A Casual Vintage-inspired Outdoor Wedding in California

July 28, 2011

1 of 19

An Unlikely Wedding Gown

Lena and Joshua are posing against a backdrop of Marimekko fabric reproduced from an early-1960s pattern. Lena is wearing a dress she found years ago at a thrift store -- a girlish 1960s prom dress dotted with bright flowers. Josh is wearing a suit from Barney's New York and a vintage patterned tie.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

Invitations

The letterpress invitation, map, reply card, and envelopes were done in retro hues and reflect the rustic feel of the wedding site. They were mailed with vintage stamps depicting woodland themes.

3 of 19

Dancing Guests

The mother of the bride, Patti Corwin, dances with a young guest.

Advertisement

4 of 19

Tie and Boutonniere

The bride's own collection of old fabrics helped inspire the day's details. Lena made Josh's lighthearted tie; his boutonniere of oak leaves and acorns is tied with a jaunty bow.

5 of 19

Light as a Feather

A feather headpiece adorns Lena's hair.

6 of 19

Pinecone Marker

Pinecones wired to a tree mark the entrance to the wedding site.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

Lena and Josh

A heart made of twigs, arranged on the ground in a clearing, greets arriving guests.

8 of 19

Mountain Bouquet

In keeping with the wedding's mountain locale, the bridal bouquet of roses, cactus dahlias, and pom-pom dahlias is accented with oak leaves and acorns.

9 of 19

Bird's Nest Altar

Family friend Jane Yen officiates at the ceremony under a canopy of oak branches topped with an oversize bird's nest, which was crafted by another friend.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

Creative Cocktails

At the bar, fruity drinks -- a thyme-vodka lemonade; a puree of strawberries, rum, and ginger; and a seltzer-honeydew sparkler with Midori -- sit on cloth coasters.

11 of 19

Drink Cards

Lena illustrated cards listing the ingredients of each drink, and hung them next to the bar.

12 of 19

Flower Girl

To ensure that they would have unique keepsake photographs of their guests, the couple set up an outdoor portrait studio made up of lengths of bright floral fabric draped over a clothesline. The photographer chose the background best suited to each subject's outfit, mixing unlike but complementary patterns to create a jubilant, richly textured collection of pictures.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

Mother and Son

Posing in the fabric photo booth.

14 of 19

Hat Ladies

Hats add a whimsical touch to the festivities.

15 of 19

A Dog All Dressed Up

A dog joins in the fun!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

Patterned Plates

Guests dined off of cheerfully patterned plates.

17 of 19

Flower-Power Napkins

Flower-patterned napkins play into the theme of cheerful and quirky contrasting patterns.

18 of 19

Surfin' U.S.A.

During the reception's cocktail hour, a local band plays surf music, a style of music popular in the early '60s.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

Sources

Location: Twain Harte Rentals
Catering: Alicia's Cakes and Catering
Floral Design: Indigo V.
Stationery: Pantry Press
Band: The Aqua Velvets
Rentals: Porter Rentals, Classic Party Rentals

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

`