Rustic Elegance California Wedding from Florabella + Todd Rafalovich
After first checking out this fête, captured by Todd Rafalovich Photography, I felt as though I had just stumbled across a romantic tea party for 100 in the woods. This California wedding, sent to us by the fabulous floral designer, Florabella, looks like it was such a fantastic affair. The aforementioned, fabulous florals, the sweet summer color palette, the romantic venue – it’s all the perfect equation to a beautiful night spent dancing under the stars. And I can only imagine that is how the lucky couple spent their evening. When you’re ready for more, click here for the gallery!
Matthew and I both wanted an outdoor wedding that was unique and fit our personalities. We both love to travel around upstate New York exploring barn sales, farmers markets, and finding hidden treasures in Flea markets scattered throughout Brooklyn, NY. It was with the theme of “Rustic Elegance,” “Farmers Markets,” and my desire to marry in my home state of California, that the idea of exchanging our vows under majestic Redwood trees was the ideal setting. So after searching many locations, we chose a venue where the ceremony and dinner would all be outdoors in a breathtaking Redwood tree grove. Dancing and desert would follow in a rustic lodge on the property with festive paper lanterns setting the scene for hours of dancing.
There is something magical and mysterious about mixing new things with the old. The theme took on an image filled with local delicacies, summer flowers in their brightest form, and elegant simplicity. Bridesmaids were in a beautiful blue silk dresses and the groomsmen and Groom wore orange and blue stripe ties. Everyone was framed by brown and green Redwood trees and the colors just popped. The flowers were bright yellow sunflowers, orange Dahlias, green hydrangeas, mixed with berries and fresh herbs like mint and Rosemary. Our wedding inspiration would not have been possible without the hard work of all of our family and fabulous vendors!
Matthew’s father and Godfather, both Lutheran ministers, performed the ceremony. Matthew’s best man (his brother) and my matron of honor (sister in law) both read passages during the ceremony. Additionally, Matthew’s sister and brother in law sang one of our favorite songs as part of the ceremony. During the ceremony, I wore a veil made from her Great Grandmother’s wedding gown that had also been worn by my Grandmother and mother. My borrowed and something blue took the form of an Aquamarine necklace left to my mother’s family by my grandmother and a Victorian pearl pin from my father’s mother.
Looking back there are so many wonderful memories from the day and the year leading up to the wedding. We were thrilled to be able to exchange our vows in front of our dearest family and friends in such a majestic setting. Every moment of the day was filled with joy and happiness. We have just received our photographer’s proofs and are having a wonderful time going through them and re-living the day’s moments, even the moments we were not an apart of. So far some of our favorites include Matthew proposing as a way to get me to share my French fries, our friends and family have an amazing time, and a photo of all of family and friends standing in the redwood ceremony site together immediately after the ceremony.
Wedding Planning + Floral & Event Design: Florabella / Photographer: Todd Rafalovich Photography / Event Designer & Planner: Florabella / Invitation Designer: Florabella / Cake/Desserts: Studio Cake / Wedding Gown Designer: Marisa, purchased at Kleinfeld /Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Lula Kate / Jewelry & Veil: Grandmother’s veil and Aquamarine and Pearl Necklace
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7 Comments about “Rustic Elegance California Wedding from Florabella + Todd Rafalovich”
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Venue please!! I love the grove so much.
Hi Kara! I'll check on the venue name for you!
@Kara, the venue is actually a private club in Woodside, CA. Sorry I can't help more!
The flowers are stunning!! Love the redwood grove and outdoor tables!!
Wow, Venue looks great! Was the venue at Nestledown, in Los Gatos?
What an amazing wedding! I love the feel and texture of it. Just beautiful!
It is really an amazing Wedding. Great Floral Decoration. Great Flowers.