A Blue Formal Outdoor Wedding in California

It took the couple, who met at church, six years to walk down the aisle at another picturesque church, in the company of their friends, family, and faithful pup.

For the ceremony, the couple chose a classic spot -- First Presbyterian Church Santa Ana. The bonus? The church's stained-glass windows matched the color palette of the wedding.

Jane's father, John, escorted her down the aisle. Her veil was created by Candi Merle of Crowning Glory Designs.

The couple's beloved dog, Rudy, received a wreath of her very own to wear down the aisle.

Some 250 guests witnessed the afternoon ceremony.

The animal-friendly venue inspired many aspects of the wedding. In fact, Jane, a lover of the outdoors and horses, used the ranch setting of the Brookside Equestrian Center as inspiration for the decor and invitations. Jane even referenced the wreaths horses get when they win races and designed the invitation suite with this festive and symbolic emblem. The envelope liners featured an illustration of a horse and the word "love" repeated in an alternating pattern.

Long, slender programs designed by the bride also incorporated the wreath icon.

Jane wore an ivory lace Jim Hjelm dress from Mary Me Bridal. Blue pumps with rosettes at the toes served as "something blue," and Nadri crystal drop earrings and a J.Crew pearl bracelet completed the look.

The bridal bouquet by Janet Webb of Greenwich Floral consisted of garden roses, lilies of the valley, sweet peas, and gardenias.

Edward's boutonniere was a simple arrangement of lily of the valley and foliage.

Jane sported a family memento wrapped around the handle of her bouquet: a locket housing a photo of her parents on their wedding day, more than 30 years earlier.

Like the bride, each bridesmaid carried a sentimental token: lockets containing photos of loved ones. Their bouquets were made up of garden roses, delphinium, hellebore, sweet peas, ranunculus, and veronica.

The four bridesmaids wore navy dresses custom made by Theresa in LA.

Jane and Edward took their bridal portraits around the property with photographer Michelle Warren

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Rudy also posed for portraits and sat for dinner near Jane and Edward's sweetheart table.

Jane and Edward posed with one of the horses housed in the stables of the equestrian center.

With help from her father, Jane created an assortment of wooden directional signs; they were dotted around the property to help guests find the reception site.

Jane made and hand-bound the guestbook herself. The cover featured a silhouette of the couple.

Florist Janet Webb, of Greenwich Floral, created a whimsical wreath consisting of crab apples, Granny Smith apples, daisies, hydrangeas, lemon leaves, and laurel leaves, a nod to the venue's countryside aesthetic.

A floral wreath with a bountiful blue bow added additional embellishment to the reception area.

Bottles fitted with custom labels served as table numbers. Groupings of small arrangements housed in mason jars dotted the long tables.

Loose arrangements of flowers grouped in colored glass vessels gave the lawn the natural, unstructured look Jane had envisioned.

Bistro lights zigzagged above the tables. An elegant chandelier hung from a central tree, anchoring the reception with a stunning glow.

Garlands of bay leaves and creamy satin ribbon decorated the light-oak reception chairs at the sweetheart table.

Santa Anita Gardens Catering created the delicious wedding feast, which included spring greens with candied walnuts and cranberries, filet mignon, and tomato penne pasta.

The couple selected Jack Johnson's "Better Together" for their first dance. Music from Atmosphere Entertainment accompanied the guests as they danced the night away.

Mixed fruits and bay leaves adorned the red velvet and dark chocolate cake. Fresh fruit, Korean mochi cakes, candy, and cupcakes topped with blueberries joined the cake on a dessert buffet.

Photography: Michelle Warren Photography
Videography: Daniel Lee, 818-710-1222
Veil: Crowning Glory Designs, 714-986-9944
Stationery: JC Designs, janechoi06@yahoo.com or 562-708-0177
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Theresa in LA, 323-233-9185
Groom's Tuxedo: Friar Tux
Wedding Planner: Sara Whelan of Happy Brides Planning
Hair & Makeup: Joyce Luck Style, 909-239-0236
Rentals: A-Packaged Parties