Today’s bride is utter elegance in her Vera Wang gown and a classic updo – a gorgeous foil to the rustic, eclectic style of this Big Sur wedding. Photos by Nancy Neil.
Has pleating ever looked so dreamy?!
The invitation suite highlighted the rugged Big Sur coast, and described the location of the wedding as “where the mountains meet the sea.”
A unique detail about this wedding location? “There is very little cell phone service in Big Sur,” says Sally, “Which most event planners would say is less than ideal when executing an important event! But we loved the fact that once you were there, you were there, and you just had to go with the flow. It helped people disconnect, relax, and be really present in the experience.”
Says Sally, “Music is a huge part of our life and our connection, so the music was very personal and so memorable! We asked several friends (most of whom had previously never even met) to come together with multiple guitars and vocals and perform “My Sweet Lord” for the processional and “If I Needed You” during the ceremony. Having a live music element, (as tricky as it was to coordinate given that we were outdoors, perched on the edge of the earth) was absolutely worth it.”
From Sally: “I’m a warm weather person (a Texan!) and was really hopeful that we’d have a sunny, clear day. It was the one thing I was fixated on up to the last minute! I was pretty bummed and anxious when the fog wasn’t lifting throughout the morning. But once we got to the venue, I realized all was exactly as it should be. The fog shrouded the coast and created a really beautiful, dramatic setting. Looking back, I’m so glad the weather turned out as it did. The photos were gorgeous and the sound carried really beautifully in the fog. It felt like we were all nestled together in a cloud. It was perfect.”
A custom neon sign with the newlyweds’ last name added a little rock ‘n’ roll flair to the reception site.
Guests roasted “Sosa’mores” (a play on the newlyweds’ last name) over a bonfire.
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We share a deep love and connection to the outdoors, and have spent many killer weekends in Big Sur together. We both just sort of knew and agreed that it had to be outdoors and that Big Sur was the dream. We chose this particular spot because it is stunning, charming, and unfussy. It’s all about the natural landscape, and despite the expanse of the view, it still feels very intimate. It’s hard not to feel something when you stand there, wedged between the ocean and the mountains, looking out across the most beautiful horizon.
Did you include any traditions in your wedding? My family on my mother’s side has a tradition of engraving a small gold clover with the wedding date to be sewn into the bride’s gown on a blue string. My sister was the most recent bride in the family, so she did the honors. Also on the thread was my grandmother’s wedding ring and a gorgeous vintage watch face that belonged to my namesake. That’s a lot of good luck to have stashed below the belt! Charlie and I also chose not to see each other before the ceremony. This was no small task, as the property is pretty much one big open lawn! But we managed and it was worth it.
What was the best advice you received as a bride? To make sure I continued on with life outside of wedding planning – hanging out with friends, prioritizing a self-care plan, and in general not becoming completely consumed by it. Luckily, I had amazing planning partners in my sister and my mom so I was able to maintain some normality to life and not get completely overwhelmed! Also, to respect and honor that getting engaged and getting married are profound life experiences. To take time to reflect and have patience with the transition Charlie and I were going through together.
What advice do you have for other brides? I’d share with them the advice above – try not to let the planning overtake your entire life. Make time for things you love to do, take good care of yourself, and be patient with yourself, your groom, and your family. Also – when it comes to the event, there are no rules! Make sure that you fill the day with things that you love over trends or things you think you “should” do. Ultimately, the best wedding will be one that reflects exactly who the two of you are.
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? Charlie is a screenwriter, so instead of the traditional escort card, Charlie wrote a mock screenplay. The story focused on an energetic little ringman (our 2 year old nephew) as he and the groom made their way through a beautiful wedding day setting pre-ceremony, searching for a lost wedding ring, and greeting guests and bantering with friends and family along the way. Every single guest’s name at our wedding was included in the screenplay either as a character name, in a scene heading, or action. The page on which your name appeared within the screenplay was your table number. On arrival, guests were met by a table displaying Henry Miller’s typewriter and stacks of mini screenplays that directed them to their seats.
See more eclectic details from this Big Sur wedding in the gallery.
