Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Real Weddings Wedding Styles Seasonal Weddings Summer Weddings A Bohemian Summer Wedding in California's Wine Country By Sara Dickinson Sara Dickinson Instagram Sara is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 12, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Ashley Ludaescher Photography Jena Wilson and Donny Myrick started dating in middle school but spent years apart while they were away at college. During a two-week window when Jena was home on break, her friend made it her mission to reconnect the pair—the couple essentially picked up right where they left off. "It was on this night that I sat talking to Jena until five in the morning that I knew my feelings for her never left," Donny says. After dating for another three years, Donny planned a surprise proposal during a trip to a winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. "We got there and about 30 seconds into our tour we were being shown this romantic underground cave," Jena remembers. "I walked into a room with my engagement ring set on the table with candles." The best part? Donny popped the question with both of their families present ("They all drove out an hour to be there," says the bride) to witness the big moment. Even though Jena works as the Director of Events at her family's ranch, Greengate Ranch and Vineyard, where the pair hosted their wedding, the couple enlisted Kelsey from A Lovely Creative to make sure their big-day design and execution was flawless. The newlyweds, and the 150 guests who joined them for their boho-inspired vineyard wedding on August 18, 2018, maintain that everything about the event was picture perfect, the result of a team of incredible vendors. "Something that was also super meaningful to me was that all of our vendors are people we can call friends. I knew my guests were in great hands, being served delicious food and amazing drinks by genuinely nice people that we have formed personal relationships with through working in the industry," says Jena. As for her best advice for all brides-to-be? "Give yourself time to adjust and relax. If you haven't handled everything at least a week before your wedding, don't feel bad asking someone for help—and delegate some tasks," she adds. "You have no idea how your body and mind will react to such a big life event!" 01 of 21 The Engagement Ring Ashley Ludaescher Photography Donny customized a five stone engagement ring for Jena, featuring an assortment of gray and white diamonds in the center. The diamonds on each end of the main setting were taken from a tennis bracelet that Jena's father once gifted her mother. The Etiquette of Proposing with an Heirloom Engagement Ring 02 of 21 The Invites Ashley Ludaescher Photography The overall style for the big day was inspired by an Instagram photo Jena and her planner came across, which featured statement-making rattan light fixtures. With the aim to incorporate natural wood and woven elements into the invitation suites, Prim & Pixie designed taupe invitations with a rattan back. The envelope liners featured a marbled geode pattern—another detail that carried into the big day. The wedding date was stamped onto a wooden belly band. Trending Now: Rattan and Woven Wedding Décor 03 of 21 The Location Ashley Ludaescher Photography The venue was an easy choice for this couple—Jena's family owns Greengate Ranch and Vineyard in San Luis Obispo, California, and the pair even lived and worked there together when they first began dating. "It has always been the perfect place for us to relax after business hours and roam the 140-acre property with our two dogs," Jena says. 04 of 21 The Gown Ashley Ludaescher Photography This bride had her eye on the "Inca" wedding dress long before her first bridal appointment at Grace Loves Lace. "I love the style of their dresses so I figured if not the 'Inca,' I would find something else I loved," Jena says. She tried on the gown and instantly fell in love with its lace long-sleeves, high neckline, and open back. "My favorite thing about it is how light and comfortable it is, while still being very classic and modest with the white underlay." 05 of 21 The Bouquet Ashley Ludaescher Photography Inspired by a bouquet that April Flowers created for another bride, Jena asked April and her team to create a unique arrangment, full of protea, fern, greenery, lunaria, and dried florals, for her. 30 Amazing Protea Wedding Bouquets 06 of 21 The Groom's Look Ashley Ludaescher Photography Donny wore the Napoli Blue Suit from Suit Supply and accessorized with Trask's "Brady" shoes and a fitted white button-up shirt from Patrick James. His final touch? A Treehouse watch, complete with a personal inscription on the back from the bride. 07 of 21 The Boutonnières Ashley Ludaescher Photography Chrysanthemums and dried palm berries made for unexpected, but on-theme boutonnières. 64 Boutonnières You Both Will Love 08 of 21 The Bridesmaids Ashley Ludaescher Photography Jena's bridesmaids and maid of honor wore deep gray dresses from Nomad Boutique, which featured floor-length lace over a romper. 