A Bold Color Palette and Chic Fashion Wowed at This Couple’s Sherwood Country Club Wedding in Thousand Oaks, California
“Go—you never know how your life could change if you just show up.” These wise words from blogger Arianna Thomopoulos’ mother, convincing her daughter to attend an alumni event for her alma mater, were (in fact) life-changing. After missing out on meeting in college, Arianna bumped into Neil Salyards, a fellow alum, at that very university event. “I showed up and bam," gushes Arianna. And before the couple knew it, they were planning their dream wedding.
Following their private ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse during the pandemic, Arianna and Neil were excited to celebrate their love with all their friends and family. The Sherwood Country Club played host to their renewed vows and lively reception. The bride donned a romantic, lacy, bustier gown which was “the most beautiful and comfortable dress I have ever worn,” she remarks—accented with silver accessories and a soft down-do hairstyle. The groom was outfitted in a chic dusty rose suit-and-pant pairing with a crisp white shirt and matching shoes.
An air of rustic sophistication was woven into all the details of the day, creating a warm, inviting aesthetic. “We also wanted everyone to be comfortable and to show up as themselves. We wanted just the love to speak for itself.” The bold contrasts of the color palette wowed guests: the calming emerald green hues of the bridesmaids’ dresses (also found in the greenery throughout the wedding) perfectly played off the punchy pink tones of the groom and groomsmen's attire.
Besides the stunning couple, flowers were undoubtedly the stars of the day. “Neil and I wanted everything to be very rustic but bright, forest-like but fairytale,” Arianna shares, adding a piece of floral advice for other couples: “We moved florals from the ceremony to the bridal table, highly recommend that move!” The A-frame ceremony arch featured a pleasing, asymmetrical floral design with white, yellow and terra cotta blooms accented with greenery and Pampas grass.
Low centerpieces at the reception included the same kinds of flowers. “We didn’t want the tables to feel overwhelming, we wanted people to be able to sit across the table from each other and actually be able to see each other,” says Arianna. “[Our round tables] were covered in white linens and the rectangle ones were broken up, some were wood and others were covered with white linen as well.” Additionally, the bar was bedecked in white orchids and other on-theme blossoms, which friends and family were able to admire as they bellied up to grab one of the two signature cocktails: a spicy margarita (Neil’s preferred beverage) or an Aperol spritz (Arianna’s contribution).
Lucky for attendees with a sweet tooth, dinner preceded an equally delectable sweets course. “There are no words to describe the cake and the other desserts we had at our wedding. They were so delicious I actually still think about them: from the vegan, gluten-free lemon poppy seed cake to the little pies, to the churro cupcakes, waffle and bacon cupcakes, and mini chocolate chip cookies.”
Of course, the day would not have been complete without the newlyweds’ adorable dog, Tater Tot, in her own formal gown bought especially for her pet parents’ wedding. Their pup was just one of their many cherished guests—and the love was palpable from start to finish. “We took a moment in the ceremony to stop and look around to see the love that was surrounding us. We did this again during the reception privately just the two of us to really stop, take a moment and acknowledge what this day was and how incredible it was to have everyone we loved in one place.”
