A Rustic Destination Wedding in California

Samantha Magowan and Jason Burkhart met at an art show she had curated. Though a spark was ignited, they didn't actually go out until several years later when he invited her on what would turn into a 6-hour date. Inseparable ever since, the Los Angeles-based duo (she's a fashion stylist and he's a music manager) decided to make it official April 27, 2013. Rustic elegance became the common thread through contrasting the natural and wild setting with the polish of a black tie wedding.

A custom flag waved in the wind at The Zaca Creek Ranch in Buellton, California. Set on 1500 acres of working cattle ranch, the venue showcased the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley. Samantha, who is an equestrian, knew the venue because she competes at another ranch nearby.

Mr. Boddington's Studio set the tone of the soiree with a palette of green and cream and horse and horseshoe illustrations.

Jason sported a J.Crew tuxedo, Spencer Hart shirt, Tom Ford bow tie, and Florsheim by Duckie Brown shoes, while his bride-to-be donned a nude, tulle-covered Vera Wang gown, Prada shoes, an heirloom pearl-and-diamond bracelet, and head-crowning braid.

For the black-tie event, bridesmaids wore long black gowns of their choosing, and the one gent in the bridal party sported a coordinating suit.

The only thing Samantha was really obsessed with from the moment she became engaged was the flower girls. "I think there is just nothing sweeter and more charming than flower girls at a wedding," she said. Luckily she had several willing participants: Her niece and Jason's cousins carried baskets of herbs and flowers and wore rosemary-and-rose head wreaths along with their Crewcuts by J.Crew frocks. The little ladies also spent the night following the bride around carrying her veil.

Samantha was escorted down the aisle by her father.

Programs outlined the service and were finished with patterned ribbon.

Jason's father also played a part in the ceremony, performing an original song titled "On Your Wedding Day" as a surprise to the couple. He played it on a weathered upright piano that the groomsmen helped carry across the grass to the ceremony lawn.

Samantha's mother's minister married the couple.

Clementine Floral Works, the couple's florist, hatched the idea to combine several types of herbs and flowers into a mix that guests could scoop into their own paper bags before the ceremony. They corresponded with clusters of herbs at the end of each row, and when the newlyweds walked up the aisle at the ceremony's conclusion, they were overwhelmed with the fragrant, evening air as the greenery was tossed around them.

Jason built large chalkboard signs for the reception which Samantha painted on. One outlined the signature drink offerings during cocktail hour: Pimm's Cups and Moscow Mules.

Jason spent several weeks collecting horseshoes from Samantha's barn, scrubbing, cleaning, and removing the nails so they could be used on the wedding day. They symbolized luck and the couple's love of horses. Tea-stained old manila cards were calligraphed and tied to each shoe as an escort card.

Guests feasted on a family-style dinner of warm cornbread with guacamole, slow-roasted beef tri-tip, grilled salmon with lemon and thyme, macaroni and cheese, crunchy coleslaw with lemon and fresh mint, white beans and roasted tomatoes, sautéed swiss chard with golden raisins and toasted pine nuts, and roasted beet-and-sweet-onion salad with honey Dijon dressing. Half of the menu was vegan, as noted on the printed cards at each place setting.

Samantha's mom's collection of milk glass vases and antique hand-painted vases was bulked up with apothecary jars sourced by the bride on Ebay and old tins that were rented. These unique vessels held flowers atop burlap runners on each rustic wood table, which were set with mismatched antique plates.

Tons of twinkling bistro lights hung across the lawn for dinner, casting a magical glow on the couple and their nearly 200 guests.

With perfect weather accented by a full moon, the night under the stars was everything the couple could dream of. It was made particularly memorable by Jason's grandmother's toast.

The wedding cake was understated and delicious with its yellow cake and vanilla frosting. A few fresh blooms and an old Santos crown added a bit of festivity. Other treats (including 'Lette macarons and gluten-free cookies) were set in apothecary jars and on antique serving pieces.

S'mores kits were set out by an inviting fire for guests to indulge their sweet tooth further. Many of Jason's musical instruments were also on hand so skilled guests could play tunes after dinner.

Photography: Matt Edge

Location: Zaca Creek Ranch

Catering: Michele Economou

Flowers: Clementine Floral Works

Officiant: Rev. Diane Monti-Catania of Salisbury Congregational Church

Stationery: Mr. Boddington's Studio

Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher

Cake: The Butter End Cakery

Macarons: 'Lette

Music: Corey Gemme and the Dixiebop Quartet

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals; Archive Rentals; Dish Wish

Makeup: Heather Cvar

Lighting: Ambient Event Design