A Rustic, Citrus-Inspired Garden Wedding at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California

Carly Salas (28 and a retail manager) met Kevin Sochacki (27 and a business manager) while they were undergrads at Purdue University. Their romance blossomed after graduation, and Kevin proposed in an herb garden in Ojai, California—a setting that inspired the bright, lush theme of their spring wedding at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe, California, just north of San Diego. For their outdoor ceremony and reception, Carly and Kevin went with a “California garden” theme that highlighted fruits grown in the southern part of the state. “We didn't have a specific palette, but I was especially interested in whites, greens, navy and hints of orange,” says Carly, who selected the bright hue for its tie to Ojai (known for its citrus fruits). Accordingly, all floral arrangements were accented with oranges and other fruits. After a ceremony on the Sunrise Patio, a reception for 130 guests was held on the hotel’s croquet lawn; chandelier-lit pergolas covered various tables for added ambiance. At the end of the night, guests were treated to a trio of smaller cakes: vanilla, red velvet and chocolate. —Carolyn Meers