A Rustic Red-and-White Wedding on a Ranch in California

A freelance art director, Satoko met Alex online, after which she showered him with thoughtful handmade cards and trinkets that, three years later, he still displays on his dresser and in his office. Not surprisingly, their September 2007 wedding at the Frankel Ranch demonstrated her passion for crafting and her love for small, personal touches.

Satoko created all the wedding stationery, including the invitation with perforated RSVP card and the silkscreened cloth invite, both enclosed in a chipboard envelope. Iconic ranch animals, such as roosters and cows, inspired the design motif.

Satoko carries a bouquet of lilies of the valley, fiddle heads, chocolate cosmos, garden roses, freesia, sweetpeas, and ranunculus.

The couple's niece Phoebe was a flower girl, while nephews Eric and Ronan were ring bearers.

Alex's cousin Stella holds a handmade paper flower.

Alex's uncle Bill, a jazz pianist, tickles the ivories.

An antique typewriter, a wedding gift, comes with a note tucked into its roller.

A bag for each guest carefully hangs on a clothesline.

Inside each bag is a program and recipe book featuring, among others, the caterer's recipes.

The couple poses with Satoko's parents, Hisako and Koichi.

A different ranch animal presides over each table, set with mismatched plates and napkins for a rustic, intimate, family-dinner vibe. Satoko bought them, along with the votive holders and centerpiece vessels, at tag sales, antiques stores, Goodwill, and the Alameda Flea Market.

Colorful tea canisters hold loose flowers.

The reception was held outdoors for a rustic setting.

Satoko and her crafty girlfriends made all the signs, including this one for the barn, where the Frankels hosted a hoedown the night before.

Alex's cousins Noah and Jack pose on haystacks and snap a photo with a remote clicker, attached to a camera.

The bride, wearing Carolina Herrera, twirls in the first dance with her groom to Jack Johnson's "Better Together." The reception was held in the horse corral, under twinkle lights.

Floral Design: Laura Miller
Catering: Rising Star Catering
Silkscreener: Karol Doi Design