Nancy Neil‘s photos from Jocelyn and Wes’s wedding are too wonderful for words, so all I’ll say is that this wedding is gorgeous proof that the only theme a wedding needs is the two people getting married. And now I’m just going to stand back and let the picture do the talking…

Credits: small private planes, rustic painted wedding sign

Credits: cracked tarmac wedding photos

Credits: bat box bird house bride with pearl bracelet

Credits: bride in red leather cowboy boots

Credits: simple calligraphy wedding invitations

Jocelyn designed all the signage and invitation. Invitations were then printed at a local printer.

Credits: flying m ranch dinner bell

Credits: wedding ceremony paper fan

Credits: simple outdoor wedding ceremony california ranch

Says Jocelyn, “Wes’s god brother (a super cool motorcycle rocker dude, who insisted he be wearing a gun during the ceremony – in the spirit of our cowboy/western wedding) agreed to marry us, which really made the ceremony intimate and special.”

Credits: romantic-gray-pink-bouquet

Escort cards were displayed in shotgun shells, and a sign on the table read, “This ain’t no shotgun wedding; y’all have proper seats!”

Credits: creative escort card display shotgun shells

Credits: wedding guest cowboy boots long skirt

Guests were encouraged to dress in “Ranch Elegant” or “Cowboy Cocktail” attire. The bride even wore red cowboy boots, and the groom wore a Flying M Ranch belt buckle.

Credits: light gray suit groom personalized belt buckle

Credits: burlap table runners mason jar vases

Simple floral arrangements and burlap table runners fit the elegant rustic ranch feel of the wedding. 

Credits: paella wedding buffet

Credits: tuna tartare tacos passed hors doeuvres

Credits: wedding guest plaid shirt cowboy hat

Credits: small wedding cake with red dahlia

Credits: bouquet toss dance floor paper lanterns cluster

This is such a special wedding, with so many personal details – don’t you love it?! Jocelyn kindly answered some questions about the day:

Why did you choose this venue for your wedding?  The ranch is very special place for my husband’s family, so it seemed fitting that we hold our wedding there. It’s a beautiful, expansive cattle ranch in Merced County where the family has gathered for holidays and retreats over several generations. Aviation is another important aspect of the ranch (there’s a 3000-foot runway on the property) and for my husband, and we had several guests (who are also private pilots) come land at the ranch for the wedding.

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding?  I wanted everything to be natural and rustic (the location was a cattle ranch after all), and tried to include personal touches that reflected our personalities and interests: guests went home with camo coozies since Wes likes to hunt and drink beer; we served good food, good wine, and decorated with beautiful flowers since those were the aspects I really cared about; Wes grew up around airplanes and earned his own private pilot’s license by the age of 18, and we tried to showcase his family’s aviation history in various parts of our wedding (live fly-bys to excite our guests and model airplanes to serve as table markers).

Menu

Signature cocktails: Jocelyn’s Pineapple Margarita (tequila, limeade, pineapple juice), Wes’s Sparkling Orange Man-Cooler (orange-infused sparkling water, white Zinfandel) // Appetizers: Lobster Bisque with Truffle Cream, Mushroom Sachets, Ahi Tacos // First course: Organic Field Greens with Peaches and Ricotta Salata // Buffet dinner: Paella Valencia, Filet Mignon with Pancetta, Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Fennel, Fresh Summer Vegetables, Crepes Gratinée // Dessert: Vanilla Cutting Cake with Vanilla Frosting and Pies in Berry, Chocolate, Peach, and Apple

Vendors

Photography: Nancy Neil / Venue: private ranch in Merced, California / Bride’s dress: Pronovias / Red cowboy boots: Luchesse / Groom’s suit: Calvin Klein / Flowers: Natalie Galasso Designs / Catering: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme / Cake and desserts: Sweet Temptations / Music: Rough Puppy / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Congratulations Jocelyn and Wes! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful day! Y’all can read more about the wedding, and see lots more beautiful photos over on Jocelyn’s blog, right HERE.