A Vibrant Vintage Farm Destination Wedding in California

The night before Valentine's Day, a Friday the 13th in fact, Frank Green III met Amy Kreft at a party. The theme was "A Nightmare on Valentine's Day", fitting because of the date, and also because it was hosted by Amy and her roommates, who lived on the corner of 31st and Elm Street in San Diego. Frank and Amy, now consider Friday the 13th a lucky day.

Eight years later, on October 20, 2012, they turned to their talented friends to help bring their vision of an intimate celebration to life.

The couple chose Keys Creek Lavender Farm, just north of San Diego, for their outdoor fete. "It smelled like lavender as you drove up from the hills," Amy said. "It was amazing."

The bride, who is the art director at Elum, a letterpress and design studio, illustrated and designed every piece of paper for her big day, starting with the save-the-date. It kicked off her book-themed suite, with volume 1 in a series that extended through the wedding reception. The mini book tucked safely into a tiny letterpressed pocket with a die-cut window showcasing the cover's main text: "And so our story begins."

Volume 2 of Amy and Frank’s series was the invitation suite, which carried out the color palette of mossy green and bright coral. This larger, more complex book incorporated layers of original textile patterns and hand-drawn florals, all letterpressed into soft cotton paper. Three bookmarks outlined the weekend's events.

Amy found inspiration for the illustrations in vintage floral fabrics, flower arrangements, and mixed patterns found in Middle Eastern textiles. Nearly half a dozen decorative borders surrounded the text of the actual invitation. The paperie was just one way the couple achieved their concept of combining layers, textures, and motifs to create an eclectic aesthetic.

A pocket attached to the last page held a library card styled response and envelope.

Details on how to get to the wedding venue and where to stay, plus a reception card, were printed as pages in the book.

On the invitation book's back cover, Amy and Frank's initials and a sweet duo of flowers added another layer of personalization.

Frank looked dapper in a three-piece Stafford suit and tie. Amy looked radiant in a Mikaella dress with an added custom belt. A bolero from Isis Bridal Boutique capped it off. The finishing was a fascinator by Fancie Strands.

Bridesmaids selected different coral dresses with various textures and ornamentations. Their bouquets mimicked the bride's but with flowers in ivories and whites, like Queen Anne's lace, tracheliums, feverfews, bupleurums, and dianthus.

Boutonnieres were wrapped with rough twine.

Amy's bountiful bouquet had a just-picked feeling to it. It was made by Cherry Blossom Floral Designs and was comprised of garden roses, spray roses, tracheliums, feverfews, ranunculus, lisianthus, veronica, bupleurums, and ferns. Ivory ribbon and lace wrapped around the stems.

Amy and Frank were photographed by Tim and Merrill of Sweet Little Photographs all over the property, including this spot with a backdrop of the local cacti.

Mini booklets outlined the ceremony, bridal party, and a thank you from the couple. This piece was the third volume in the collection of books, which started with the save-the-date.

Amy's father Keith escorted her to the ceremony as Tom Petty’s "Wildflowers" played.

Following the ceremony Frank couldn't help but fist pump joyously as She & Him's "Sweet Darlin'" accompanied them down the aisle.

To honor the bride's love of paper and old-fashioned correspondence, escort cards were created in the likeness of mini snail mail. Each personally designed pint-sized envelope sat on the shelves of an old printer’s tray.

Terrariums filled with moss, maidenhair ferns, toadstools, and delicate flowers were placed on crocheted doilies in the center of each table. Milk glass vases filled with fern and stems of fresh flowers surrounded them. Moss numbers atop slices of wood identified each table for guests to find their seats.

Tucked in each napkin was another tiny tome outlining the menu.

The 155 guests feasted on a local farmers market salad with lavender vinaigrette, wood-fired breadsticks, grilled corn with cotija cheese, and barbecue pulled pork with pinto beans, fire-roasted potato salad, and corn bread. An unexpected mist during the evening didn’t put a damper on this delicious meal.

Local wine was dressed up with custom labels and served at dinner.

A letterpressed guest book from Oblation Papers & Press was set out for guests to jot well wishes to the couple. It was surrounded by framed family portraits from weddings throughout the generations.

Sam Cooke's "Nothing Can Change This Love" played while Amy and Frank shared their first dance together as newlyweds.

Amy and her father danced to Stevie Wonder's "Isn’t She Lovely". He later played a short set, with his band, the Grateful Dads, which began with a personalized version of "Chapel of Love", followed by "Pretty Woman", and finally, "One Fine Day".

A small white velvet cake with macerated strawberries and vanilla bean and strawberry buttercream was created by Small Spoonful. In addition, guests enjoyed a dessert table of sweets that acknowledged the bride and groom's heritages and Viva Pops popsicles in lavender lemonade, key lime pie, strawberry basil, and salted caramel flavors.

Tiny vials of lavender salt were sealed with corks and finished off with labels.

Photography: Sweet Little Photographs

Location: Keys Creek Lavender Farm

Event Planning: Francine Ribeau Events

Catering: Alchemy

Flowers: Cherry Blossom Floral Designs

Stationery: Elum

Calligraphy: Wendy Ware

Cake: Small Spoonful

Music: (cocktail hour) Trio Gadjo, (reception); DJ Claire and DJ Still Life

Rentals and Lighting: Abbey Party Rentals

Hair: Mallory Zuidema of Jet Rhys Salon

Makeup: Judith Cervants

Popsicles: Viva Pops