Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Seasonal Weddings
  6. Summer Weddings
  7. A Fun, Colorful Wedding in Guerneville, California
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Fun, Colorful Wedding in Guerneville, California

contributor-nicole-harris-0316.jpg
By Nicole Harris
Skip gallery slides
Pin
molly adam wedding yay
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

The three-day celebration had a pink, orange, navy, and gold color palette that was inspired by the couple's stationery suite.

Start Slideshow

1 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
molly adam wedding couple yay
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

In 2013, Adam lived in the same building as one of Molly's best friends, and the pair crossed paths occasionally. One night, they found themselves at the same cocktail party, where they flirted and stole some smooches. Two weeks later, they went on their first date. A year later, the couple moved in together. "I remember during the early days thinking that he was marriage material, and that being a little scary because I knew if we kept moving forward it could very well end in something serious," says Molly, a clinical audiologist.

Eighteen months into their cohabitation, Adam, who co-founded a machine learning company, planned a secret proposal in their hometown of San Francisco. He rented a hotel room at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in Nob Hill. "He claimed we were just staycationing, but when I walked into a hotel room with rose petals on the floor and champagne on ice, I knew I only had a few seconds to gather my thoughts before everything changed," says Molly. Adam got down on one knee and popped the question, then the engaged pair celebrated with a private dinner delivered to their room and a night out with friends.

On July 2, 2016, Adam and Molly tied the knot at Dawn Ranch Resort in Guerneville, California. The weekend celebration with 150 guests featured fun-loving decorations, colorful floral arrangements, and bountiful patterns.

1 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Stationery Suite

molly adam wedding stationery
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
The Loveliest Watercolor Wedding Invitations

Jack & Ginger Studios planned the whole wedding, and they created the stationery suite to be both fun and modern. Watercolor, illustrated accents, and spot calligraphy were incorporated into the various pieces, which were created in shades of white, navy, pink, and gold. The colorful design inspired the overall wedding aesthetic.

2 of 23

3 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Venue

molly adam wedding venue
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
6 Things to Consider Before Choosing Guest Accommodations

Although Molly and Adam love their hometown of San Francisco, its unpredictable weather didn't lend itself to a warm outdoor wedding. They decided to head 1.5 hours away to Dawn Ranch Resort in Guerneville, California—the perfect backdrop for their welcome barbeque, pool party, wedding, and other weekend festivities. Since the resort has 52 cabins, a majority of guests stayed at the venue, making the entire celebration feel like summer camp. According to the bride, "Guerneville itself is a small but very cute town with some great restaurant and bar options. It was fun to walk down the main road to get coffee and bump into wedding guests along the way!"

3 of 23

Advertisement

4 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

All Dressed Up

molly adam wedding couple on bridge
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Inbal Dror designed Molly's strapless lace-embroidered wedding dress with a trumpet skirt and sweetheart neckline. "I tried on my gown on my second outing, and I knew immediately that I felt like a million bucks," says Molly. After debating whether it was too over-the-top for the relaxed venue, she tried on another 20 to 30 options before coming back to it. "The second time I put it on, I was 100% sure. It just made me feel incredible!" she says. The bride also wore a Lelet NY jeweled comb, BHLDN veil, diamond bracelet from her mother-in-law as her "something borrowed," and Nektar de Stagni spiked pearl earrings.

Adam wore a custom blue suit, Knot Standard white shirt, and pink Ted Baker tie. He also donned a gold tie clip reading "Best Day Ever," which Molly gifted on the morning of the wedding.

4 of 23

5 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bridal Accessories

molly adam wedding shoes brass knuckles
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

"Bridal shoes are hard. To be honest, I never found the 'perfect shoe,' so instead, I decided to go with something that I knew I could dance in," says Molly. She chose comfortable and strappy Badgley Mischka heels. Florist Erin Rochelle DeYoung of Scarlett & Grace also made brass knuckles, which Molly wore after the ceremony. "They were so badass and also gorgeous!" she says.

5 of 23

6 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Rings

molly adam wedding rings
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
How to Buy a Wedding Band You’ll Love

While dating, Molly and Adam visited friends in Los Angeles, and they took an unexpected trip to a jewelry store. "It was very impromptu and Molly blacked out a little bit because looking at rings is a big deal," says Adam. "We had talked about marriage very theoretically, but this made Molly realize that things were getting real." Luckily, he paid attention to the styles Molly liked, and he ordered a stunning engagement ring from Diamond Foundry. "I love my ring so much," Molly says. "I think it looks like a flower crown for my finger."

