1. Real Weddings

A Bold Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in San Rafael, California

Carolyn Glidden (31 and a special education teacher) met Scott Worthington (33 and an MBA student) while working for the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso,

Carolyn Glidden (31 and a special education teacher) met Scott Worthington (33 and an MBA student) while working for the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso, in western Africa. “I was a science teacher in a rural village school, and he was a small business-development volunteer in a larger city,” Carolyn says. “There are no secrets in a village, and my friends predicted this marriage years ago.” The couple opted for a modern yellow-and-green backyard wedding for 95 at Scott’s parents’ mid-century modern home in San Rafael, California. “Scott and I are really drawn to clean, modern design. In terms of style, we wanted the day to feel elegant but not too ornate or fussy.” Neutral pale woods, crisp whites and yellows further brightened the event. “We wanted the flexibility of a private venue and liked the intimate, low-key vibe of a backyard wedding,” Carolyn says. Modern white Eames-style chairs were set up for the ceremony—they doubled as chairs for the reception dinner—and neutral stone vases held pale yellow king proteas and lots of greenery. “Scott’s parents’ house had such a beautiful backdrop that we didn’t need to accessorize very much,” Carolyn says. —Carolyn Meers

Hawthorn Flower Studio brought Carolyn's modern, colorful vision to life. “As the main decoration of our wedding, the flowers made everything look amazing,” says Carolyn, who chose simple golden mimosas for the boutonnieres.
Flower girls wore simple white dresses and yellow flower crowns. “The flower girls requested dresses that they could twirl in, which we gladly obliged,” Carolyn says.
Carolyn's square-heeled sandals had just a touch of yellow—tying them into the day's color scheme.
Hawthorn Flower Studio designed Carolyn's leafy green bouquet, which had touches of yellow blossoms.
Carolyn's bridesmaids donned ivory and subtle gray-blue gowns of varying style. Delicate lace was a common thread that drew them together.
White Eames-style chairs were used at the ceremony and doubled as seating at the reception at Scott's parents' home in San Rafael, California.
Modern white Eames-style chairs were set up for the backyard ceremony—they doubled as chairs for the reception dinner—and neutral stone vases held pale yellow king proteas and lots of greenery. “Scott’s parents’ house had such a beautiful backdrop that we didn’t need to accessorize very much.”
Printed materials—including these place cards—were in various modern typefaces and justified in a square or rectangle.
During the extended cocktail hour, Libations Unlimited served drinks from a retro wooden trailer that had been converted into a portable bar.
At the reception, long wooden banquet tables used white chairs from the ceremony as seating. Tables were topped with clear vases of fresh fernlike greens. Yellow napkins added a pop of color.
At the reception, long wooden banquet tables were topped with clear vases of fresh fernlike greens. Yellow napkins added a pop of color.
Guests enjoyed passed appetizers during the cocktail hour.
The night's menu was printed in modern typography and displayed amid the centerpieces on the long tables.
The long wooden dinner tables used white chairs from the ceremony as seating and were topped with clear vases filled with fresh ferns and greens. Yellow napkins added a pop of color.
At the reception, long wooden banquet tables were topped with clear vases of fresh fernlike greens. Yellow napkins added a pop of color. String lighting hung overhead.
Floating light globes added flair to the backyard pool. “It was fun and festive and turned out to be a really memorable part of the design,” Carolyn says.