09 of 21 The First Look Ashley Ludaescher Photography Having recently bought a new home across the street from the venue, Jena and Donny had their first look at their house before heading to their ceremony site for family photos. 10 of 21 Ceremony Location Ashley Ludaescher Photography The couple chose to have their ceremony on the property's Terrace Lawn, where they often sat on the steps and watched their dogs play when they lived there. 11 of 21 The Vows Ashley Ludaescher Photography The bride and groom exchanged personal vows in front of a unique hexagon altar, which the couple has since installed in their backyard. For Donny, reciting his vows was the most memorable part of the entire wedding day. "Back in middle school and high school I use to write poems to Jena, so I decided to input some of my old lines into my vows," he says. "As we did not share our vows before the wedding, I was stunned to hear Jena finish her vows quoting an old poem with the same line I had put down as the very first sentence in my vows. To me this showed the great history and bond we share." Creative Wedding Backdrop Ideas to Consider for Your Own Ceremony 12 of 21 Cocktail Hour with a Vineyard View Ashley Ludaescher Photography While the couple shared a much-needed quiet moment together post-ceremony, guests headed over to a lawn overlooking the grounds' vineyards for the cocktail hour. There, they enjoyed music from an acoustic duo, The Cimo Brothers, and some of the pair's favorite appetizers, like sushi and pigs-in-a-blanket from Field to Table. 13 of 21 Several Signature Cocktails Ashley Ludaescher Photography Along with plenty of wine, beer, and liquor options, Sidecar Cocktail Co. served Jena and Donny's guests several signature cocktails, including a daquiri and an old fashioned. 38 Signature Drinks That'll Personalize Your Cocktail Hour 14 of 21 The Seating Chart Installation Ashley Ludaescher Photography This couple chose a large installation with an agate-patterned wallpaper as the background for their seating chart. Guest names were written in white on wooden hexagons with an acrylic overlay by Lovelyfest. 25 Unique Wedding Seating Charts to Guide Guests to Their Tables 15 of 21 The Boho Reception Ashley Ludaescher Photography For the reception, rattan light fixtures from Bella Vista Designs hung over a large white dance floor. Long farm tables were topped with a simple gauze runner to showcase the natural wood and lush floral garlands; round tables were covered with creamy velvet cloth. 16 of 21 The Tabletop Details Ashley Ludaescher Photography Each guest's place setting included a classic white plate topped with with a menu and an personalized acrylic hexagon by Lovelyfest. Gold-rimmed glassware added a metallic accent to the table, while glowing candles created a cozy setting. The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations 17 of 21 The First Dance Ashley Ludaescher Photography Jena and Donny shared their first dance to "From the Ground Up" by Dan + Shay. "This song talks about how Grandma and Grandpa painted a picture of being together for a lifetime, and I want that to be us one day, no matter the hardships that come," Jena says. "My Grandma and Grandpa have been a big inspiration to us—they have been married now for 74 years!" 18 of 21 The Photo Booth Van Ashley Ludaescher Photography Jena and Donny brought in an SLO Photobus van to allow guests to bring home memories of the wedding. "The owner made all of these adorable felt props that were really nice quality," Jena says. "We still look through those photos at all of our silly guests!" 8 Inventive Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth 19 of 21 The Agate Design Wedding Cake Ashley Ludaescher Photography The newlyweds asked Paper Cake Events to create a stunning agate two-tier to match the escort display. 20 of 21 All the Desserts Ashley Ludaescher Photography Jena and Donny also treated guests to an assortment of desserts, including cookies, macarons, and cobbler. An ice cream truck, which offered scoops and ice cream sandwiches, from Negranti Creamery rounded out the dessert options. 24 Ways to Serve French Macarons at Your Wedding 21 of 21 Sources Ashley Ludaescher Photography Photography, Ashley Ludaescher Venue, Greengate Ranch & Vineyard Event planning and design, A Lovely Creative Flowers, April Flowers Invitations, Prim + Pixie Calligraphy and escort display, Lovelyfest Bride's gown, Grace Loves Lace Hair and makeup, Janet Villa Bridesmaids' dresses, Nomad Boutique Groom's suit, Suit Supply Groom's accessories, Trask; Patrick James Groomsmen's suits, Mens Wearhouse Catering, Field to Table Events Bar, Sidecar Cocktail Co Linens, La Tavola Linen; Blush Fine Linens Cake and desserts, Paper Cake Events Ice cream truck, Negranti Creamery Ceremony music, Cimo Brothers Reception music, Malik Thorne Rentals, All About Events; Elan Rentals; Avenue Twelve; Theoni Lighting and drapery, Bella Vista Designs Photobooth bus, SLO Photobus Was this page helpful? 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