Two woodland-inspired weddings in one week is a rare treat, but what’s even more impressive is how each couple makes their special day entirely unique. Madison & Ryan’s celebration at Spring Creek in Modesto, California, was no exception: with a focus on luxe florals, delicate ferns, and mossy details, this wedding was a true masterpiece of nature-infused elegance.
Courtney Stockton Photography was the perfect choice to capture the couple’s joyous day, from their intimate ceremony setup to the sweet reception details that stole our hearts. What truly sets this wedding apart is the way Madison & Ryan chose to use their special day as an opportunity to give back: cookies baked by a local training initiative and favors supporting an international farming project, every element of their big day was infused with kindness and generositity.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Two woodland-inspired weddings in one week is a rare treat, but what’s even more impressive is how each couple makes their special day entirely unique. Madison & Ryan’s celebration at Spring Creek in Modesto, California, was no exception: with a focus on luxe florals, delicate ferns, and mossy details, this wedding was a true masterpiece of nature-infused elegance.
Courtney Stockton Photography was the perfect choice to capture the couple’s joyous day, from their intimate ceremony setup to the sweet reception details that stole our hearts. What truly sets this wedding apart is the way Madison & Ryan chose to use their special day as an opportunity to give back: cookies baked by a local training initiative and favors supporting an international farming project, every element of their big day was infused with kindness and generositity.
The Inspiration
Our wedding color palette was carefully curated to reflect the rustic charm of the venue’s oak trees – think sage green, plum purple, and ivory hues. This unique blend of colors was a deliberate nod to Ryan’s country upbringing and our desire for an intimate, relaxed atmosphere that felt more like a cozy gathering than a formal gala.
The Attire
I opted for a stunning dress from local favorite Bianca’s Bridal. Meanwhile, the rest of the bridal party donned exquisite gowns from a diverse range of brands including BHLDN, Dessy, Jim Hjelm, and David’s Bridal. To add an extra layer of personal touch, I gave each member of the party the freedom to choose their own attire, selecting colors that perfectly complemented their unique style.
The Ceremony
The ceremony’s officiant, a local professor with a passion for slam poetry, crafted a one-of-a-kind poem specifically for our special day. His words beautifully captured the essence of our love and commitment to each other.
The Flowers
The bouquet, arranged by my mother, featured a predominantly neutral palette with white and green tones dominating the arrangement. Soft pastel hues of light pink added a touch of subtlety to the overall design. The inclusion of lush ferns and velvety moss brought a sense of natural elegance to the composition.
Favourite Moments
As we paused during dinner, our photographer cleverly carved out a few precious moments for us to capture some stunning sunset shots together. It was a welcome respite from the whirlwind excitement, allowing us to take a collective deep breath and savor these intimate moments alone. Amidst this downtime, we also managed to squeeze in a first look – an experience that sparked mixed reactions among my loved ones.
Nevertheless, it was an unforgettable moment for Ryan and me to connect before the ceremony, sharing laughs and building anticipation for what was to come. This brief interlude proved to be the perfect antidote to any pre-wedding jitters I might have had.
The Decor & Details
The florist did an excellent job of decorating the ceremony site and reception. To cater to Madison’s sweet tooth, we set up a cookie bar with milk and freshly baked treats from Howard Training Center, a local charity. Another unique feature was our Bucket List table, where attendees could contribute ideas to add to our Couple Bucket List.
For the guest book, Madison’s mom created personalized signs directing guests to the various areas of the event, including the ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, and Ryan’s mom designed the ceremony programs, which doubled as fans on the hot day. Additionally, they put together a thoughtful Thank You sign for our thank you cards. Both moms played a significant role in assembling the favors – small terrariums with a donation to Heifer Project.
Budget Tips
The biggest splurge was the florist. We decided to take the plunge and invest in beautiful arrangements for our special day. While it was a significant cost, we managed to save elsewhere. Not having a wedding planner allowed us to cut costs, but in hindsight, I think we could have benefited from their expertise. To help keep expenses down, we also opted for local bachelor and bachelorette parties instead of going all out.
And, as an added bonus, Madison scored a great deal on her dress by purchasing the floor model – talk about getting lucky.
The Music
For our special day, we opted for a harmonious blend of classic and modern sounds. The processional featured a beautiful guitar rendition of Canon in D, setting the tone for an unforgettable ceremony. As we exchanged our vows, ‘You are the Best Thing’ by Ray LaMontagne provided a soulful backdrop, echoing our love story.
Our first dance as newlyweds was to the timeless elegance of Tony Bennett’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’, its smooth rhythms and heartfelt lyrics making it a perfect fit for our romantic moment. A touching father-daughter dance followed, with ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by The Beatles filling the air with joy and optimism.
Meanwhile, the cocktail hour featured lively French Jazz sounds from local band ‘Faux Gitane’, their Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies transporting us to a world of whimsy and delight.
The Honeymoon
As the whirlwind of wedding preparations subsides, it’s essential to carve out time for a newlywed couple to revel in their love and each other’s company. Even a brief honeymoon can be incredibly rejuvenating, providing an opportunity to reconnect and bask in the magic of their union. We recommend allowing at least a day for the dust to settle before embarking on your travels for Madison & Ryan, this downt Time was a chance for them to savor the aftermath of their special day.
They spent their first few days together exploring San Francisco before jetting off to Japan. The evening before their flight remains one of the most memorable nights they’ve shared, filled with laughter and joy as they savored the excitement of their new life together. Memories from this period are etched in their minds, including a sweet cookie bar that featured cold milk – a thoughtful touch that added to the celebration’s charm And who could forget that romantic first look?
It’s a testament to the power of love and the beauty of a well-crafted wedding day. We’re grateful to Courtney Stockton Photography for capturing these cherished moments, and to Madison & Ryan for sharing their enchanting nature-inspired wedding with us. Let yourself be inspired by more real weddings that showcase the unique personalities and stories behind each couple.
