A Formal Rustic Wedding in a Barn in California

Emily and David's Americana Wedding

It was instant attraction when Emily Current and David Brotherton met 12 years ago at a small Hollywood concert. The creative SoCal pair—he's a studio drummer, she's a designer and the co-creator of the cult denim line Current/Elliott—bonded and became pals, but it took a few years for them to make the leap beyond friendship. "Once we did, we never looked back," David says. On a bluff in Maui in April 2011, Emily accepted David's unexpected proposal. They chose to marry at Dos Pueblos Ranch, just outside of Santa Barbara, because of its awe-inspiring natural beauty and laid-back vibe. The décor combined Americana touches with the bride's favorite fabrics (denim, muslin, and ticking stripes). On July 14, 2012, their 100 guests streamed into a clearing on the ranch's grounds, took their seats on canvas-covered hay bales, and witnessed the couple's exchange of self-penned vows.

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Nautical Stationery

The couple beckoned guests with stationery showcasing nautical elements, airmail details, and earthy kraft envelopes. An illustrator created a hand-drawn font for the text, and a calligrapher lettered addresses on the envelopes.

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Natural Beauty

Floral designer Mindy Rice fulfilled Emily's vision for a bouquet that was both pretty and natural with a lush combination of garden roses, astilbes, native bay leaves, millet, and scabiosas.

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A Stylish Pair

Emily, in Carolina Herrera, and a dapper David, in Dior Homme, fit right into Dos Pueblos Ranch's casual elegance. To put her stamp on the designer gown, the stylist bride worked with the design house to add ruffles, ensuring that it was even more "comfortable and easy to move around in."

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Programs that Pop

Customized brown paper bags of Trader Joe's popcorn played multiple roles: as a holder for snacks; as programs (the service's details were printed on the back of each); and as an alternative to rice for guests to toss at the newlyweds as they strolled up the aisle.

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No-Fuss Seating

Canvas-covered hay bales in the couple's ceremony space played up the day's laid-back, rustic vibe. Bags of popcorn set on the bales served double-duty as the ceremony programs and a fun alternative to the rice toss.

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Flower Girl Processional

Family and friends rose to watch Emily, accompanied by her best friend's daughter, make her way down the hay-strewn aisle.

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Family Affair

The groom's aunt, who lives in the area, was the natural choice to officiate the ceremony. "She's funny, she's interesting, and she could bring some spark," says Emily.

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Husband and Wife

The bride and groom were all smiles as they exited under a hail of fluffy kernels.

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Family Time

Emily and David joined his stepfather and mother for a predinner photo.

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Lively Tunes

The Get Down Boys, a popular Los Angeles band that plays a mix of bluegrass tunes, original songs, and twangy covers of modern hits, provided the sound track for the cocktail hour. "The music really fit with the environment," David says.

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Signature Sips

The three signature drinks created by Black Lab—Watermelon Mojitos, Ginger Mules, and Tipsy Jalapeños—hit nice, summery notes.

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Comfort Food

Servers clad in classic chambray shirts, khaki pants, and ticking stripe aprons treated guests to French fries from trays they hung from their necks.

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A Bite to Eat

An hors d'oeuvre of fried macaroni and cheese with truffle salt also made the rounds at cocktail hour.

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Seating Arrangements

Chipboard pockets with grommets were secured onto two framed mats, filled with escort cards, then hung to flank the entryway to the reception in the barn.

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Unique Table Numbers

Hand-painted beer growlers did a stand-up job marking the tables.

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On the Table

Tablescapes were decorated with paper sacks of ripe red cherries, amber glass vessels, and floral arrangements. The bride used ticking stripes as napkin holders and for servers' aprons.

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Garden Variety

Centerpieces of garden roses, Queen Anne's lace, hydrangeas, kale, astilbes, scabiosas, wheat, and green privet added some natural charm to the celebration.

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Dinner is Served

Guests sat down to a family-style dinner of watermelon salad, French fries, and three types of burgers (beef, Portobello mushroom and ahi tuna) in the Dos Pueblos Ranch barn beneath a rustic 'chandelier' made from a wooden rod wrapped in light bulbs.

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Bingo!

The back of each menu featured a bingo card to entertain guests.

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Stylish Guests

Four fashionable guests gathered outside the barn pre-reception.

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Fun and Games

Vintage Pin the Tail on the Donkey, playing cards, and dominoes served as both activities and decor. "The games, photo booth, and silhouette artist Karl Johnson of Cut Arts gave people things to do besides just dance," Emily said.

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Famous Faces

Some of the bride's Hollywood friends—here, Minka Kelly, Mandy Moore, and Raina Penchansky—turned out to fete the newlyweds.

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Two For One

A fan of silhouette art since visiting Disneyland as a kid, Emily hired an artist to create two portraits of each of the couple's 100 guests—one to take home, and one to stick in the guest book with a well-wishing note.

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A Sweet Finish

What better way to end their "glorified barbecue" than with a dessert bar full of tiny pies and treats, including caramel-glazed carrot cake, banana pudding, strawberry shortcake panna cotta, and passed ice cream sandwiches.

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Souvenirs to Sip

Emily and David's anchor monogram, another nod to the bride's love of all things Americana, was stamped onto keepsake flasks filled with tea and lemonade (and vodka upon request).

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