Big Sur Wedding by John + Louise Weddings

This wedding is simply the epitome of romance and I’m super excited to share all the DIY details and drop dead gorgeous images from John + Louise Weddings with all of you. This adorable couple met just three months before they decided to tie the knot in an intimate, seaside ceremony with their closest friends and family. I’m loving the billy balls, the tables with centerpieces of overflowing herbs and succulents, and the sweet little fact that this bride and groom chose to have their rings blessed with well wishes by all the guests just before they were slipped onto each other’s fingers. See even more here.

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From John + Louise WeddingsLiya and Scott got engaged after meeting and falling madly in love over the course of three months. And while I wouldn’t encourage most people to take such a hasty step toward the alter, it was perfectly clear that Liya and Scott had every reason to be tying the knot. Their love was palpable and their wedding was a joy to photograph.

On a very tight budget, the couple put together this beautiful and charming small wedding with a ceremony on the beach in Big Sur and a dinner reception at the Big Sur Bakery. Every inch of the wedding reflected their admiration for nature and all things rustic, simple and pleasurable. Mix that with Liya’s timeless, elegant style and you have a wedding that is both classic and unique.

During the ceremony, they were literally surrounded by their closest friends and family in a tight knit circle. The ceremony was led by one of Scott’s closest friends, who wrote and sang a song especially for them. Later the guests passed around the rings in a nest, homemade by Liya, and bestowed their blessings and wishes for the couple’s future before the rings were placed on each others fingers. At the reception, guests typed their guestbook pages on a vintage typewriter that belonged to Scott’s grandfather and took pictures of each other to hang with clothespins on a tree. All the centerpieces, featuring herbs and succulents, were handmade by Liya and potted in old wooden cheese boxes, also belonging to Scott’s grandfather.

At the end of the evening, it felt like being at summer camp with everyone crowding around the campfire, sharing stories and reveling in the magic of love. The families and friends had all just met and it seemed like they had known each other forever. I feel incredibly honored to have gotten to be part of such a special and joyous union and I hope the images capture just a tenth of what it felt like to be there.

Ceremony Location: Pfeiffer Beach / Reception Location + Catering: Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant / Bride’s Shoes: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew / Hair Consultant: Yvonne of Pretty Pretty Collective / Centerpieces: The Bride / Decorations: The Bride with Save-On-Crafts supplies / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier + Naeem Khan (skirt) / Hairpiece: The Bride / Bouquet + Boutonnieres: Sea & Aster / Music: DJ Dianamatic / Wedding Photography: John + Louise Weddings