Post Ranch Inn Wedding in Big Sur – Wedding Planner Turns Bride

Erin Lepperd
August 31, 2018
Categories: Real Weddings, Romantic

From the bride, Callista of Callista & Company….. When your life revolves around weddings, as mine does, it is a challenging task to plan your own in a way that feels distinct from the rest of your beautiful clients’ big days. I will admit, I had to remind myself on more than one occasion that I was indeed… the Bride.

With a background in fashion, I knew my dress would be a very important component of my wedding day. My struggle in being the bride-to-be was instantaneously eased when I walked into the Monique Lhuillier flagship boutique in Los Angeles for the first time after our engagement. I struggled in narrowing down my favorites, but ultimately chose Stella, an allover lace, ivory, cap sleeve sheath.

After a major spinal surgery in high school, I was left with a collection of scars that I embrace, but that I didn’t want to be a focus on the wedding day. The talented team at Monique Lhuillier crafted the covered lace back of the dress and I felt truly comfortable.

With the very scary Sobranes fire seriously threatening the area, we were left watching and waiting in the weeks leading up to our wedding, as we saw the fire creep closer and closer to our venues. Just a week prior to the wedding, the fire was contained enough for Ventana and Post Ranch Inn to reopen, and we could not have felt more fortunate.

My brother, Alexander, could not have been a better Best Man to Jonathan, and I would have been lost without my sister and Maid of Honor, Mary, by my side.

We cannot thank our families enough for their inspiration, encouragement, and support! At my mom and dad’s 30th anniversary party, they were gifted a bottle of champagne from my dad’s best man with a vintage year of their wedding. My dad popped open the bottle during our wedding dinner to share amongst family and friends — such a very special moment!

We chose a redwood tree as our logo due to the striking coastal redwood forests at our wedding destination. The longevity of the redwood tree is a symbol for our marriage standing the test of time. Our redwood logo was carried throughout our stationery, featured on our welcome boxes, on handmade leather coasters, as well as on custom wooden taster boards holding a selection of local craft beers at our welcome reception for each of our guests.

On the dinner table, Heath Ceramics plates sat atop vintage wooden chargers, which were complimented by brushed gold and wood flatware, and elegant gold-rimmed glassware from Casa de Perrin. The dinner centerpieces showcased the dreamiest deep golden mustard roses from Studio Mondine.

One of the reasons why I love being a wedding planner is because I naturally prefer to be behind the scenes, ensuring every detail is perfect, and allowing those around me to shine in the spotlight while I take in the moment from the sidelines. As with all my couples, the personal details were paramount in our planning process. All our stationery was produced on handmade, 100% recycled cotton paper by Silk & Willow, an exceptional and ethical business located in Hudson Valley, New York where both of our families originated.

After all our blessings, we wanted a way to give back, and The Good Beginning registry was the perfect opportunity for us to do so. The Good Beginning allowed us to select a few of our favorite charities, made it simple for our guests to donate, and for us to thank those who so generously contributed to our amazing day!

Last, but certainly not least, we sought out creative partners with warm personalities complementing their talents, and we could not have pulled off any of the above without the most incredible team. Words cannot express our gratitude to Lacie Hansen, Soarking Starkey, Amanda and Ivanka at Studio Mondine, Felipe, Elizabeth, Rachel, Ben & the incredible staff at Post Ranch Inn, Kenney at Fellini Salon, Daniel Tran, Libby & the Casa de Perrin team, Jill & Annie at Copper Willow Paper Studio, Lindsay at La Tavola, Sophia at Ventana, Sharon & Efi at Monique Lhuillier, Elan Artists, Viri & the Chic Event Rentals team, Kimberly & Sara at The Butter End Cakery, Jake at Carmel Valley Honey, Marie-Claude at The Wood Gift Box, Main Event Transportation, Blue Sky Papers, Mary at Tiffany & Co., Duke at Neiman Marcus, Beth & The Good Beginning team, Ted at Legacy Brand Leather, Shellie at Silk & Willow, Cindy at Larkspur Hill, Stephanie at Salt Root Soaps Co., TreasureFox, Edelweiss Post, GubbaGumma, Jenni & Ben Mueller at A Vintage Parcel, and every single other person who went above and beyond to make our wedding such a wonderful success. We are forever grateful.

So many more images from the awesome Lacie Hansen in the full gallery!