1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Romantic Wedding at Shady Canyon Golf Club in Irvine, California

Anne St. Geme, 27,  a professional runner and project manager at Stanford University and Garrett Beck, 27, co-founder of Asseta, a San Francisco start

Anne St. Geme, 27,  a professional runner and project manager at Stanford University and Garrett Beck, 27, co-founder of Asseta, a San Francisco start-up, met at a beach house party, where Garrett says Anne didn't give him the time of day. But, thanks to a strong sense of determination and perseverance, Garrett didn't give up, and a year later convinced Anne to go on a date to the race track. Four years later, on a trip to New York City, Garrett popped the question before the pair entered a rooftop restaurant. "We walked up to the rooftop to celebrate with champagne and phone calls to family. NYC will definitely always have a special place in my heart now," says Anne. With the help of planner Brooke Keegan of Brooke Keegan Weddings and Events, Anne and Garrett molded an ever-evolving design concept into a classic, yet casually elegant outdoor soiree in an Earth tone color palette with blush accents. "I drew inspiration from Tuscan destination weddings and European garden parties. I wanted overflowing white florals (peonies, hydrangeas and garden roses), with an emphasis on silvery greenery, like olive branches. We wanted the natural canyon setting to add to the look and feel." Anne classic aesthetic was reflected in the decor's Italian pedestal wooden tables and bars, clean, white linens and garden-inspired furniture vignettes -- decorated in overflowing floral arrangements -- and an eclectic array of tabletop vessels. "I didn't ask for a Super Moon (a naturally-occurring larger-than-normal full moon), but we got lucky with one!" says Anne.

"While invitations and paper goods were a priority, I didn't want them to break the bank!" says Anne. "I knew I wanted simple, classic invitations, but was blown away by how difficult it was to find just that. I knew I wanted a calligraphy-like font, a classic, romantic monogram that could transcend the wedding details (and the test of time!), letterpress and heavy stock and a crisp white and gray color scheme."
Christian Louboutin White Bridal Shoes
"I gave my sisters free reign over what they wanted to wear, but none of them ran with that! So we made it more of a collaborative effort," says Anne. "They all loved the Amsale tulle dress collection and the idea that each could choose a silhouette that most flattered their own physique. I knew I wanted a pale blush or slate/grey, but given it was a summer wedding, we went with the blush."
Bridesmaids in Silk Robes Getting Ready
"I was raised in the Catholic faith and always knew I would be married in the Church," says Anne. "Garrett and I decided that, both being from Orange County, it made most sense to get married at my family’s church, Our Lady Queen of Angels, in Newport Beach."
"Like every detail of the wedding," says Anne, "I wanted an effortlessly classic, romantic look and feel to both my hair and makeup. But I also wanted to look fresh and youthful!"
"For my flowers, I was all about greenery and organic, wild arrangements—ranunculus, garden roses. The messy-yet-put-together look all-around," says Anne. "I didn't want anything too coiffed."
"The groomsmen boutonnieres each included a ranunculus and some silver greenery," says Anne.
"I decided to keep my bridal party to my four sisters," says Anne. "I wanted the bridesmaids’ bouquets to include pops of blush, but mimic my own bouquet."
"We asked Garrett’s nieces, Stella and Dace, and my cousin, Liam, to serve as our flower girls and ring bearer," says Anne. "They were such troopers! Stella and Dace wore tulle-skirted white dresses by Olivia Kate Couture from Etsy."
"We added two pedestal arrangements by the altar, chock-full of olive branches and wild white and blush blooms," says Anne. "I wanted the wild, arguably unruly florals to juxtapose the buttoned-up, formal church environment."
"From the get-go, I knew I wanted to create a custom monogram to use across my paper goods and details. We used it on the invite, the program, the olive oil bottles, the menus, the cocktail napkins, the ring pillow, the matchboxes, as well as the gift bags for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The details were spread out throughout the day enough that I didn’t feel it overwhelmed people; rather, it pulled details together."
"Our wedding took place in the new and improved contemporary-style Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church at 3pm. The church architecture was so beautiful and dramatic that it didn’t require much!" says Anne. "I asked two close friends to greet people at the door and pass out programs, displayed on a vintage silver platter, as guests arrived; meanwhile, Garrett had three friends serve as escorts."
Bride and Groom Wedding Shoes
"Our favors were rosemary-infused olive oil bottles and individual olive loaves from a local bakery. I loved the idea of doubling the olive oil bottles as escort cards, having guests find their bottle, and then be greeted at their seat by a pairing loaf. Personalized menus also doubled as place cards," says Anne.
"One of the home runs of the night was definitely the Moscow Mules in their signature copper mugs (a guest favorite -- my mother-in-law bought 100 mugs, as we couldn’t find anyone who would rent them, which she then resold to wedding guests over the months following the wedding)," says Anne.
Rustic Bar Setup with Leaf Garland
Bride and Groom Antique Love Seat
"From the Mediterranean-inspired architecture, to the cocktail patio overlooking the golf course, to the event lawn with a private backyard feel, I was instantly sold on Shady Canyon Golf Club. It really was the blank canvas I was seeking out," says Anne of her outdoor reception venue.
Bride and Groom Outdoor First Dance
Bride and Groom Wedding Reception Kiss
Reception Cafe Lighting Dance Floor
Whiskey Tasting Reception Bar
"I loved Monique Lhuillier's ethereal, romantic, feminine designs, and the moment I stepped out in her Sentimental gown, I knew it was the perfect fit!" says Anne.