Rebecca & Kevin in Pacific Grove, CA

After meeting at a backyard barbecue as teenagers, Kevin and Rebecca became high school sweethearts and even stuck together as they attended separate colleges. After six years together, the tentative plan was to get engaged after Kevin’s graduation, before Kevin, would pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering. But two weeks before graduation, Rebecca came home from work to find Kevin standing in the entry with candles lit and her weekend bag at his side, waiting to whisk her away to Laguna Beach. He proposed on their hotel room balcony, sunset in the background and waves crashing on the shore beneath them. The Bride Rebecca Reid, 25, interior designer The Groom Kevin Loewke, 24, PhD student in mechanical engineering The Date August 5 They began planning an ocean-inspired event. For a theme the couple drew inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounded their venue from every vantage point. They translated sand, sea and seashells into a color scheme of brown, soft blue and muted coral, and used seashell images and accents at every opportunity. Touches of rattan completed the beachy feel.