Ralston White Retreat Wedding » Mill Valley, California

Melissa and Jason's wedding at the historic Ralston White Retreat on Mount Tamalpais was a dreamy celebration that blended the magic of the redwood forest with deeply personal touches at every turn. The day began with Melissa getting ready upstairs at the retreat alongside her bridesmaids, each wearing a different color dress that created a gorgeous rainbow when they all gathered together. Once everyone was dressed and ready, Melissa and Jason shared an emotional first look down by the redwoods near the garden, followed by portraits at the serene reflecting pond where the towering trees created a cathedral-like setting. For their ceremony, the couple invited guests to hike half a mile into the forest to a little clearing among the trees that they had handpicked as the perfect spot to exchange their vows. After saying "I do" surrounded by ancient redwoods and their closest loved ones, Melissa and Jason led everyone back toward the house in a joyful wedding parade that set the celebratory tone for the rest of the evening. Guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers on the lawn and porch before settling in for an al fresco reception dinner on the side lawn, beautifully decorated with personal touches including charming illustrations that Melissa had drawn herself featuring their beloved dog, Poppy. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening air turned cool, everyone moved indoors for the couple's first dance, dessert, and a dance party that carried on well into the night.

Wedding Venue: Ralston White Retreat // Wedding Planner: Small Blue Planet // Floral Design: Luna & Castillo // Hair + Make-Up: Marilyn Nguyen of Fox and Belle Salon // Caterer: Blue Heron Catering // Super 8 Videographer: Gather Films // DJs: Heart of Gold