A Rustic, DIY Wedding at Santa Margarita Ranch in Santa Margarita, California

Brandy Hill (33 and a senior account manager) and Brock Hill (28 and an operations manager) were introduced by one of his close childhood friends and one her best friends. They all met one night for drinks and Brandy and Brock were instantly drawn to one another. “Our conversation was so refreshing, engaging, and free flowing,” says Brandy. After a few casual run-ins, Brock took the plunge and asked Brandy to lunch. The couple ended up spending the entire day together and from that point forward, were inseparable. “From the moment I met Brock, I knew he was different. He never failed to open my door, walk me to my car or express his sincere feelings for me and because of this I immediately felt respected and adored,” says Brandy. “His adventurous spirit, positive disposition, and accepting nature were overwhelmingly refreshing and left me always desiring more time with him. It didn’t take long to realize Brock was someone special, unlike any other, who blessed my life immensely and motivated me to be better without uttering a word.”Starting on their six-month anniversary, Brock began giving Brandy one card a week, filled with sweet messages that expressed how he felt about her and a stanza from a poem. On New Year’s Eve, while driving up to Tahoe to ring in celebrate with friends, the couple made a quick stop to take in the views at Lake Tahoe. Standing on the pier looking out at the water and the snow-covered shores, Brock presented Brandy with the final card. “As I went to open it, I noticed this one was different. He had written my first, middle, and last names on the envelope, immediately implying a more serious tone,” says Brandy. “I began to read the card, but my eyes could only focus on one thing – the beautiful question at the bottom – ‘Will you be mine forever?’ After what seemed like an eternity, I looked over to find him on one knee and he asked me again. Of course, my answer was yes!” When they got back to the car, Brock handed Brandy a stack of cards, notes and letters from their closest family and friends. He had asked each of them to write Brandy a note giving their love, support and congratulations. Brandy and Brock’s wedding was truly a labor of love. The couple enlisted the help of their closest family and friends to bring their elegant, rustic vision to life. The couple opted to host the affair at the Santa Margarita Ranch in Santa Margarita, CA, the historic stone bar offering a quaint, cozy setting for a day of celebrating with their loved ones. “Being from a small country town in Idaho, I wanted something that felt like home,” says Brandy. “The first time we set eyes on the Santa Margarita Ranch, it was love at first sight! Not only is their barn a masterpiece; their ceremony site, with its huge oak tree, white picket fence and windmill, took my breath away and literally brought tears to my eyes.” Brandy’s mother and father handcrafted everything from the wooden signs, the quilted guest book, mouth-watering hand pies served for dessert and wooden boxes used for the floral arrangements. They even made a batch of homemade caramels for guests to take home as favors. Details like handmade paper airplanes, which guests threw as the newlyweds exited the ceremony, and date night ideas from their family and friends reflected the couple as individuals as well as a couple, giving the day an extra special touch. “I love that a large part of our wedding was completely homemade,” says Brandy. “Not only did we save money, we were able to incorporate elements that highlighted our personalities. The entire process became much more special because we were able to spend time with friends and family on all the projects, making our day that much more meaningful.”