an old california wedding


Boy was it hard to narrow down this post. I didn't want to leave anything out because I know there are some of you planning weddings and would like to see all the little details. In fact I should probably break down different elements like the flowers, food, clothing, etc. into different posts. What do you think?  

This wedding is one for the books as it was planned in under 2 weeks and swelled from 40 guests to 100.  I will admit that it was not easy giving up control but when I saw it all coming together I got it and was on-board.  This really was more than just a vintage themed wedding.  We had Old California and Vintage Harley bikers going on too.  And not to mention that Alex and B do not buy anything new. Everything is vintage or antique, which is awesome but when planning a wedding, it can be challenging. I really didn't know what to expect with 100 bikers coming but let me tell you they were the nicest, most gracious group of people.  Omg, they were awesome.  The whole day was done on a small budget (I believe the whole thing was just shy of $2k, oops that should read closer to $3k) but the details were big.  So in no particular order...





Chairs were set up for family and then the guests just squeezed in



I spent a total of $75 on flowers from Trader Joes.  That includes the brides bouquet too.








B's sister made the cheese platters.  The main menu was bbq and assorted salads.  It was a lot of work but B's dad did an excellent job!





I made lunches that consisted of pbj's, chips, cookies and juice for the kids in attendance




Guests arriving




The guest book was placed on an antique drop-leaf desk.  I wrapped an ordinary pen in twine and stuck a pheasant feather in.





Everyone loved Alex's 49 pickup truck.











Candy apple action for the kiddos.









B's mom generously took care of all the rentals, champagne and cake!








I loved the antique rug runner.  A and B have been collecting them for 2 years.  Each one was at least 100 years old.





It was so strange to see this many people in my yoga garden
























This dress.  1940's crochet chemise - stunning.





Her $11 bouquet




A big thank you to everyone who weighed in with what I should wear.  I went with Melissa from All Things Simplified suggestion of this dress and my boots.  Turns out it was perfect as I was so busy I never sat down and yet didn't have to wear an apron.  That Tory Burch dress I loved would have been ruined.  But Mary, I will never forget your offer.  I think RL would be ok with this.:)





















This is probably my favorite photo of the whole event.  It was taken with an iphone!  It has such a romantic feel to it, and my carport has never looked this good. Those panels were cut from plain old burlap and staple gunned up. Total cost $120.

Would we have changed anything?  Probably.  Although we didn't go with a caterer, we should have hired a few guys to help bus tables and clean up.  I don't know what I was thinking?!  I wish I had taken more family photos but didn't think of it til the next day.  None of these are big deals and everything worked out.  Just some things to consider if you are planning an old California biker vintage wedding in 2 weeks. :)

PS - Would you be interested in seeing some of the LA fashion from this wedding?  Would you like more breakdown of anything particular?  Let me know.

*Most photos credited to BEN

96 comments

  1. Oh my goodness, I absolutely love this, so much character, so personal and everyone looks great. Well done you, hope you've had a lie down afterwards!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I feel weepy! Big clap for Melissa!
    The bride's dress is beautiful and I am in awe of what you did with that pen, not to mention the flowers and all of the other details - it's so so beautiful, what perfect wedding.

    Ps. We are coming over, very soon we will make a point of coming by, what's for lunch?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you tabs and yay you are coming! oh gosh i have to pull out my cookbooks!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful!
    I love seeing your son's happiness in every picture!!!
    'Best regards to the new bride and groom:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so happy to see the wedding turned out so wonderfully. You did a GREAT job Janet. I love the brides dress, simply amazing. I also really like the idea of using antique carpets as a runner. This is a great example of how you don't need to spend a on of money to have a nice wedding. Congrats to the couple! May they live happily ever after.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh and of course I want LA fashion! Off to watch Sons of Anarchy from last night - smiling.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful! Everything looked so perfect! Congratulations to all on a beautiful day. I would love it if you shared everything!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a beautiful amazing day! The bride and groom look so happy! I cannot believe you were able to do all of this for $2000. Thank you so much for sharing these pictures with us.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely, just lovely! Yes Fashion pics please. Your son looks just like you!

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel like I have just seen a wedding in a Bridal Magazine and, speaking of that, you definitely should submit these photos for publication because the world needs to see just how perfect a wedding can be - especially for the bride and groom who were gorgeous and who looked blissfulluy happy. And, that dress - AMAZING!! Designers everywhere should be scurring to copy it. B is beautiful (love the shot of her sitting on the bed of the truck). And, you looked beautiful (as always) and your dress was perfect. Thank you for sharing the photos with us. Yes, please share LA fashions and any other details of the day with us.
    Mary Ray (Birmingham, AL)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jon and I loved this and that's coming from a couple of dyed in the wool wedding avoiders! Everything from the cheese boards, flowers, truck and kids' lunches are just perfect. The bride looks breathtaking and your son is pretty gorgeous, too (mind you he's got such attractive parents, good genes!) Please show us more, I want to see what the guests are wearing, you're a terrifically stylish bunch! xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love it all! I've would have been a wedding crasher if I lived closer! She's beyond beautiful, he's smashingly gorgeous and this is sweetest loveliest wedding I've seen. Janet, your flowers were amazing...I love her bouquet.

    I hope I get to do this for my sons. You must have felt so blessed and honored when they wanted to have it in your gardens.

    I'd like to hear more about how they came up with their ideas for all the details.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes to all of it. I really have no words. It helps that all the peeps are the "pretty people!" - you included. l would just like to add to my pre-wedding comment of "swoon."

    Double Swoon

    Thanks for the head's up on IG!
    fourhens

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful, Janet. And B is movie star gorgeous, luck Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to see more, thank you for sharing these wonderful intimate family moments!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love it all, beautiful wedding!!
    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  16. My-o-my! What a beautiful California wedding. The perfect everything, I don't believe it could have turned out any better. One for the ages! Just the pictures you have shown will make a wonderful scrapbook.

    ReplyDelete
  17. More please. Just beautiful. The bride. The groom. Your family and THE garden! Loved it all. Congratulations! Job well done.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love it all....
    It is amazing to pull that wedding off for so many people in such short notice.
    I think it is perfect in so many ways as it reflects the ethics and lifestyle of the couple so that makes it more honest and meaningful. The bouquet, the dress, the pen...it is beautiful.
    Yes to seeing more!
    Gosh I love that I found your blog years ago and that you are taking us along on your journey of life. I find you so inspiring and gracious....thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fabulous! How did you all think of all this in 2 weeks, much less produce it?! Love the detail of the pheasant feather pen -- even that photo is just lovely. Can't believe you got all this posted so quickly, either! Yes, more, please!

    ReplyDelete
  20. a perfect perfect wedding. I'll show my husband the photos tonight. He will home in on the pick up truck. Your son might want to look at my husbands one http://cottagetails.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/pick%20up%20truck

    ReplyDelete
  21. Perfection! Loved everything. . . intimate, personality plus! Love to see more fashion of the day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. oh my god!
    i keep going back over the photos...
    the truck/cake set up made me almost fall out of my chair.
    love every little bit!
    the bride!!! her dress!!!
    and you look stunning.
    wow.
    going back for more ♥

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fantastic, Janet! Everything looks great. Yes, give us more, more, more (of anything!).
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful!!!! Everything looked perfect and I loved the elegant simplicity of it all. The bagged lunches for the children and the caramel apple bar were great ideas. Thank you for the romantic inspiration and the beautiful photos (as always). It was so nice to see how much you could accomplish with little monetary investment and a lot of creativity. Your blog is one of only two that I regularly visit for this reason.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great job! There are always things that can be done differently, but not always better. It looked like a beautiful day. One of my favorite quotes that I TRY to remember...."I want a marriage as beautiful as my wedding" I hope this is true for your son, and it will be a happy life. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  26. You and your new daughter in law are both so beautiful! What a lovely wedding, thank you for sharing it with us.
    Betty

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love it! Every single part of it! The bride's dress - wow. Your outfit was perfect too. Yes, please give us more details on how you all put this together!

