A Casual Mountain Wedding at Arroyo Hondo Preserve in Santa Barbara, California

Man became one with nature at the wedding of Penny and Tom at Arroyo Hondo Preserve in Santa Barbara, California. With an outdoor ceremony utilizing the canyon as the backdrop, Penny's childhood memories came back to life with the love and support of the couple's friends and family. "It was also very evocative of my dad and my grandmother, both of whom had recently passed away. They were both very much present in that space," says Penny. Because the ceremony and reception were outdoors, Penny and Tom chose comfortable fashions for their big day. Penny shined in a thin chiffon gown with a v-neckline while Tom sported a neutral gray suit. "I chose a fairly simple dress, floor length but with no train to drag on the ground," says Penny. Because the wedding was on a canyon, Penny and Tom wanted to provide as much ranch style cuisine as possible for their guests, which means barbecue. From grilled sausages, corn and other veggies, the couple's friends and family enjoyed authentic Santa Maria delights. "For dessert, rather than lug a cake up the canyon, we had a selection of brownies, cookies, rice krispy treats, and baklava. An ecclectic selection, but delicious," says Penny. A tip from the bride: "We found that keeping everything imaginable recorded in google spreadsheets kept us in line. We could both access it, anywhere anytime, and also share relevant bits with others easily," says Penny.