1. Real Weddings

A Northern California Preppy Wedding in Santa Rosa, CA

This Dallas-based couple returned to Sonoma, a vacation spot they know and love, for their outdoor fete that joined elegant prep with laid-back Califo

This Dallas-based couple returned to Sonoma, a vacation spot they know and love, for their outdoor fete that joined elegant prep with laid-back California cool. Crisp stripes, classic colors and glass accents shared the stage with the scenic venue, which offered a grand olive orchard, tons of greenery and, of course, lots of wine (guests even autographed magnums that will age accordingly for the couple’s 5th, 10th and 15th anniversaries). The Bride Stephanie The Groom Michael A flush of gorgeous flowers in every shade of pink took a variety of forms, from Stephanie’s fluffy bouquet of garden-fresh peonies and roses to the clever petal-adorned shade that topped an antique lamp. Topiary baskets and lush archways rounded out the array of feminine floral treatments.

Cocktail Hour
The couple’s favorite colors (pink for her, blue for him) were a harmonious pair that made planner Todd Fiscus very happy. “A wedding is about a woman and a man, but very often brides get carried away with pink, and it can end up looking too sweet 16,” says Fiscus. “So it’s important to balance the soft, girlier shades with a more masculine complement.” But don’t stop there—each area, from the tablescapes to the menus, should aim to mix male and female sensibilities.
Pink and White Bridal Bouquet
First Dance
To create a seamless environment from start to finish, Fiscus approaches his events as if he were designing rooms in a house—each part of the wedding should connect visually to the one before. He’s also big on bringing in actual interior design elements like pillows, blankets and cocktail tables. “People never sit for long at dinner,” says Fiscus. “I look to give them comfortable places, like the ottomans I set around the fire pit, where they can meet and mingle.”
Classic Boutonniere
White & Blue Menu Cards
It’s easy to fall in love with a million and one different ideas, but that doesn’t mean you need to use all of them, warns Fiscus. Choose no more than five to seven major touchpoints that relate to one another in some way. For this wedding, the statement florals, preppy color scheme and organic elements, like willow-wrapped banisters and vases of fruit, all tied together to create a consistent and clear presentation. Too many details and they’ll just end up lost in a jumbled mess.
Four Layer Wedding Cake
Outdoor Ceremony
Monogram Chair Decor
Lounge Area
Hydrangeas
Navy, Light Blue, Pink and Chestnut Color Palette