A Romantic, Garden Wedding at Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross, California

Though they had known each other through friends since high school, Alexandria Rubio (a tech industry revenue manager) and Juan Francisco Herrera (a construction worker) met in earnest at a concert five years ago. "We hit it off instantly," Alexandria says. Over the next three years, the couple explored the world together. On a trip to Spain, Juan proposed at the Cathedral of Barcelona. The couple's love of travel and nature shone through their wedding at Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross, California. "We wanted as much of our wedding outside as possible given the summer weather and beautiful garden setting," says Alexandria, whose dress fit the verdant location; its lacy top layer was imprinted with silhouettes of orchid blossoms. Some 180 guests looked on as Alexandria and Juan exchanged vows on a lush lawn, under a gazebo decorated with silk curtains fixed with bundles of garden roses, hydrangeas and dahlias—the same flowers used in the bridal party's bouquets. Gardenias, the favorite flower of Alexandria's late mother, were included in the bouquets and adorned the hair of the bride and bridesmaids. A troupe of Spanish-style singers provided live music during cocktail hour, before guests found their seats via burlap-wrapped succulents escort cards. Each table was identified with a place that the couple had visited together, including Maui, Spain and Venice Beach. At the end of the night, Alexandria and Juan made their grand exit through a glowing tunnel of sparklers held high by their friends and family. —Carolyn Meers