An Outdoor Vintage, Rustic-Inspired Green Wedding at a Vineyard in California

leila-tony-mwds107914-019.jpg
Photo: Jose Villa
01 of 31

The Happy Couple

leila-tony-mwds107914-019.jpg
Jose Villa

For Leila Khalil and Tony Lewis, red-letter moments always involve a celebratory bottle of wine. Tony proposed at a winery in Paso Robles, California, with their favorite vino, Grgich Hills Estate Fume Blanc, and a round diamond in a 1920s-style setting. "The moment he pulled out that bottle, I knew what was happening," says Leila, the owner of a public relations firm in Los Angeles.

A vineyard wedding was a no-brainer, as was a palette of green, the bride's favorite color. Here, the bride, in Carolina Herrera, and her Banana Republic–clad groom stop to smooch in the orchard where they wed.

02 of 31

The Bouquet

leila-tony-mwds107914-6023.jpg
Jose Villa

Greenery reigned supreme in Leila's bouquet of mint, hellebores, ranunculus, and parrot tulips, adorned with her mother's locket.

03 of 31

Welcome Bags

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-001.jpg
Jose Villa

When they arrived at their hotel rooms in Santa Ynez, in the heart of wine country, guests discovered burlap totes stocked with area info, snacks, water, and (what else?) mini bottles of vino.

04 of 31

Pre-Ceremony Embrace

leila-tony-mwds107914-012.jpg
Jose Villa

Leila and Tony's embrace before the ceremony.

05 of 31

The Bridesmaids

leila-tony-mwds107914-018.jpg
Jose Villa

The bridesmaids wore the same Jenny Yoo gown in different shades of green.

06 of 31

Groomsmen

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-002.jpg
Jose Villa

Green ties in different patterns and thistle-and-olive branch boutonnieres accented the guys' Banana Republic suits.

07 of 31

Ties

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-031.jpg
Jose Villa

The couple picked out neckwear in a mix of prints from Banana Republic and The Tie Bar and let each guy choose his favorite. Here, they're all displayed on a vintage wooden tie rack.

08 of 31

Jewelry

leila-tony-mwds107914-001.jpg
Jose Villa

The bride's baubles -- floral studs, a gift from her sister, and her mother's locket, a present from her parents -- were displayed in her grandmother's antique jewelry box.

09 of 31

Boutonnieres

leila-tony-mwds107914-3315.jpg
Jose Villa

Thistle-and-olive-branch boutonnieres were trimmed with twine.

10 of 31

Invitations

leila-tony-mwds107914-0003.jpg
Jose Villa

Guests received fig-themed invitation booklets and welcome bags tied with exuberant greeting tags.

11 of 31

The Ring Bearer

leila-tony-mwds107914-025.jpg
Jose Villa

Ring bearer Dylan Lewis cheered on the couple.

12 of 31

Littlest Attendants

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-003.jpg
Jose Villa

Dylan and his sister, Grace, carried a paper flag and a wooden basket of blooms.

13 of 31

Cocktail Fare

leila-tony-mwds004274-024.jpg
Jose Villa

To represent their backgrounds, the couple went with a "Midwest meets Middle East" theme at cocktail hour, offering hors d'oeuvres such as fresh dates, which are popular in Lebanese cuisine, and cheeses from Tony's home state of Wisconsin.

14 of 31

Nontraditional Guest Book

leila-tony-mwds107914-009.jpg
Jose Villa

In lieu of a guest book, cards and pre-stamped envelopes were on hand so guests could mail their well-wishes.

15 of 31

Antique Decor

leila-tony-mwds107914-9028.jpg
Jose Villa

Vintage wine decanters used as decor added to the reception's theme.

16 of 31

Dinner

leila-tony-mwds004265-030.jpg
Jose Villa

Guests enjoyed a meal of lamb and lemon chicken at long tables set in rows on the grass.

17 of 31

Cute Condiments

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-022.jpg
Jose Villa

Here, decanters are trimmed with artful tags.

18 of 31

Seating

leila-tony-mwds107914-0051.jpg
Jose Villa

To create relaxed cabanas, curtains, shelves, and shutters were hung over tables from ladder-like structures. Mason jar lanterns filled with candles were suspended from antique riddling racks, once used to store wine, for a rustic chandelier effect.

19 of 31

Creative Display

leila-tony-mwds107914-020.jpg
Jose Villa

A massive oak hung with photos served as a family tree.

20 of 31

Sweet Saying

leila-tony-mwds107914-004.jpg
Jose Villa

The newlyweds held a banner that references Tony's proposal, when he asked Leila if she'd be with him "for all my days."

21 of 31

Cake Display

leila-tony-mwds107914-017.jpg
Jose Villa

Simple white cakes, some with ribbons and fresh figs, were displayed on a bookshelf. "I love the outdoors and all things green. The color symbolizes growth and renewal, which is what weddings are all about," says Leila.

22 of 31

A Parade of Cakes

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-027.jpg
Jose Villa

Fresh figs pop against a sheet of snowy fondant on this red velvet cake with cream cheese filling.

23 of 31

Candy Bar Cake

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-008.jpg
Jose Villa

A "candy bar" cake (vanilla with a chocolate ganache, peanut butter, and salted caramel filling) was finished with buttercream and fresh olive branches.

24 of 31

Red Velvet Cake

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-007.jpg
Jose Villa

Another red velvet cake was trimmed with scalloped buttercream ruffles and a satin ribbon.

25 of 31

Chocolate-and-Peanut Butter Cake

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-011.jpg
Jose Villa

Tiers in nontraditional sizes give a chocolate-and-peanut butter cake, clad in fondant and sugar ruffle bands, a modern look.

26 of 31

Candy Cake

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-006.jpg
Jose Villa

Green helleborus blossoms ringedv a candy bar-flavored cake covered in smooth fondant.

27 of 31

Engagement Ring

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-722.jpg
Jose Villa

Leila's round diamond rests in a 1920s-style platinum setting with a pave diamond band. The prongs, which are arranged in a north-south-east-west formation, are a unique touch.

28 of 31

Cocktails

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-025.jpg
Jose Villa

A beverage station was stocked with carafes of cucumber-, melon-, and mint-infused water and basil lemonade. A vintage cabinet that belonged to Leila's mother anchored the display.

29 of 31

The Lounge

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-028.jpg
Jose Villa

To create the feeling of being at home with family and friends, the couple set up a cozy seating area with living room furnishings and a coat rack draped with pashminas for guests to borrow.

30 of 31

Surprise Ending

leila-tony-wds107914-r01-0003.jpg
Jose Villa

Once the party was in full swing, the arrival of a cigar roller was the only thing that lured guests away from the dance floor, says Leila.

31 of 31

Sources

leila-tony-mwds107914-012.jpg
Jose Villa

Location: Demetria Estate

Event Planning: Cortnie Purdy of Canvas and Canopy

Catering: Contemporary Catering

Flowers: Carissa Jones of JL Designs

Stationery: Mimio Papers

Additional Stationery: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations

Music: Rembrandt

DJ: Hey Mister DJ

Wedding Photography: Jose Villa

Wedding Filmography: Joel Seratto Films

Custom Flags and Banner: Joyful Joyful Designs

Cakes: Sweet and Saucy Shop

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles