Two woodland-inspired weddings arrive at the same time!
Yesterday, we featured a whimsical Barn Wedding, and today, we have another beautiful nature-infused party.
Madison & Ryan were married in Modesto at Spring Creek with a wedding adorned in florals and ferns.
Courtney Stockton Photography was on hand to capture the smiles and joy of their day.
It’s one of those weddings which has made me excited about my big event. I’m getting butterflies just reading about Madison’s excitement and nerves the night before her wedding, as well as her worries about the weather the week leading up to the event and the joy she felt afterward.
You’ll love their ceremony setup (their floral arches are stunning! I love the DIY decor, the sweet reception details, and the elements of their wedding.
It’s amazing to see how a couple uses their day to help important causes. From baking cookies for a local training program to donating favors to a farming project abroad, the couple is doing a great job.
Melissa and Ryan’s wedding is more than elegant style, fabulous florals, and a sweet celebration.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Love Story
We met through OK Cupid!
We had both heard of friends who had been successful in online dating, so we decided to give it a try. Ryan’s very first online date was with Madison!
Ryan proposed to me in San Francisco after dinner at Delancey Street, our favorite restaurant.
Our old apartment was right next to a hotel on the Embarcadero. We could see the Bay Bridge from there!
The Inspiration
Inspired by the oaks at the venue, we chose sage, plum, and ivory as our colors.
I am from France and have a passion for all things French. Ryan was born and raised in the United States and wanted to make it feel comfortable and natural without being too formal.
The Attire
I bought my dress from a local bridal shop, Bianca’s Bridal.
I let the bridal party choose colors from BHLDN Dessy Jim Hjelm and David’s Bridal.
The Venue
I was raised by my grandparents (Madison), who live on the Spring Creek Golf Course. I spent many hours riding in the golf cart of my grandpa and watching golfers.
My great-grandmother, aged 97, was very inactive and could only attend this event. It was so wonderful that she was there!
Advice to other couples
For the bridesmaid’s dresses, I used Weddington Way.
Google Docs and Google Sheets are always up-to-date!
We stayed together for the night before our wedding. It was a little different, but we loved being giddy together and nervous!
Plan B is also important if you are having your wedding outside. Plan B if there’s a chance that the weather might affect your marriage. Please do it! You’ll be glad you did, even if you have to pay extra or make a deposit. Your sanity and patience will thank you!
It was a great idea to have one in case of a sudden downpour or if it would be 110 degrees. I didn’t go crazy. )
The Ceremony
The officiant for our ceremony was a local poet who also happens to be a professor. He wrote a beautiful poem that we could use.
The Flowers
My mom was the florist, but I don’t know the names. It was mostly white flowers and plants with a light pink tint. There were ferns, moss, and other plants.
Favorite Moments
In the middle of the dinner, our photographer gave us some time to take pictures at sunset. It was the perfect way to get away from all the excitement, breathe deeply, and spend some quiet moments together.
A first look can be controversial, at least in my family. It was wonderful to spend some time with Ryan before the ceremony and to get excited.
The Photographer
Courtney’s photographs were just what we wanted. We knew that Courtney’s photos would be warm and candid, capturing our true personalities.
We felt comfortable taking so many photos with her.
Decor & Details
Our floral designer did the majority of the decoration at the ceremony site as well as the reception.
We served a cookie bar with milk and homemade cookies (baked by Howard Training Center, an organization that supports local charities). Madison is a sweet tooth, so we also had a chocolate bar!
In addition to the guest book, there was a Bucket List Table where guests could add items to our Couple Bucket List.
Madison’s mom painted the signs that directed guests to the ceremony rec, reception, and cocktail hour. Ryan’s mother created the ceremony program (which also doubled as a fan on a hot day!), and the Thank You sign we used for our Thank You Cards!
