Woodsy Wedding with Paper Bouquets

What an absolute treat this wedding is! Ryan and Kacey first met in high school, went their separate ways, and finally reconnected only to fall in love in New York City. They made their way west to cool California, where they tied the knot in gorgeous woodsy surroundings decorated by Tracy Nix of A Little Birdie Told Me. Sarah Kathleen shined behind the camera, as always!

From the bride, Kacey: Ryan and I always had bad timing. We met in high school and always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite being great friends with interests to be more, we ended up on opposite sides of the country for college. Luckily, by chance and odd circumstances, we both ended up in New York City one winter night and in Central Park, Ryan got the courage to hold my hand for the first time. Six months later we found ourselves moving in together on the beautiful Central Coast of California. Fast-forward 3 years since that night in Central Park, 8 years since we first met, and we are now finally married.

The inspiration for our wedding was simple – a complete synthesis of ourselves, our personalities, our passions. Vintage glam meets vintage industrial, a little bit mythical and magical with a sprinkle of sparkle. We both love music and travel. Ryan is a motorcycle enthusiast, recently finishing the custom build on his Triumph, our get away vehicle, and he is also a musician. I manage an exotic animal rescue and have a love of glitter and Harry Potter. All of these elements needed to some how be incorporated. We wanted to utilize as many of our friends as vendors as we could, including Tracy Nix, the genius behind A Little Birdie Told Me Events and Design. She was instrumental in creating every fantasy my heart could dream up. For over a year, Tracy and her husband combed through flea markets, antique shops, and friends garages searching for the perfect one of a kind items – pieces of lace, old books, rusted car parts – which made our day that much more personal. I wanted each tablescape, each paper flower, each detail to tell a little bit of our story, and it did.

Besides saying “I do,” my favorite moment was seeing all our favorite people from all the corners of the earth come together in one place. Most had never met (including some family members since Ryan was raised in Minnesota and I in California) but despite our guests making up an intimate group of 70, the venue was bursting with love and laughter all night.

Any advice for other couples planning their weddings now? Make the time count. The time planning: you want this day to be YOURS, I promise. If you’re eloping, or if you have a long engagement, find a way to make it personal. The time getting ready: everyone says this but time friggin’ flies on the day of. Soak it in; hug your bridesmaids, your mom, and your delivery people. Enjoy everything you’ve been blessed with, starting with the people in your life. The time when you’re waiting to walk the aisle: it’s the most bizarre, out of body, but magically calm feeling. You’re about to say I do. You’re about to marry the man (or woman) of your dreams! You’re about to become a grownup! (maybe that’s just me) Enjoy every possible nano second because you won’t get that time back; and smile (I know you won’t be able to help it).