ukiah

Relaxed Yokayo Ranch Wedding Weekend » Ukiah, California by Vivian Chen

Laura and Jake are one of my chillest and most stylish couples I know. The plan for their wedding was to ignore all the stuffy traditions and just get a good group of their favorite people together for a fun weekend away. Yokayo Ranch in Ukiah was the perfect venue for this. Their families and wedding party stayed with them on the ranch, which made getting ready on the day of just a continuation of the weekend festivities. Since both Jake and Laura work in the restaurant industry (Jake owns Hardwood Bar & Smokery in San Francisco), I knew that they would pull out all the stops for their meal and they did not disappoint. After dinner, the guests were treated to delicious dessert and a bud bar with personalized prerolls. My favorite part of the day was Laura and Jake’s dog Frank. He was with them every step of the day, from first look to walking down the aisle and sitting with them for the ceremony to partying on the dance floor. He’s so beloved that they even made enamel pins and personalized homemade hot sauce in his honor. Truly the best wedding pup ever!

Outdoor DIY Camp-Themed Leonard Lake Wedding » Redwood Valley, California by Vivian Chen

Hidden down a nine mile dirt road is Leonard Lake Reserve, a lovely little campground with cabins tucked in the hills of Redwood Valley. Elke and Eric have spent several summer weekends there with their friends and fell in love with the close communal feel of the place. When it was time to plan their wedding, Leonard Lake immediately came to mind. It allowed their wedding celebration to feel casual and intimate while letting the magic of the location to speak for itself. It was a DIY effort as everyone pitched in to make the decor, cook appetizers and get the venue ready for the big day. Their ceremony took place lakeside under a grove of oak trees with a handmade floral garland draped across the branches. Afterwards, Elke and Eric ducked away for a canoe ride on the lake while their guests serenaded them to a rousing rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" played by a family friend on acoustic guitar. The dinner reception continued under the stars with a delicious home cooked meal and pie for dessert before dancing the evening away.

Wedding Venue: Leonard Lake Reserve // Floral Design: DIY from Bluma Flower Farm // Catering: Bruxo Food Truck // Elke's Dress: BCBG // Eric's Suit: Hugo Boss // Hair & Make-Up: DIY // Decorations: DIY // Music: DIY