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a quirky, low-key, high-beauty wedding! I hope you had a good time. Lookin' beautifully bikerish yourself there, mama!

    ReplyDelete
  29. FABULOUS! Just absolutely Fabulous! So much class. It seems to me that your home was the perfect place for this wedding. Best wishes and a life filled with fulfilled dreams to the happy couple!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Janet, this post brought tears to my eyes. And yes, I'd love fashion pics of your beautiful, eclectic guests! Xo, Allegra

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is one of the coolest weddings I have ever seen! Everything was perfect, B was stunning and I love the smile on Alex's face in the group shot with you and Larry. Such a beautiful mind, dear Janet ;)
    Deni

    ReplyDelete
  32. more of everything! I am d.y.i.n.g.

    that dress is divine. everything, really.

    MORE. donna

    ReplyDelete
  33. More Please!
    Everything was lovely and then some. I have a daughter who will probably be doing the wedding thing in the next year or so-love to see all your details!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Yes, more please! Fashion, flowers, food! Just beautiful and such cool style!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, my, yes! to the LA fashion photos! In fact, yes to more about it in whatever way you want to do it.

    This just looks like perfection for a low-key, beautiful,and meaningful wedding. I am so impressed with the creativity and attention to detail- a pen wrapped in twine with a feather... and it's perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  36. You and Larry have gained one beautiful daughter. May she and Alex have many, many years of happiness. It all looked beautiful. Love, love her dress.
    blessings, jill

    ReplyDelete
  37. The bride's dress is gorgeous; I ♥ the rugs. The flowers "fit'; your outfit was stunning. I agree about your "favorite photo"...and the sack lunches for kids was a brilliant touch. Show us as much more as you can! It warms my heart (and I could use all the warmth I can get)!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh YES! More please!!
    I find it a True Blessing when our Children find a partner they Truly Love! Your Heart must be Bursting!!
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  39. look at the pride in your son's face... the photo of all of you together! there's proof of a beautiful even right there.
    what a wonderful young couple. she's beautiful. he's handsome. and they definitely have their heads on straight!
    they seem to already value the right things in life. not what MONEY can buy... but the treasure of memories and experiences.
    kudos dearest AJJ! xo♥
    and yes! more please! i think you're amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. How gorgeous is this?! She looks like Carole Lombard with a better nose! She is stunning! And I love her dress. I love that they put this together so quickly. My parents' wedding cost $1500 in 1980, and they are still married. Hardly a society event. She fought her mom and sister for the shower, and my dad's hands were stained from changing the oil on his VW that they were driving to Maine for their honeymoon. Details like this are so much more special and interesting than "mommy got SO mad at the wedding planner because the orchids were more pink than purple". In a sea of matrimonial monotony, your son and daughter in law's wedding stands apart. They should be so proud.
    And how muc he looks like you! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. beautiful - enjoying the day through these gorgeous photos. They resonate love, fun and style xo

    ReplyDelete
  43. I just love your blog. I've been reading it for....I don't even know! It feels like a very long time. This comment is not related to the wedding (although it looks charming and incredibly unique with a bunch of bikers in the garden). Rather, I wanted to let you know how much your posts inspire me. I admire your simple, minimalist yet stylish, beautiful lifestyle. Also, I adore that you're vegan as I am too. I love coming to your page and seeing your pictures and lighthearted writing. You seem like such a lovely, mellow, kind person. I am 21 and yet relate so much to you. And I also live in Southern California, although I'm about to move to Hilo, Hawaii (the big island). Can't wait to apply some of the tips I've learned from you to my new home there. Sending you lots of love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how sweet, farrah rose!

