Photo: Elizabeth Messina1/57We wanted our suite of invitations to look ethereal, simple, and elegant. We worked with A Day In May design studio in San Francisco and calligrapher Tara Jones to create our custom collectsion.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina2/57Michael and I have a special love for foxes and came across this darling Coral & Tusk embroidered pillow for our ring bearer Henry to carry. He didn’t want to give up the pillow after walking down the aisle with it, and actually had a tug of war with Mike on the altar, which was one of the funniest moments of our ceremony!
Photo: Elizabeth Messina3/57Simple bouquets of lily of the valley and white peonies for our flower girls to carry.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina5/57My bridal bouquet consisted of lily of the valley, white peonies, and ranunculus. I wanted the arrangement to be white and green with just enough texture for the Basilica and my wedding gown.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina6/57I love this picture because it shows the preliminary setup of our floral chandelier and inside the custom built tent. This fabulous gentleman is part of the Kathleen Deery Design team.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina7/57My Nana was unable to fly across country for the wedding, so to make sure she was there in spirit, she had a custom bridal hanky made for me with my new initials and wedding date. This bridal handkerchief is from Julia B. and I wrapped it around my bouquet when walking down the aisle.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina8/57I borrowed this vintage pearl beaded clutch from a dear friend who carried it on her own wedding day. It’s from a small boutique in Paris and has been passed down for many generations.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina9/57My Oscar de la Renta wedding heels are my most favorite shoes that I own! I was a ballet dancer for 20 years, so it’s difficult to find heels that are not only chic and comfortable, but are also easy to dance in for multiple hours. These were an instant purchase when shopping for the wedding.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina10/57I loved seeing the train of my dress hanging while getting ready with my girls.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina12/57I love this image showcasing the details of the lace and covered buttons running down the back of my gown.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina13/57To me, this picture perfectly captures our photographer Elizabeth Messina’s ethereal aesthetic. There is a real romantic beauty that comes through in all of her images.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina14/57A close up picture of my single oval diamond set on a thin 18-karat yellow gold band.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina16/57Two of my nieces and flower girls, Caroline and Abigail, excited and ready to head to the church and walk down the aisle.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina17/57One of my dearest friends, Kimberly Kreuzberger with Goop, making sure the 11 kids in our wedding party are ready to make their big walk down the aisle.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina19/57My niece Caroline loving the candid moments with our wedding photographer.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina20/57I gave all of my 11 bridesmaids beautiful white burst earrings from Mignonne Gavigan. I loved the idea of a dramatic earring to dress up their looks.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina21/57Another stunning image captured by Elizabeth Messina of the light shining through my gown.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina22/57An exterior shot from the side of the Mission Basilica built in 1771. The architecture remains untouched and authentic in its Spanish nature.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina23/57An exterior shot from the front of the Mission Basilica as guests arrive and enter. We had opera singers and a string quartet play as guests took their seats.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina24/57Our bridesmaids and groomsmen making their way to the garden courtyard.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina25/57One of my favorite moments of the day was when my father saw me for the first time. It was a beautiful and emotional first look with my dad.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina26/57Mike and his dear mother spending time together before the ceremony began.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina28/57This is complete joy and happiness before walking to the bridal quarters in the Basilica to get married!
Photo: Elizabeth Messina29/57Mike and one of his best friends, at whose wedding we met, offering sweet words of wisdom.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina30/57Because the Basilica is a Mission Church, we were unable to adorn the pews or aisle with ornate floral arrangements. We loved keeping the space as it was though, as it is a truly enchanting setting.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina31/57My father walking me down the aisle to the classic “Pachelbel’s Canon in D,” played by the string quartet.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina32/57The moment when Mike and I see each other for the first time, and we’re both holding back happy tears.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina34/57My gorgeous bridesmaids enjoying the ceremony and sweet Caroline watching in her own private moment hiding in the pew.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina36/57Pure excitement as we are officially married and our guests erupt in loud cheers!
Photo: Elizabeth Messina39/57At Tehama, Clint Eastwood’s estate in Carmel, and ready to start the party!
Photo: Elizabeth Messina40/57We overnight shipped hundreds of my favorite cider doughnuts that I’ve enjoyed since I was a little girl from across the country. They were sent from Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. They were a huge hit!
Photo: Elizabeth Messina41/57On top of the property at Tehama on our way to see all of our guests for cocktail hour.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina42/57Our table settings consisted of velvet tablecloths brought in from La Tavola and fine china and flatware that reminded me of my grandmother’s collectsion from Hensley Event Resources and Classic Party Rentals based in San Francisco.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina43/57I wanted to keep the centerpieces a simple white and green theme, however Mike actually loved the idea of adding a bit of brown and color to the floral arrangements to keep in line with our venue and the fall season.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina44/57We had pairs of these arrangements placed on either end of our bars. They were massive and dramatic and a beautiful touch to dress up the bar spaces.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina45/57Spanish moss lined the two-mile drive up to Tehama and surrounded the entire property.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina46/57A view of the stage before the 12-piece band from Los Angeles, N’Demand, performed.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina47/57We had long kings tables that lined the perimeter of the clear and wood-beamed custom-built tent. Round tables were placed inside a grand room where we had fireplaces lit in each corner of the space.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina49/57The interior of the Basilica, and its raw space provided an intimate and romantic setting.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina51/57After we got engaged, Mike learned from my dad that my parents’ getaway car after they got married was a 1976 BMW Model 2002. They also happened to drive me home from the hospital after I was born in this same car. On our wedding day, Mike surprised everyone by showing up in an exact vintage 1976 BMW Model 2002 in blue (my something blue!) for our own getaway car.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina52/57A candid moment of us listening to the most incredible toasts given by my father, maid of honor, and best man.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina53/57A peek into guests enjoying the toasts before the formal sit-down dinner.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina54/57Our four-tiered wedding cake from Perfect Endings in Napa, California, which was half vanilla and raspberry and half red velvet.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina55/57Our first dance to Jimmy Durante, “Make Someone Happy.” Surprisingly, I was able to get Mike to a dance class beforehand so we were prepared with dance moves rather than getting out there and having no direction at all.
Photo: Elizabeth Messina56/57I loved loved loved the dress I changed into for dancing. I found it on Moda Operandi. It’s by an Australian designer named Rebecca Vallance. I didn’t want to take it off it was so much fun to dance in!
