A Romantic California Wedding with Vintage Touches & Incredible Florals

The courtship of Rebecca Dunlevy and Nikolas Takacs had all the makings of a digital-age romantic comedy. First, the online meeting: a pixelated encounter via Match.com. Then, after two dates, the mobile miscommunication in which Nik discussed his dating life in a text meant for his sister—but accidentally sent to Rebecca. The snafu might have derailed a less practical couple (they're both lawyers), but they remained undeterred. "By the third date, we knew things were becoming more serious," says Rebecca.

That confidence endured throughout another all-too-familiar trapping of modern love: the long-distance love story. After they'd dated for two years and lived together in New York City for seven months, Nik accepted a job in St. Louis; Rebecca stayed on as a prosecutor in the Bronx. They made their relationship work by visiting each other every three weeks or so—for more than two years. The secret? "We've always been good about communicating," says Nik. (In a cinematic bit of irony, however, on the day Nik proposed, Rebecca's phone died and she was unable to locate him; as he waited in the appointed meeting spot, she was stuck in a nearby Starbucks charging the battery.)

Still, the skill proved useful when they dived into wedding planning far from their chosen destination in Santa Barbara, where Rebecca's family has a home. Seeking a lush garden setting, Rebecca and Nik chose the Upper Estate Lawn at San Ysidro Ranch, which has views of both the mountains and the sea.

The wedding reflected the glamour of a bygone era. "We both love Gilded Age ambience and classic cocktails," says Rebecca. The ceremony and reception spaces were accented with red— Rebecca's favorite color—and a nod to her premarried initials. The nondenominational ceremony invoked a range of traditions, starting with the bride's younger sister singing lyrics from a German love poem and ending with an English blessing. In between, 120 guests looked on as the couple recited vows based on those spoken by generations before them. Even in a modern world, after all, some things don't need updating.

Watch Rebecca and Nikolas’s Wedding Film by Elysium Productions

The gardens and lemon grove at San Ysidro Ranch inspired the invitation suite, created by Julie Song Ink. It featured a watercolor-flower motif, gold-foil hand-calligraphed lettering, and letterpress type.

The bride shared a happy moment with her maid and matron of honor—her sisters, Kara Dunlevy (left) and Jessica Henning (right). Each carried a rose garland (made by Mindy Rice Design) instead of a bouquet. The sleeves on the bride's Jenny Packham gown recalled those on her mother's wedding dress.

Rebecca's bridesmaids wore gowns by Jenny Yoo and Adrianna Papell for Bhldn. Nik's niece served as flower girl and wore a Watters dress.

Instead of something blue, the bride wore her favorite color shoes by Valentino, in keeping with the evening's palette.

Nik opted for a simple gold wedding band, while the nostalgic cut of Rebecca's oval engagement ring recalled the Gilded Age theme of the couple's nuptials.

Nik and Rebecca recited their vows under an arbor of bougainvillea vines on San Ysidro Ranch's Upper Estate Lawn. The non-denominational ceremony ended with an English blessing and included a reading by Nik's grandmother, Carolyn Wagner, and a song performed by Rebecca's sister, Kara.

Nik counted his three sisters as groomsmen in the bridal party. "Because we both only have sisters and I wanted to include them in the wedding, we had them on my side so that the numbers would even out." His nephew, wearing J.Crew, served as ring bearer.

Calligraphed Lucite escort cards, which resembled cut crystal, helped guests find their seats at dinner.

Guests—and the mother of the bride (center)—were encouraged to wear red.

The tablescapes paired gold-rimmed plates and other gilded details, and accented them with lemons, figs, and pomegranates.

The wedding cake by Lele Patisserie, stunning with crimson blooms, alternated tiers of red velvet with whipped chocolate ganache and banana sponge with vanilla cream-cheese frosting.

At the reception, Rebecca surprised Nik by replacing a traditional groom's cake with a cheese tower embellished with citrus, a reference to San Ysidro Ranch's lemon grove.

For their first dance, Nik and Rebecca waltzed to Nat "King" Cole's rendition of "Fascination."

Location and catering, San Ysidro Ranch

Event planning and design, Alexandra Kolendrianos

Floral and event design, Mindy Rice Design

Photography, The de Jaureguis

Videography, Elysium Productions

Officiant, Reverend Dr. Jon Ireland

Stationery and calligraphy, Julie Song Ink

Cake, Lele Patisserie

Music, Bob Gail Special Events

Rentals, Casa de Perrin; Found Vintage Rentals; La Tavola Fine Linen; Town & Country Event Rentals

Bride's gown, Jenny Packham

Bride's accessories, Halo & Co. headpiece; Girl with a Serious Dream veil; Poli Trading Company necklace, engagement ring, and wedding band; Valentino shoes

Hair and makeup, Team Hair & Makeup

Bridesmaids' dresses, Jenny Yoo; Adrianna Papell for Bhldn

Flower-girl dresses, Watters

Ring-bearer attire, J.Crew

Groom's tuxedo, Armani Collezioni

Groom's accessories, Le Noeud Papillon bow tie; Andreas Gorges Tailoring custom shirt; A Suitable Wardrobe shoes; Poli Trading Company wedding ring

Transportation, Gold Coast Limousines

Lighting, Images by Lighting

Restrooms, MarBorg Industries