Here's What Happens When You Host an Elevated Garden Party Wedding Inside a Greenhouse

bride groom kiss outdoors greenhouse
Anna Delores Photography

Though Katherine and Scott were both undergrads on the same campus at Northwestern University in 2010, it took both of them leaving the country before they'd finally have the opportunity to properly meet. "It wasn't until we were both on the same study abroad program in Prague our junior year that we got to know each other better," says Katherine, who works in the communications department at Gatorade.

That's why it was especially fitting that Scott, an MBA candidate, chose to return to the country where the couple first established their connection when he was ready to pop the question. The proposal wasn't a complete surprise to Katherine ("We designed the ring together and being back in Prague was just too perfect," she says), but one aspect of the moment truly was shocking: "Scott proposed outside of the dorm where we lived. It was surreal celebrating back where it all begin—Prague will always be a place we treasure!"

Despite their deep love for the European country, the couple kept things stateside for their wedding on August 31, 2019, when they gathered 120 loved ones for a cliffside ceremony at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm in Santa Barbara, California. Not ones to over-decorate, they chose what they called an "elevated backyard party" theme, using late summer fruits as a starting point for their rich palette of reds, deep plums, peaches, and purples. "Decide early on which elements of the day are really important to you," Katherine suggests. "Beyond the most important part—having an amazing celebration with our family and friends—for us it was hosting cocktail hour out on the bluff, a live band, and dinner served family-style. While a number of things changed throughout the planning process, especially because it was two years long, we held true to those things. And we're so glad we did."

Watch Katherine and Scott's wedding video by Jay and Mack Films.

01 of 16

California, Here We Come

invitation suite letter pressed rose gold foil
Anna Delores Photography

Swell Press designed a clean and modern invitation suite that featured letterpressed rose gold foil and an illustration of the venue's greenhouse, where the reception would take place. Vintage stamps from Little Postage House hinted at California and the day's botanical motifs.

02 of 16

They're Bluffing

wedding ceremony outdoor ocean mountain view
Anna Delores Photography

When Katherine first discovered Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm on Instagram, she kept it in the back of her mind—just in case. "We fell for the venue largely because of the beautiful bluff where we could hold our ceremony," she says. They even decided against an arbor so that nothing would block the view. Instead, they filled two large urns with flowers within their palette.

03 of 16

Nice and Easy

bride groom holding hands greenhouse entrance
Anna Delores Photography

The couple opted for relaxed looks; Scott wore a custom navy suit from Suitsupply, and Katherine slipped into an A-line wedding dress with all-over ivory lace by Alon Livne White. "I actually didn't have that 'ah-ha' moment when shopping," she says. "I left L.A., where I shopped, with two dresses in mind. About a month later it dawned on me that I was in love with the Alon Livne gown. My piece of advice: If you have the luxury of time and you don't have that 'gut' feeling, take your time!"

04 of 16

Best Buds

bride wedding bouquet pink garden flowers
Anna Delores Photography

Katherine's relaxed Siren Floral Co. bouquet contained garden roses (a mix of carding mill, munstead wood, and romantic antike), blackberry foliage, jasmine, purple clematis, blooming oregano, and brown lisianthus.

05 of 16

The Whole Gang

bride bridesmaids pink shade dresses pose outdoors
Anna Delores Photography

To avoid a totally uniform look, the couple asked groomsmen to wear their own navy suits; bridesmaids could choose dresses in line with the event's palette.

Katherine's bridesmaids wore gowns in different shades from Jenny Yoo, Shona Joy, and Fame & Partners. "I loved how the colors and styles looked together, and that they allowed each of my friends to express themselves—one of my friends chose a jumpsuit!" she notes.

06 of 16

Huge Fans

guest fans wedding program ribbon ties
Anna Delores Photography

Knowing that their guests would be exposed to direct sunlight during the ceremony, the couple printed their programs on fans tied with Tono + Co. ribbons. Parasols were also on hand to provide extra shade.

07 of 16

On the Aisle

wedding floral arrangement pink shades
Anna Delores Photography

Potted arrangements, composed of unique blooms in all shades of pink, marked the entrance to the ceremony space.

08 of 16

Precious Moments

wedding ceremony vow exchange ocean mountain view
Anna Delores Photography

A minister officiated the non-denominational ceremony, which incorporated Christian prayers, a Bible reading, self-penned vows, and a reading from The Velveteen Rabbit, a story that holds special significance to the couple (Scott gave Katherine a copy on their first anniversary of dating). To honor Scott's Indian heritage, they also did their own take on a saptapadi, or "seven steps" rite.

The bride marks the service as a favorite memory. "We are so glad we made the decision to write our own vows. I think so much of planning a wedding can feel like going through the motions and following age-old patterns. To take a few minutes to talk about how much we love each other and why we love each other made it so much more personal and real," says the bride. "We didn't tell each other much about what we were going to say (though we did set a three-minute time limit)—though we wrote the actual vows ('I promise…') together, which we loved doing."

09 of 16

Drink Up

cocktail hour wedding bar greenhouse space
Anna Delores Photography

Celebrants ventured inside the greenhouse during cocktail hour, where they were treated to two signature drinks: an Aperol spritz and a lavender vodka lemonade. Small bites, like crostinis, seared albacore, and gougères, made the rounds, as well.

10 of 16

Floral Moment

burgundy centric foliage fruit reception decor
Anna Delores Photography

Fruits defined much of the reception's décor, including the bar's statement floral vignette, composed of burgundy-centric foliage, astilbe, and cockscomb; below, a bowl of grapes, cut peaches, and plums added texture.

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11 of 16

Places, Please

wedding reception place cards with ribbon
Anna Delores Photography

Guests found their seats thanks to place cards, tagged with multi-colored ribbons within the celebration's color scheme, printed by Swell Press.

12 of 16

Hang Time

wedding reception greenhouse space greige chandeliers
Anna Delores Photography

Wild Heart Events worked with Barron & Stoll Interior and Event Design on the reception area; they hung 50 "greige" chandeliers in different sizes and heights to add intimacy to the vast greenhouse space. "As someone who gravitates toward neutrals, I had to realize that it wasn't the best approach with the greenhouse," Katherine says. "The colors in the linens, the beautiful florals, and the textures from the lanterns really created an incredible atmosphere that truly popped—in a way that neutrals couldn't in that space."

13 of 16

Table Talk

Mismatched vases floral arrangements greenhouse building
Anna Delores Photography

Mismatched vases added variety to floral arrangements; sliced fruits added another natural touch. Also at the table? Gray dinner plates from California-based Heath Ceramics.

14 of 16

Pops of Burgundy

wedding reception floral centerpiece greenhouse
Anna Delores Photography

While some tables were topped with tall, vertical arrangements with plenty of foliage, others were marked by smaller compotes, which were more bloom-heavy.

15 of 16

A Night to Remember

reception table setting pink cloth menu rosemary
Anna Delores Photography

Sprigs of rosemary rested on the dinner menu, which told of the farm salad, cedar-planked salmon, grilled tri-tip, market vegetables, and skillet-roasted potatoes to come. For dessert, everyone indulged in white cake with vanilla buttercream.

Following their first dance to "Coming Home" by Leon Bridges, the couple and their guests danced the night away, thanks The Half Moons from Dart Collective. "They were absolutely a highlight of the night! They kept the energy going and are just incredible entertainers," says the bride. "The only downside was Santa Barbara County noise ordinances meant they were cut off at 10:00 p.m. Luckily, we planned to keep the party going at Sama Sama Kitchen in downtown Santa Barbara, where we had reserved the back patio."

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