The pair secured the Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel-by-the-Sea after Ashley happened upon photographs of the private redwood grove while perusing a wedding blog. “It stopped me dead in my tracks,” she says. “The ceremony site is beneath 100-foot redwood spires— it looks like an ethereal and natural cathedral. I was sold.” For the Marin, California natives, navigating the winding roads towards Carmel Valley was like traveling back in time. “The property has an air of the roaring 1920s, and the nature instantly takes your breath away,” Ashley says. Ashley and Ben reveled in sharing the quaint and romantic woodland community with their out-of-town guests, most of whom were first-timers to the area.

The bride was radiant in an ivory Monique Lhuillier gown with a floor-length veil.

When it came to the wedding day, the pair pushed the design envelope entrusting Natasha Lisitsa of Waterlily Pond Event and Floral Design with the modern-meets-rustic scene. “When I first met with Ashley and Ben, they each
brought “mood boards” so I could better understand their individual styles,” Natasha says. “They could not have been more different.” While Ashley’s vision was very feminine, sweet and nature-inspired, Ben leaned towards a
1920s jazz era look that was more masculine and architectural.

The emotionally-charged outdoor ceremony in the redwood grove was light and majestic. “Everyone could feel the love and magic of the natural setting as we exchanged our vows,” Ashley says. “We couldn't help but lighten up the mood a bit with our pet Yorkie as the ring bearer.”

Natasha and her team constructed a modern ceremony arch of copper adorned in white branches and wildflowers. “The copper arch dripping with orchids was the first thing I noticed before locking eyes with Ben,” Ashley says. “It took my breath away—Natasha is a true artist in every sense of the word.” The floral designer
suspended a pure white fabric canopy over the ceremony site to appear as if it were floating in the woods. A natural aisle was defined by borders of lush green ferns.

The groom was handsome in a Tom Ford tuxedo.

The San Francisco florist Waterlily Pond Floral Design ambitiously set out to design four distinctly unique environments throughout the event. The bride says, “We wanted our guests to walk into each space and sense a new mood.”

The groom crafted the wedding stationery from start to finish, with save-the-date cards made of reclaimed wood and laser-cut lettering. He carefully addressed each one of the invitations on a 1920s vintage typewriter then placed old
collector’s stamps on the envelopes. The tablescape married vintage and modern with crystal china, lucite napkin rings and acrylic and brass table numbers. The groom also designed a gold leaf wedding motif that appeared on the printed menus and place cards. During the formal dinner, a black and white silent film was projected across the barn walls.

A down-home bluegrass band, The Hackensaw Boys, led the roaring crowd to the barn, artfully transformed to create the vibe of a swanky supper club. A rich palette of gold, aubergine, plum and fuchsia was the chosen color story. “The room was a designer’s paradise,” remarks the bride. Natasha avoided the “expected rustic chic route” in decorating the raw space, and introduced ultra-modern elements for an unexpected touch.

An acrylic fuchsia chandelier, custom-designed for the event, extended thirty feet in length above the dining area for aserious “wow” factor. Perhaps the most dramatic detail in the room was the set of glass panels aglow
in 1,200 votive candles, elevated above the dining tables. The designer says, “We used aircraft cables and modern stainless steel hardware to hang the glass panels, a nice juxtaposition to the rustic barn.” Ornately framed mirrors on the walls reflected the chandeliers, floral arrangements and flickering candlelight. Gold chairs were draped in shimmery linens and exotic orchids.

 

 

“I wanted to combine earthy and modern elements without taking away from the already beautiful setting,” Natasha says.  With Ashley’s penchant for the feminine in mind, the late-night scene was dripping in sparkles, sequins and crystals. Natasha hung an installation made of rattan caning materials, her signature element of choice, above
the dance floor. As the L.A. All-stars played a lively set of tunes, Ashley and Ben stepped off the dance floor to observe the scene.