florals that elevated the already beautiful meadow,” the couple shared. Chamomile confetti cones and parasols added thoughtful touches while perfectly blending into the natural surroundings. The setting felt simple, grounded, and calm — just as they had imagined.
The ceremony itself was deeply emotional. Children – ring bearers, and flower girls in white with soft green bows, walked the path before Meg, who entered on the arms of both parents, carrying a bouquet tied with heirloom lace. Meg and Kevin exchanged handwritten vows in front of family and friends. “Although it was hard to say so much when you’re feeling so many emotions, we wouldn’t have changed a thing,” Meg told. As soon as they were pronounced husband and wife, they laughed through tears. “The feeling that we felt walking back up the aisle after the ceremony was so unbelievably blissful.”
"We were laughing and crying at the same time out of pure joy and it was such an energizing moment."
Private Moment
After the ceremony, Meg and Kevin slipped away for a quiet walk through the vineyards — just the two of them, finally married. Golden light poured over the hills as they held hands, laughed, and kissed beneath the softening sky. In these still moments, love was undeniable. Mike Larson captured every glance, every close embrace, and the ease between them with a softness that mirrored the light around them.
“We wanted the weekend overall to feel natural — whether that was in our floral choices, our preference for candid photos over posed ones, or the natural ease of our relationship. Natural is our motto.”
Decor & Setting
The reception decor captured everything Meg and Kevin envisioned — understated, elegant, and completely in sync with the natural setting. Under strings of café lights, round tables were covered in soft ticking-stripe linens and surrounded by wooden cross-back chairs. Seascape Flowers filled ceramic vases with airy arrangements of white cosmos, chamomile, and soft greenery that echoed the ceremony florals. Each place setting had dark green napkins embroidered with guests’ names and tied with velvet ribbon, sitting beside custom menus that matched the soft green-and-white palette.
Everything felt intentionally connected, thanks to Coastside Couture, who made sure each detail flowed seamlessly — from the invitation suite to the embroidered napkins, down to the personalized bottles of rosemary-infused olive oil that greeted guests as favors. It was refined without being overdone, thoughtful but not fussy — a setting that made guests feel welcome, comfortable, and completely immersed in the moment.
Reception
The reception began in the open air, right where the ceremony had taken place — on the green lawns of Carmel Valley Ranch, framed by rolling hills and golden light. Meg and Kevin stepped straight onto the dance floor for their first dance, surrounded by guests cheering, clapping, and wiping away tears. The energy was instant — hugs, laughter, and applause echoed around them as friends and family gathered close, holding up glasses in celebration.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, guests settled into dinner. Toasts flowed from family and friends, filled with stories, emotion, and so much laughter. Parents spoke with heartfelt joy, and the speeches kept the energy warm and personal. With the live band playing softly in the background, the whole evening unfolded with a kind of ease that made everyone stay fully present. From that first dance to the final toast, the entire celebration felt close, natural, and full of gratitude.
"It was so special to be surrounded by all of our favorite people in that moment too."
Night Celebration
The cake cutting happened just as the night fell and the string lights began to glow. Meg and Kevin stood beside a small, white, two-tier cake adorned with delicate sugar flowers and piping that matched the soft, natural tone of the day. They laughed as they fed each other the first bites — no formalities, just pure fun — holding champagne flutes and grinning at their guests as everyone cheered.
Afterward, they returned to the dance floor for their second first dance — this time to their chosen song, “You & Me” by the Dave Matthews Band. “After the fact, we’ve said that having two first dances was one of our favorite parts of the night,” they shared. The band played live, and this dance under the stars felt even more intimate than the first. From there, the dancing never stopped. Friends lifted them into the air, guests surrounded them in every direction, and the energy stayed high well into the night.
When it was finally time to say goodbye, Meg and Kevin made their way through a tunnel of bubbles, blown by guests both young and old. The air sparkled with light and laughter as they kissed one last time in the middle of the crowd. Then, they hopped into the back of her parents’ blue Mini Cooper convertible and waved as they drove off — a perfect ending to a day they’ll never forget.
"We loved our vendor team and venue!! Wouldn’t have changed a single thing! We couldn't have envisioned a better weekend – and we mean that sincerely!"
PLANNER Coastside Couture | VENUE Carmel Valley Ranch | PHOTOGRAPHER Mike Larson | VIDEOGRAPHER Spencer Sarson | FLORALS Seascape Flowers | MUAH Blush Hair and Make Up | LINENS BBJ La Tavola | RENTALS Standard Event Rentals
