Thanksgiving is just a day away, so today I wanted to do two things. First of all, I want to wish you all the happiest of happy Thanksgivings, and tell you how thankful I am for you!!! Every time I get an email from a bride telling me how The Loveliest Day inspired her, or sharing her wedding with me, it fills my heart! The second thing I want to do today is share this beautiful rustic autumn wedding with you! Not only is it absolutely perfect for the holiday upon us, (Thanksgiving table inspiration, *wink, wink*), it was sent over by the bride, Brittany. I’m having full heart overload today, people!

Here’s some more about this wedding from the bride, Brittany:

Our wedding planning journey began even before Sergio proposed as I had been compiling a list of venues in the area that fit our criteria. I even had an appointment to a venue on the day we got engaged! We knew we wanted to be married in the fall, outdoors, surrounded by nature. To me, autumn is the most romantic season with the leaves changing, the air getting crisper and fireplaces roaring to life (even though San Diego has less than adequate change of seasons). We found our venue, Temecula Creek Inn, the second weekend we searched. We didn’t even have an appointment but we arrived an hour earlier than we had anticipated for our other appointments and decided to swing by. Sergio and I hadn’t made an appointment because we had already been to Temecula Creek Inn for our 2nd dating anniversary trip. We didn’t see the Stone House when we stayed there but I am so glad we were able to see it without an appointment. We took one look around and were sold! The Stone House is nestled against a mountainside in a grove of oak trees. It’s like taking a step back in time and a world away from the city. The Stone House was used as a mess hall in the 1800’s for miners from the nearby quarry.

We wanted a rustic, organic, natural feel while using the jewel toned autumn palette and mixing traditional with unexpected elements.

Sergio and I made the wooden signs and the directional post.

I am Cherokee and was raised with the Cherokee heritage and culture. Sergio is Kumeyaay, a tribe native to San Diego. Though we still wanted to have the traditional Western ceremony, we also wanted to incorporate our cultural background. To honor Sergio’s heritage we were getting married on his homeland. We asked my dad to perform the Cherokee portion of the wedding ceremony. On wine barrels set on either side of the entrance of the aisle were abalone shells with burning sage bundles. As the guests walked to their seats they were smudged with the smoke from the sage. Smudging cleanses people and the area of bad spirits, feelings or influences while the ceremony is conducted.

My dad began the ceremony by having Sergio and I exchange the Cherokee double walled baskets that were handmade by Sergio and I. My basket held dried corn while Sergio’s held venison which are representations of our responsibilities in our marriage to provide for each other.

Our tables had burlap runners I made and napkins with wheat stalks and tied in raffia.

Our table numbers were wood burned tree slices. Each table was based on a day that was significant in our relationship.

We wanted to create a sense of warmth so we had candles everywhere and fires lit in the fire pit outside and the fireplace inside.

Brittany also shared this video of their first dance, along with an explanation:

We chose to combine the traditional first dance with a surprise dance mix that was unknown to all of our guests, even our maid of honor and best man. We started with “Only You Can Love Me This Way” by Keith Urban and surprised our guests by jumping into “Like a G6” by the Far East Movement. The rest of our Ultimate Wedding mix was “Sexy Chick” by David Guetta, “Baby I Like it” by Enrique Iglesias, “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, “We No Speak Americano” by Yolanda Be Cool and Dcup “Cotton Eyed Joe” by Rednecks and a Riverdance song “Lord of the Dance” by Ronan Hardiman and Michael Flatley.

Vendors:

Photography: Emily Faulknor Photography
Day of Coordination: One and Only Events
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Temecula Creek Inn
DJ: Vynce with DJ Phreek
Florist: Tessilk
Cake: Yves Fournier
Pies: Julian Pie Company
Bride’s Dress: Custom Casablanca via 2000 Dreams Bridal
Cinematography: Ashley Video Productions
Design: Bride + friend Denise Slepak
Officiant: Alison of One and Only Events
Stationery: Bride + friend of bride
Calligraphy + Hair and Makeup: AnnaMae Ouimet of One and Only Events
Catering: Temecula Creek Inn
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: After Six
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse