A Burgundy and Green Wedding Draped Between Old Plaster and Weathered Wood

A Closer Look

Carmel Mission Basilica was the starting point for Marina and Christian's wedding. Its ornate plastered surfaces and dramatic architecture blend Spanish colonial and Roman influences, and rather than compete with them, OSO Events kept the design simple and let the space speak for itself. A palette of natural woods, whites, fresh greens and deep burgundy carried right down to the bridesmaids' mismatched satin in wine, sage and olive, and nearly every choice played something soft against something structured.

P.S. Buds brought that palette into the florals. At the altar, dusty hydrangeas and calla lilies sat on pedestals wrapped in white fabric, with strands of burgundy amaranthus left to hang loose. The same amaranthus spilled gently from Marina's bouquet and returned later at the reception.

Marina, a fashion blogger, brought a modern, editorial edge that grew as the day went on. For the church ceremony, she wore a classic strapless ball gown, its full skirt and veil tempering the stone around her. For the reception, she changed into an ivory lace dress with short sleeves and sharpened it with black: black shoes, a black handbag and long black ribbons falling from her hair. Christian skipped the traditional black tux for a tailored ivory dinner jacket that stood crisp against both of her looks.

At The Barns at Cooper Molera, a restored historic barn venue in Monterey, straight rows of tables filled the courtyard, dressed in white linen and bentwood chairs, with low arrangements of the ceremony flowers breaking up their lines. Every place was accessorized as carefully as the bride, with menus tied in green tassels, numbers printed in burgundy and an eyelet lace runner marking the couple's seats. A swan dish held matchboxes for guests, and a ruffle-trimmed fabric sign hung over the wooden bar brought the whole look full circle.

From there, guests passed through blush curtains into the barn for dessert and dancing, the room lit simply and bejeweled with a single disco ball.