Real Wedding | Lindsey + Eric

Lush green surroundings were the perfect backdrop for Lindsey and Eric’s elegant California wedding. I love their wedding theme “Growing Together” and all the creative ways they incorporated it into their special day. From the tree planting during the ceremony to the “guest book” where friends and family stamped (and signed) leaves onto a large canvas, this couple pulled it all together with sophisticated style.

Lindsey +  Eric | September 5, 2010 | Topanga, California

How they met

Through mutual friends in St. Louis just after college.

The Ceremony

A friend of ours presided over the ceremony in the lush garden at The Mountain Mermaid.  The theme was “growing together”, and we wrote our own vows, and planted a tree using soil from the bride’s childhood farm in Wisconsin, the groom’s mother’s flower garden in Cincinnati, and our balcony compost bin.

The Reception

Happy Hour was around the pool in the backyard garden while the musician played upbeat latin guitar.  Dinner and dancing were in the great room of the historic Mountain Mermaid – originally built as a country club in the 1930’s.  The colors were orange and pale yellow.  We kept the”growing together” theme going with our tree-in-a-box favors and the hand-painted tree that guests stamped leaves onto as our guest book.

The moment Lindsey will never forget

Dancing together for the first time as husband and wife.  It just felt so natural and fun that it really was the part that made it feel real, and so right.

How Lindsey knew her wedding dress was “The One”

The dress I ended up buying was the third one I tried on.  The quality of the fabric and the flattering style with the different textures and unique embellishments just made it impossible to beat, though I did try on about 10 more afterwards, just to be sure…

Why she decided to sell her wedding dress

I want someone else to enjoy it as much as I did.  It’s too wonderful to only wear once!

Lindsey’s dress: Ian Stuart, Seville / Photographer: Sandrinha Cruz of Poetic Light Photography