      Delete
    2. indeed what a lovely sweet comment. thank you so much for reading and good luck on your move to hawaii. i think hawaii is a perfect place to practice simplicity. it is so visually beautiful you don't need much else! xo

      Delete
  44. Everything looks so perfect... I love the bride’s dress. And a big, big yes for LA wedding fashion :)
    M.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks for all your sharing. Such a personal wedding, so wonderful. The bride looks like she came right out of a 1940s movie! Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  46. My comment seems to have whispered away, so If I repeat---forgive.

    This is simply charming, and on this budged with such time constraints---SOMEBODY is a genius! I'd be hard pressed to get the YARD ready for a crowd, let alone all that wedding work. Amazing.

    I'm so glad I stumbled in---from Linderhof, I think.

    rachel

    ReplyDelete
  47. Authentic. Beautiful and a testament to hold true to who you are. I love the joy on your son's face. His bride is a vision in that dress! Ok, the cake on the bed of the truck is too much. I love the truck! The flowers are beautiful. The kids meal was adorable, caramel apple dips, too. The table/chair setup was lovely. And, your outfit choice was so you. My how your son looks like you! Well done, my dear and the very best wishes to your son and his new wife.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love every single thing! These photos should be submitted to www. rocknrollbride .com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Such a beautiful day and again I must use the word enchanting!
    I think it is so sweet that so much thought was put in making sure the
    children were happy. I just loved the little labeled lunch sacks and
    the candy apple table. Adorable. The bride's dress is dreamy and
    you looked lovely Janet.

    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh the bride is lovely, beautiful.....vintage Hollywood. Love the dress. It is old elegance and yet so fresh, new, modern chic. I love eclectic weddings. So much better and more fun than choreographed, cookie cutter, everything new kind of weddings. I'll bet everybody had a grand time and fond memories of this very special day.
    You look lovely too, but I would not have worn the boots with the dress for that occasion.
    The setting in the yard is wonderful and I love it.
    Please share the rest of the LA fashion with us.

    Renate

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a wonderful wedding, and not to cost $30,000 or more, like some I have heard of. Loved looking at all the photos, good looking young couple, and YES, I'd love to see the LA fashion...All of your posts are the best!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Lovely!! did the bride purchase her dress at a vintage store? Love the bow tie A is wearing, so old fashion!

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a cool wedding and the most gorgeous couple! Honestly Janet, just gorgeous! What an amazing hostess you were! I love all these photos - just stunning! Bookmarking this!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Love all of it! Everything came together beautifully...amazing that it was all done in such a short period of time, too. B looks absolutely gorgeous, and her dress is just so lovely. Thank you for sharing all the pics, and for the lovely mention, as well. Looking forward to your future posts on all the different elements of the wedding. :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Congratulations! Everything looks vintage perfect, and the bride could not be more beautiful. Her dress fits her petite frame and flatters her complexion, hair, makeup. Would love to see Cali fashion from the wedding, but for now, just take it all in. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  56. It looks like a professional set/setting for a wedding themed photo shoot. All I can say is "simply amazing." Can't wait to see more. And, your outfit was right on the mark, understated afternoon elegance!

    ReplyDelete
  57. It all looks amazing and perfectly personalized. I do hope you are taking some time to recuperate. Congratulations to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  58. The brides bouquet was perfect! Looks like my kind of wedding and I would love to see more pics!

    ReplyDelete
  59. the family pic......your son is so proud. I wish them a lifetime of happiness. such joy

    ReplyDelete
  60. Just beautiful. The feelings of warmth and love come through so clearly. Much happiness to the the newlyweds! Would love to see how some of the guests were attired.

