A Vibrant, Whimsical Outdoor Destination Wedding in California

Eunice Moyle and Daniel James worked around the corner from each other in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, eating -- but never meeting -- at the same Mexican restaurant. Eunice, meanwhile, reluctantly agreed to try three months of online dating at the urging of her sister. Her self-imposed deadline quickly arrived, and she was poised to log out of the site forever when Daniel James came a-courting. A year and a half later, Daniel proposed. On May 9, 2009, friends and family assembled at Wilbur Hot Springs, a solar-powered, off-the-grid hotel about two hours north of Napa for a carnival-like weekend wedding.

Here, lush centerpieces by Sharla Flock Designs set peonies, garden roses, jasmine vine, lilacs, dusty miller foliage, anemones, foxglove, and metallic leaves in trophies and vintage vessels. Purple and fuchsia "crackers" serve as place cards; guests pull the ends to release treats. Calligrapher Michele Papineau, papineaucalligraphy.com hand lettered all of the cracker bands with guests' names.

Eunice Moyle -- in a spectacular dress hand-stitched by friend Iain Harris Bartlett -- and Daniel James steal the scene. Many details of the wedding, including the stage for the ceremony, were inspired by images from photographer Tim Walker. The stage was built by Because We Can and designed by the bride.

The bride collaborated with textile artist Joel Dewberry to fashion playing cards, part of a welcome gift to guests staying at the hot springs.

To help wedding-goers keep cool, Hello!Lucky printed programs on paddle fans.

Hello!Lucky created vellum bags of Ecofetti to toss during the recessional are displayed in a wire basket for guests to take.

The menu for the reception was written on a chalkboard by calligrapher Michele Papineau and displayed next to the basket of programs printed on fans.

Bridesmaid Stashia Cabral tries on a prop hat from the photo booth, provided by Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

Eunice mingled Victorian and woodland fairy-tale aesthetics for her letterpress stationery suite and information booklet. Calligrapher Michele Papineau embellished the envelopes with beautiful gold calligraphy.

Flower girl Lily Wertheim, in a J.Crew dress and paper crown, enjoys a lollipop and homemade caramel corn.

Homemade caramel corn was put in customized by Hello!Lucky containers for guests to indulge in.

Eunice and Daniel served guests donut holes in bags with custom labels. The donut holes were prepared by the San Francisco-based caterer and event-design company Fork & Spoon Productions. Photo by Sara Remington.

The bridesmaids' bouquets of creamy roses and dusty miller are wrapped with fabric from their silk dupioni dresses.

The festivities started early as guests, holding animal puppets aloft, marched in a whimsical and raucous parade to the ceremony site.

The festive ceremony procession was inspired by an otherworldly photo by Tim Walker of kids parading with animals on sticks. The puppets were created by Because We Can and designed by the bride.

Eunice and her friend Tricia Roush, of House of Nines Design created the ring pillow.

The couple asked Daniel's father, Allan James, to officiate because of his air of seriousness and dry wit.

Eunice decorated the pews at the ceremony with crepe-paper bouquets she made herself. Photo by Gia Canali.

Hot-pink peonies, purple anemones, dusty miller, and a few feathers, as well as vintage metallic and fabric leaves, make up Eunice's bouquet, by Sharla Flock Designs.

The ebullient newlyweds recess to The Beatles's "All You Need Is Love."

Flea market finds like the cigar box, ceramic rabbit, and vintage photo album lend the guest-book table rustic charm.

Pal and hatmaker Tricia Roush crafted colorful cockades, which the groomsmen wore as boutonnieres.

Parasols offer guests protection from the sun.

One of the younger guests takes a stroll and takes advantage of the parasols provided for guests.

Friend David Klaphaak ladles a mug of sparkling blackberry lemonade.

A couple of the guests enjoy one of the signature cocktails served at the reception.

One of the bridesmaids looks at the creative seating chart to locate her table.

The seating chart matches names to tables, which are identified by animals instead of numbers.

The bride and the groom take a break for some photos. The wedding photography was done by by Gia Canali with Sara Remington.

Eunice made the garlands of pom-poms from coffee filters that she hand-dyed. Servers are dressed in bistro aprons and Russian naval shirts.

The newlyweds dance to "Dream a Little Dream." Lighting by Creative Lighting.

Eunice wanted fabulous shoes without giving up on comfort. So she found a pair of simple gold flats that she decided to embellish to make them her own. Photo by Emily Nathan.

Guests square dance, which is just one of the fun elements Eunice integrated into the wedding reception.

The guests form lines to take part in the square dancing at the reception.

On the menu: fried green tomatoes with olive and cherry-tomato relish by caterer Fork & Spoon Productions.

The balsawood topper fabricated by Publique Living and perched on a Tahitian vanilla and mocha buttercream cake by Inticing Creations, replicates the illustration of the couple from their save-the-date.

A scrumptious pie bar with signage.

Warm and cozy blankets were provided for guests as the weather cooled down.

A view of the reception tent lit up at night. Tents by Zephyr Tents and lighting by Creative Lighting.

Location: Wilbur Hot Springs
Event Planning: Lisa Feldman Design
Catering & Cake: Fork & Spoon Productions
Calligraphy: Michele Papineau
Flowers: Sharla Flock Designs
Stationery: Hello!Lucky; Joel Dewberry
Music: JimBo Trout and the Fish People; Amy Hofer (square dance caller)
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth
Stage, Puppets, Signs & Other Wood Props: Because We Can
Tent and Rentals: Zephyr Tents
Lighting: Creative Lighting
Gown: Iain Harris Bartlett
Bridesmaids Attire: Al's Attire; Jessica Bobillot; Jennifer Behr
Menswear: Al's Attire
Hair and Makeup: Meaganne McCandess
Photography: Gia Canali with Sara Remington