As for wedding bands, Molly chose a gold piece from Bon Levy Fine Jewelry, and she loves how it contrasts with her silver engagement ring. Adam opted for a band made out of a three billion-year-old meteor with preserved wood on the inside, which he found on Etsy. "To me, the ring represents not only love but longevity and life," he says.

6 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Bouquet

molly adam wedding bride bouquet
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Scarlett & Grace created Molly's bouquet with peonies, ranunculus, thistle, gloriosas, pitcher plants, and scabiosa.

7 of 23

8 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony Site

molly adam wedding ceremony
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
51 Beautiful Chuppahs from Jewish Weddings

The ceremony took place in a meadow at Dawn Ranch Resort, which was flanked by tall redwood trees. Chuppah Studio supplied a modern white structure with eyelet detailing.

8 of 23

9 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Aisle

molly adam wedding aisle petals
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Scarlett & Grace arranged flower petals in a geometric pattern down the aisle; the design mimicked the shape of the dinner tables.

9 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony

molly adam wedding ceremony glass
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

"The ceremony was the perfect amount of religion, family, friends, and love surrounded by towering redwood trees in a perfectly green field on a sunny California day!" summarizes the bride. First, the couple's families processed to "Electric Love" by Borns, then Molly's dad walked her down the aisle to a cover of "Higher Love" by James Vincent McMorrow. Since Adam is Jewish and Molly is half-Jewish, they decided on a Jewish ceremony that wasn't super traditional. Their rabbi (a family friend) incorporated some Jewish rituals, like circling the groom and breaking the glass. "We did our own version of the seven blessings, where we asked seven people to come up and say a blessing during the ceremony, alternating with the traditional blessings," says Molly. In lieu of vows, the couple read the words on their ketubah (a Jewish marriage contract) to their guests.

10 of 23

11 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fun Signage

molly adam wedding yay
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

To add to the fun atmosphere, Molly's aunt created flags printed with the word "Yay!" Guests waved them throughout the ceremony. "I really wanted our wedding to feel fun, young, and fresh. 'Yay!' totally expressed how we felt about the day," says the bride.

11 of 23

12 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Recessional

molly adam wedding recessional
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

The newlyweds recessed up the aisle to Prince's "Kiss."

12 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktail Hour

molly adam wedding guests
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
25 Cocktail Hour Ideas from Real Weddings

After the ceremony, guests attended cocktail hour at Dawn Ranch Resort's orchard, where they enjoyed cocktails and food. Passed hors d'oeuvres included grilled squash bruschetta, marinated pulled pork, smoked salmon on potato latkes, and filet mignon with bleu cheese and caramelized onions. "This is when I put my sunglasses on, switched to my brass knuckle bouquet, and really relaxed!" says Molly.

13 of 23

14 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Seating Chart

molly adam wedding seating chart
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
25 Unique Wedding Seating Charts to Guide Guests to Their Tables

An acrylic seating chart with pink brushstroke accents directed guests to their dinner tables. "I thought of the wedding like the biggest dinner party I have ever hosted, and I actually really enjoyed creating the 'perfect' combinations of friends and family at each table," says Molly.

14 of 23

15 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Reception

The reception took place by the property's pool. Wooden farmhouse tables were adorned with runners sewn by Molly's mom. Some runners featured a watercolor design by Eskayel, while others were made from a simple gold and white fabric. Navy placemats and clear glassware balanced the bright pink and orange color palette. "I really wanted everything to feel cohesive but not matchy-matchy, which is why we used so many different patterns and prints and a range of colors within our palette," says Molly.

Dawn Ranch Resort catered a dinner of chopped vegetable salad, pan-seared California sea bass, and roasted chicken breast with Yukon Gold potato puree.

15 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Colorful Blooms

molly adam wedding centerpiece
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Colorful floral arrangements by Scarlett & Grace set in lush gold vases served as centerpieces.

16 of 23

17 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Geometric Accents

molly adam wedding centerpiece
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

In addition to the flowers, modern geometric shapes with flowers inside decorated the tables.