    ReplyDelete
  61. It all looks perfect. I would love to see anything you want to share. My neighbor is a wedding planner. I am going to make sure she sees this. Memories are priceless. This was a day you will recall often and with a smile. :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Wow! So beautiful - well done! The bride looks gorgeous (amazing dress!) and they look like such a happy, relaxed and in-love pair..

    ReplyDelete
  63. Congratulations Janet!! Happy for you and your family xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  64. Everything looks gorgeous. Our daughter had her wedding at home too and there’s something special and relaxed about it so that the guests feel ‘at home'. I’m awestruck that you did the catering too - wow that’s a lot of work. Congrats to the stunning couple. Love the cake in the back of the pick up! Love that last photo too Tonkath

    ReplyDelete
  65. It's all just so perfect! What a fun day, and her dress, that dress! And I too have a thing for antique rugs. This wedding really was good enough for a magazine spread. I know A & B loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hi, saw this post when Vix shared it on Facebook, and just wanted to say how beautiful the wedding looks, and how much I admire everyone involved for keeping it thrifty without sacrificing an ounce of style. Simply gorgeous - you could teach those fancy wedding planners a thing or two! Many congratulations to the happy and beautiful couple. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how nice of vix. i don't have a fb page but thanks for coming over curtise. x

      Delete
  67. Wow- such a sweet, beautiful, loving wedding. I love everything about it. I am crazy about those antique runners!! The bride's dress is stunning, and you look very lovely.

    I would love to see more of what the guest wore. And a big shoot out to those bikers for being so gracious and awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  68. There is so much about this post that I LOVE. First, I love how you kept it simple yet it is still so beautiful. Kudos to your kiddos for buying vintage/used too (I try to live by this too) and for having a wedding that didn't put them into serious debt. I wish more couple would choose this simple route to wedded bliss. It reminds me of the type of weddings that were more common in the first half of the 20th century--before weddings became BIG business. The photography, flowers and details are all stunning...the bride beautiful. Well done, Janet! Thank you for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Congratulations to you and the happy couple! Everything looked so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  70. This looks incredibly beautiful!! You must be so very happy. Congratulations on getting a beautiful daughter-in-law, who is obviously lovely inside and out! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  71. Oh Janet, everything turned out so beautiful and what a great looking couple Alex and Brittany make! She is just adorable. I would die for a complexion like that!

    And you looked great BTW! You said in your email that you were dressed like an ordinary day running errands...I think not! What you wore was perfect for the theme of the wedding. And like you said the Tory Burch dress probably would have gotten ruined.

    That is a great photo of the four of you and I agree with your comment about the last one. So sweet!

    Would love to see more photos!!!

    Linda
    xo


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S. I told my daughter to check out this post...her and Nick are HUGE fans of Sons of Anarchy, dressed up like the cast with her friends for Halloween this year. She showed me the pics and they were great! I asked her to send me a couple. If I get some I will send them to you.

      Delete
  72. I will joyously receive anything more you want to give us on this absolutely perfect wedding.

    Actually, I think I am stunned. Halfway thru scrolling, tears welled up in my eyes.

    Every photo is worthy of a magazine spread. This is like the most boho-chic thing I've seen in a long time, if ever.

    You couldn't have looked more perfect in your outfit, Janet. I'm overusing the word...but everything is just...perfect. Could there be a more exquisitely-beautiful bride in that exquisitely-beautiful yoga garden?

    I am so grateful that you shared all of this with your readers. I have to come back again and again to digest all of it. (But I'll only comment once, if I can control myself.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A tiny little aside: I'm so glad someone mentioned Instagram (I went back and read everyone's comments). I forget all about Instagram. OMG, the yoga poses; you give me inspiration. Look at your strength. I want that. I could do it at age 24. Now, never. But you give me hope.

