A Greenhouse Ceremony and Ranch Reception in California

Nick couldn't wait to be married to Natasha—he proposed one morning over breakfast, just eight months after they'd met through a dating app. "She was so perfect—a stunning, brilliant lawyer," Nick, a TV executive, recalls. "When I was first looking at the app, I thought she was spam!" But she was real—and after messaging for a few weeks, the duo met for dinner, and both fell hard and fast. Though Natasha was as eager to marry as he was, doing so in front of dozens of people wasn't a part of her dream. "I wanted a wedding, but felt awkward saying vows in front of this huge crowd," she says.

The solution came from their planner and designer, Tory Smith, who suggested they have a ceremony with just their parents present, then celebrate that night with 200 loved ones. She also posed a place: a lush greenhouse, part of Gallup & Stribling Orchids. It's just down the street from the Klentner Ranch, where they would hold the reception. "My mom used to take my granny, who passed away a few years ago, to that greenhouse to buy orchids!" Natasha says. "When we went to look at it, I teared up. She used to grow orchids in her yard in Bangalore, India, and it felt like she was there." And so, nine months after their engagement, on September 10, 2016, Natasha's parents walked her down the orchid rows to be married. "The greenhouse was so full of new life, I got super-emotional during our vows," says Nick.

For the party, Natasha envisioned an organic, modern aesthetic with whimsical touches honoring the couple's native California—including escort cards that featured their doodles of things like cacti and the state animal, the grizzly bear, in lieu of traditional table numbers. Guests feasted on regionally grown fare, including a soft-taco station with tortillas made on-site, local grilled shrimp, and torched-to-order crème brûlée. After a DJ set, Nick's high school band (he quit before they "made it"), Together Pangea, played nostalgic '90s cover songs into the wee hours. But the best part? "There were five minutes when we were alone, after getting married and before they announced us at cocktail hour, that felt so special," says Natasha. "Just to have that time together, away from the bustle, and realize we were husband and wife."

Botanical invitations, designed by Printable Press with thick green leaves and wildflowers, served as inspiration for the wedding. Vintage stamps and green calligraphy by Anne Robin completed the suite.

The bride's bouquet by Heirloom Design House included hellebores, ranunculus, orchids, astrantia, and blushing-bride protea, all tied with a hand-dyed silk ribbon from Froufrou Chic.

Because Natasha prefers Indian jewelry, Nick sourced her engagement ring from a friend's father, Shah Jewel, in Los Angeles. Her gold and rose gold wedding band and bangles are also Indian, from Tanishq Jewelry. 

Natasha and Nick exchanged vows in the orchid greenhouse, with the bride's younger sister, Nayantara, officiating.

Nick and Natasha shared a post-ceremony moment in the greenhouse. His tuxedo was from Giorgio Armani; she wore a two-piece hand-beaded gown by Australia-based Bo & Luca. Natasha chose a vintage hairpiece from Gossamer—and wore Nick's grandmother's diamond earrings.

The couple drew illustrations inspired by inside jokes (including pancakes, their engagement breakfast) for each table.

The newlyweds posed with Natasha's family under a leafy olive tree before the reception.

Dinner took place on a polo lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On rectangular and round tables, lush centerpieces of lady's-slipper orchids, garden roses, caladium, and moss—no two alike—evoked blooming gardens.

At the reception dinner, floral arrangements of garden roses and maidenhair ferns in antique wood dough troughs were meant to pique curiosity.

Since the night ended up chillier than expected, Natasha's parents trucked in their backyard heaters for the evening. Edison bulb string lights cast a romantic glow on the party.

A favorite of the bride's since childhood, Viktor Benês Bakery created multiple cakes in flavors like piña colada and chocolate Grand Marnier. The selection of cakes was nestled amongst a large floral installation, making for a spectacular display.

Ceremony location, Gallup & Stribling Retail Store & Visitor Center

Reception location, Klentner Ranch

Event planning and design, Smith + James Events

Catering, Pure Joy Catering

Flowers, Heirloom Design House

Photography, Corbin Gurkin

Stationery, Printable Press (invitation, RSVP, insert, and rubber-stamp design); Foxglove Paper Co. (day-of paper goods); Czar Press (printing)

Calligraphy, Anne Robin Calligraphy (invitation envelope)

Cakes, Viktor Benês Bakery

DJ, Gary Ames for the Flashdance

Rentals, La Tavola Fine Linen; Party Pleasers Event Rental Co.

Bride's gown, Bo & Luca

Bride's accessories, Gossamer tiara; Tanishq jewelry and wedding band; Shah Jewel engagement ring; Sol Sana shoes

Hair and makeup, Jess Wilcox

Groom's tuxedo, Giorgio Armani

Groom's accessories, Officine Panerai watch; E-Wedding Bands band; Mezlan shoes

Lighting, draping, and power, Spark Creative Events

Transportation and valet-parking services, BlueStar Parking

Photo booth, Smilebooth

Ribbons, Froufrou Chic

Restrooms, MarBorg Industries