1. Real Weddings

An Earthy Wedding in Glen Ellen, CA

The Bride Lauren Benward, 32, works at Beltane Ranch and Steven Krause Photography The Groom Steven Krause, 46, owner and photographer for Steven Krau

The Bride Lauren Benward, 32, works at Beltane Ranch and Steven Krause Photography The Groom Steven Krause, 46, owner and photographer for Steven Krause Photography The Date July 16 Lauren and Steven really wanted to complement their venue's natural beauty, so they worked with a rustic-elegant theme and used homegrown elements, plenty of succulents and repurposed materials to complete the look they were after.

Black Bridal Shoes
Purple and white sweet peas, roses, potato vine and succulents added texture to the bridesmaid bouquets.
White farm tables made ideal blank canvases. Burlap runners were overlaid with Spanish moss and homegrown succulents.
The three flower girls wore frothy tulle dresses that Lauren's mom made.
Personalized Wine Bottles
Lauren's mom put together a delicate bouquet with Lauren's favorite flowers on the ranch: calla lilies, lobelias and maidenhair ferns.
Invitations
Large succulents lined the ceremony aisle.
Bunches of calla lilies decorated the wedding day.
The guys wore classic pocket squares and calla lily and succulent boutonnieres.
Grilled Vegetables
Mini chalkboards served as no-frills table numbers.
The couple exchanged vows beneath a giant blue oak overlooking the striking vineyards of Sonoma Valley.
Wedding Direction Sign
Before the ceremony, guests sipped on refreshing sparkling lemonade - it was set up on the Beltane Ranch's 1953 Chevy.
The three bridesmaids wore different dresses made of the same black dupioni silk. The guys coordinated in classic black tuxedos.
A mariachi band played during the cocktail hour.
Ceremony and Reception Site: Beltane Ranch, Glen Ellen, CA Photography: Kate Harrison Photography Consultant: Off the Beaten Path Weddings Gown: Angel Sanchez, Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Salon, Beverly Hills, CA Hair: Heather Lennox/Salon NOVO Makeup: Rahnie Rachelle Bridesmaid Dresses: LulaKate, Bella Bridesmaid Formalwear: Men's Wearhouse Invitations: William Arthur Flowers: Bouquets: Lauren's mom; Calla lily arrangements: Jenny Powers/Oh So Lovely Floral Designs; Tablescapes: The bride and friends Rentals: Wine Country Party & Events Cake: Michele's Corner Custom Wedding Cakes Catering: Sondra Bernstein/The Girl & The Fig Music: Ceremony guitarist: San Francisco Conservatory of Music; Cocktail hour: Mariachi Jalisco; Reception: DJ Matt Napier Registries: Cabela's; Sign of the Bear Kitchenware
Fresh calla lilies were the perfect addition to the elegant white-chocolate-ganache-frosted cake.
Black tags with a simple hole-punched design were clothespinned to an old wooden gate.