      Delete
  73. Beautiful wedding Janet! Your son and now daughter in law, choose to have a wedding to fit their wants and expense for all. So hard to do with weddings now. Love her vintage dress. Beautiful couple! Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
  74. the wedding was beautiful, stylish and totally cool! and like everyone else I thought the dress was gorgeous!
    eagerly looking forward to more pics as they are available.
    Darby

    ReplyDelete
  75. The bride's vintage chemise is GORgeous! Her bouquet, and blue brooch, perfection. Beautiful bride, and handsome groom! The MOB looked lovely as well, good choice of attire for you Janet. Yummy looking cheese platters. And I liked the children's apple table as well. I still think using the '49s tailgate was an excellent and unique choice for the cake service. So happy all went well, and extremely impressed with the under $3k budget! What lovely memories. May the bride and groom be blessed with many happy years together. Thank you again for "inviting" us to your son's CA garden wedding. And yes vote for the LA fashions photos.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Oh wow! Such a beautiful wedding. I'd love to see more! It will be a great help when planning my daughters wedding. And it is nice to see two people in love who don't feel the need to spend 'tens of thousands' on a wedding. And this was even more beautiful because of that.Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Congratulations Janet, and to all involved in putting this together so quickly! A wonderful day and so uniquely beautiful. So fortunate too that the bride and groom share your passion for simplicity, gardens and vintage treasures. The flowers were gorgeous - so often they're one of the big expenses of a wedding - but you worked miracles. Look forward to seeing more pics in due course. Best wishes, Pammie xx

    ReplyDelete
  78. Totally gorge and personal, Love everything and would enjoy seeing more. Play by play is interesting and helpful to so many. You are blessed to gain a new daughter! Congrats to all. So funny about Larry in boxers at the last minute. Your authenticity really is what makes this blog a good read! Thanks for sharing and look forward to more.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Oh my goodness, the wedding looked amazing! These photos look like they are from a styled magazine shoot!
    I hope you were thanked for your efforts!!
    Congratulations xo

    ReplyDelete
  80. You are the best Mother-in-law and Father-in-law ever.
    What a rockin hip wedding.
    Congrats to the Mr. & Mrs. Love to all.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  81. Wonderful!!! Gorgeous bride and groom .... brilliant setting and a totally hip, groovy and Cali-chic wedding!!! Your bouquets are perfect!

    Well done to all!

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  82. Congratulations to the happy couple and the entire family Janet!! I wish them much love, light and happiness in the years to come.
    Two weeks to plan a wedding??! My stomach just did a little flip even thinking about it. Looks like you had a perfect day though and lots of fun, and everything went beautifully. A gorgeous bride, lovely dress, adorable groom. I'm so happy for you!
    xx SP

    ReplyDelete
  83. What a stunning, beautiful, creative wedding. The bride and groom are lovely and the setting and feel of everything was a joy to look at. Thanks for sharing your son's special day with everyone😃.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Wow - what a stylish event, but how vert happy it all looks too and how true somehow? Isn't authenticity the coolest thing, and good grief, how gorgeous are the happy couple? All joy to them, and what a great mum you are helping to make it all so special for them. That vintage bridal dress. Swoon.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Beyond incredible. Every bit of this is perfection. The truck with the cake, beautiful garden lights, the carport fabric panels, the bride and groom's look ... it couldn't be better.

    Your outfit was perfect and reflected you as much as the wedding decor reflected the bride and groom. And your hair is so cute right now. Love the current length, shape and styling.

    This is the way to do it ... throw a fun and stylish party rather than stressing for months and months over details and spending a year's salary. Congrats to your son and daughter-in-law.

    ReplyDelete
  86. beautiful in it's simplicity. can I pin some of your pics on my pinterest board? http://www.pinterest.com/afridaysgirl/

    ReplyDelete
  87. Lovely cottage!! Cheese platters looks amazing, and well plated. I am sure everyone had enjoyed BBQ and assorted salads menu. You know I have also planned menu with the event planner, and he will arrange everything in San Diego Wedding venues as per our decided theme.

    ReplyDelete

kindness is never out of style.

Back to Top