17 of 23

18 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Place Settings

molly adam wedding place setting
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

At each setting, personalized navy mats doubled as place cards. Gold "love" and "xoxo" paperweights from West Elm were scattered on the tables. Wedding planner Jack & Ginger Studios originally suggested placing them on the head table, but Molly loved them so much, she decided to use them throughout the reception. "I have since been giving them away as housewarming gifts and also loaned them to my sister-in-law for her wedding!" says Molly.

Molly and her mom made party crackers for each guest as a nod to a British holiday tradition. They were filled with paper crowns in the wedding colors (navy, gold, pink, and orange), custom flash tattoos, and silly toys like finger monsters, flashing rings, and miniature slinkies. Biodegradable confetti burst from the contraptions after opening.

18 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Fun-Loving Bunch

molly adam wedding reception guests
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Molly says the party crackers were her favorite element of the day. "I had visions of everyone crossing arms, breaking them and seeing little bits of confetti floating in the air, everyone wearing their paper crowns throughout dinner, and putting on the custom flash tattoos I had made. Well, that is exactly how it went down, and it was just perfection!" she says.

19 of 23

20 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Pictures

molly adam wedding couple carry bride
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Marissa Maharaj took portraits of the newlyweds throughout the celebration, including right after dinner, when the setting sun created the perfect lighting.

20 of 23

21 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Cakes

molly adam wedding cake
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
52 Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence

Knead to Make baked three cakes for the couple: a 12-inch almond cake with grapefruit zest buttercream and passion fruit curd (which they cut into), a 10-inch red wine chocolate cake with mascarpone and fresh blackberries, and this eight-inch butter cake with salted caramel buttercream. Florist Scarlett & Grace provided fresh flowers for decoration. "The cakes were actually so amazing that there were no leftovers!" says Molly.

21 of 23

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dancing Through the Night

molly adam wedding reception
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Molly and Adam danced to "I've Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing, one of Molly's favorite films. Adam credits the first dance as his favorite moment of the day. "We hired a choreographer to help us prepare and did our own variation of the song!" he says. The couple also danced to the hora, and guests literally broke the wooden dance floor by jumping along to "I Love It" by Icona Pop.

The next day, guests continued the three-day wedding celebration with a champagne-fueled river float, a BBQ, and a July Fourth fireworks display. Then Molly and Adam headed to Africa for their honeymoon, where they went on a safari, visited wine country, and saw Victoria Falls.

22 of 23

23 of 23

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

molly adam wedding couple kiss
Credit: Marissa Maharaj

Photography, Marissa Maharaj

Location and Catering, Dawn Ranch Lodge

Event planning and stationery, Jack & Ginger Studios

Flowers, Scarlett & Grace

Officiant, Rabbi Tsvi Bar-David

Cake, Knead to Make

Music, DJ Odiaka

Rentals, Encore Event Rentals (tables, chairs, cutlery, dishware, glassware, napkins); Archive Rentals (Lounge Furniture)

Bride's gown, Inbal Dror

Bride's accessories, Badgley Mischka (shoes); Lelet NY (jeweled comb); BHLDN (veil); Nektar de Stagni (earrings)

Hair and Makeup, Angela Nunnink

Groom's accessories, Knot Standard (white shirt); Ted Baker (tie)

Lighting, Grapevine Party Rentals

Ice cream cart, Nimble & Finns

23 of 23

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Nicole Harris

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • A Colorful Fall Wedding in Aspen, Colorado
    • What Should You Wear to a Low-Key Bridal Shower?
    • Brooklyn Beckham Just Revealed How He Felt the Moment He Saw Nicola Peltz in Her Wedding Dress
    • Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Shared a Sweet Kiss at His Polo Match
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 23
    2 of 23 The Stationery Suite
    3 of 23 The Venue
    4 of 23 All Dressed Up
    5 of 23 Bridal Accessories
    6 of 23 The Rings
    7 of 23 The Bouquet
    8 of 23 The Ceremony Site
    9 of 23 The Aisle
    10 of 23 The Ceremony
    11 of 23 Fun Signage
    12 of 23 The Recessional
    13 of 23 Cocktail Hour
    14 of 23 The Seating Chart
    15 of 23 The Reception
    16 of 23 Colorful Blooms
    17 of 23 Geometric Accents
    18 of 23 The Place Settings
    19 of 23 A Fun-Loving Bunch
    20 of 23 The Pictures
    21 of 23 The Cakes
    22 of 23 Dancing Through the Night
    23 of 23 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    A Fun, Colorful Wedding in Guerneville, California
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.