A Relaxed Outdoor Wedding at the Bride's Family Ranch in Santa Ysabel, California

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Couple Holding Hands
Sophie Epton

After Garrett Bankhead proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Molly Agee, during a sunset walk on vacation in Oahu, Hawaii, the couple quickly settled on a wedding location they loved: Molly's family's ranch in Santa Ysabel, California. "We wanted something that felt like the both of us and wanted to make sure we were surrounded by our closest friends and family," says Molly. "Being outdoors on the family ranch and incorporating our love for horses was important. We grew up riding horses, so having it at the ranch was super special!"

With help from Amorology, the couple chose a theme based on Molly's favorite song, "From the Ground Up," and added subtle nods to the couple's equestrian hobby. An earthy color palette included shades of pink, red, and yellow—mauve, mustard, rose, rust, terra cotta, blush—and light wood accents. On July 10, 2021, 150 guests joined the couple as they exchanged their vows by the edge of a shimmering pond, surrounded by endless views of the landscape's rolling hills. Cocktails, dinner, and dancing followed, all on the family's property. At the party, personal, on-theme details abounded, from the pressed floral escort card display and the tiny hay bale table numbers to the tack and feed-inspired dessert station. "Being able to get ready at home, and have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception there, was such a dream. We wanted things to feel effortless, easy, and fun and that is just how the night went," says Molly. "Enjoy every moment, because when the day comes, it goes by so, so fast!"

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Portrait Mode

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Invites and Stationery
Sophie Epton

A highlight of the couple's suite from Four Things Paper was a custom painting of the ranch and its horses, which appeared on the envelope liner and other detail cards. "Mixed with a light terra-cotta envelope and vintage stamps, it was the perfect pairing and entry into our wedding-day design," says Molly.

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Trusting Her Instincts

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Bride in dress with bouquet
Sophie Epton

Molly had a general idea of what she wanted in a wedding dress—until she started shopping. "I came in thinking I would find something with a unique material that wasn't so form-fitting," she says, "but when I tried a handful of gowns, I just didn't feel what I thought I was supposed to feel when I find 'the one.'" But when she put on an Alexandra Grecco silk slip gown, with its plunging neckline and open back, "I instantly knew," she says. "I just went with my gut feeling on which dress I felt was right."

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Beautiful Blooms

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Bouquet
Sophie Epton

Her bouquet was an "effortless, playful mix of lush florals, seasonal blooms, and textures with delicate wispy greenery," she says.

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Peachy Keen

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Bride with Bridesmaids
Sophie Epton

Molly's bridesmaids wore the same gown in coordinating tones of pink, peach, and red. "The dresses' materials all fit very well with my gown and the style was super flattering yet classy!" says the bride. Instead of carrying bouquets that matched Molly's, the women wore flower crowns, cuffs, or hair accents with fresh and dried florals.

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A (Not So) Private Moment

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Couple First Look
Sophie Epton

A grape arbor along the side of the family home provided a secluded spot for the couple's first look. "We were both super nervous, but seeing each other only made us more excited for everything to come!" says Molly. But the moment wasn't as private as they had anticipated: "Our first look was supposed to be just us, but all of the moms and bridesmaids came running down and hid in the bushes—we just turned around to see them and started laughing," says Molly. "They were trying to be sneaky, but definitely didn't do a good job. It lightened the mood, though!"

06 of 19

Tan Session

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Groom and Groomsmen in Suits
Sophie Epton

Garrett and his groomsmen wore tan three-piece suits from Friar Tux, incorporating the neutral tones of the color palette to set off the brighter gowns the women chose. The groom's floral tie and more striking boutonnière helped him stand out.

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Garden-Inspired

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Florals on Ceremony Aisle
Sophie Epton

At the ceremony, white wooden crossback chairs were placed in rows facing the altar area. Growing floral arrangements from The Dainty Lion lined the aisle with asymmetrical, textural collections of pink, peach, and ivory blooms.

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Wood Work

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Ceremony Arch
Sophie Epton

A wooden structure from Back Up Backdrops included wooden troughs overflowing with naturally-arranged blooms in muted shades of peach, rust, and yellow. Tall native grasses surrounded the altar and the nearby water.

09 of 19

Arriving in Style

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Chevy Truck
Sophie Epton

Molly and her father took his restored, cherry-colored Chevrolet truck to the ceremony site. "I thought that was a super personal touch, and driving down with my dad was definitely one of my favorite memories," she says.

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Saying "I Do"

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Ceremony Couple
Sophie Epton

The couple's pastor, John Hoffman from Grove Church, officiated the religious ceremony, leading Molly, Garrett, and their guests in prayer before and after the vows.

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Growing Together

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Seating Chart
Sophie Epton

An escort display combined the couple's favorite song lyric, "From the Ground Up," with wildflower artwork, lush blooms, and natural materials. The lyric referenced both Garrett's construction career and the couple "building love from the ground up."

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Pressed and Pretty

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Pressed Flowers in Trays
Sophie Epton

Calligraphed names and table numbers on escort cards in mauve, rust, ivory, and peach shades were accented by individual pressed wildflowers and displayed on a variety of wooden trays; MaeLily Design Studio put these lovely pieces together.

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Long Views

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Reception Round Tables
Sophie Epton

During the reception, the steep rolling hills provided a beautiful backdrop for tables in several palettes: round tables were covered with brown linens and set with white chairs, while long white farm tables contrasted with brown crossback chairs.

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Plush and Pink

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Reception Table and Chairs
Sophie Epton

At the head table, a selection of seats in different colors were arranged in an ombre layout. Taper candles in glass hurricanes and low votives surrounded overflowing arrangements of loose flowers in gold or wood vessels.

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Natural Elements

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Reception Place Settings
Sophie Epton

Linen runners, small bowls of granola, and wooden chargers set off white plates, wood-handled flatware, and colored glassware at each place setting.

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Hay, There

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Reception Seating Cards and Glasses
Sophie Epton

Table numbers and place cards were displayed on tiny hay bales as a subtle nod to the ranch atmosphere.

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Sweet Talk

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Cake on Dessert Table
Sophie Epton

A two-tier confection from Hey There, Cupcake anchored the couple's dessert table, which included individual truffles, oatmeal cookies, and other treats; a "tack and feed" sign spoke to the equestrian theme.

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So in Love

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Couple First Dance
Sophie Epton

For their first dance, the groom picked "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley. "It was super-special that Garrett chose it," says Molly, "and I think that it's super symbolic of the type of relationship we have and how we enjoy every little detail about the other."

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Sources

Molly & Garrett Real Wedding Couple Mingling in black and white
Sophie Epton

Photography, Sophie Epton
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Amorology
Catering, Miho Catering Co.
Flowers, The Dainty Lion
Officiant, John Hoffman, Grove Church
Stationery, Four Things Paper
Cake, Hey There, Cupcake!
Music, Vox DJs
Rentals, Catalog Atelier; Folklore; Hostess Haven; Raphael's Party Rentals
Bride's Gown, Alexandra Grecco
Bride's Accessories, Badgley Mischa shoes; Lana Jewelry
Hair and Makeup, KC Witkamp
Groom's attire, Friar Tux
Favors, MaeLily Design Studio
Rings, Michael M
Lighting,
Brilliant Lighting Co

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