When Rachel + Keith first got engaged, they quickly decided that one thing they wanted was a private ceremony with immediate family only in attendance. As Rachel puts it, It felt so much more special and intimate, and helped us really focus on each other. But these two wanted a party as well, so they next day they threw a big "fiesta" at Olivas Adobe in Ventura, California for all their close friends + fam. The open space was perfect for the relaxed vibe they were going for. There were colorful table runners, vibrant tissue paper garlands, and vases filled with gorgeous, bright flowers. Oh, and Rachel wore the most ah-maze floral print 70's vintage dress from The Kissing Tree Vintage. Many more photos of that beauty to come! But first, let's hear more about the fun wedding weekend directly from her:

Our immediate family members all live across the country, and when they flew in the day before the ceremony, they didn't know very much about what we had planned! It was so fun to watch them enjoy the weekend without worrying about the details or schedules. The party was a blast, but the ceremony on the beach was so peaceful and perfect, it was like our wildest dream come true. By far the most memorable moment of that day was holding hands and as we ran into the ocean, taking the plunge (ha ha)! We saw it as a spiritual cleansing of the slate as we started our married life together. It felt incredible!

The lovely ceremony shots were by Briscoe Photo + Jenna Bechtholt captured the fun reception photos below...

Oh, that dress!!!

To pull together their fiesta reception, Rachel + Keith purchased decorative objects from Craigslist, thrift stores, and Downtown LA wholesale stores.

The pretty design (+ planning!) by PS & Associates Event Planning was a great match for the wild flower style florals by Rosebud Floral Design (who also crafted Rachel's vibrant flower crown).

#1) If you and your fiance have the ability (and desire) to plan the day yourselves, we say GO FOR IT! We found it so much more relaxing to create the schedule of events ourselves, without family and/or outside influences telling us what we "should" do. It honestly brought us closer together, and it was very reassuring to find out that we pictured identical celebrations!

That being said... #2) Hire a wedding coordinator! We could not have pulled all the pieces together without our very savvy day-of planner. We came up with the concepts, and she made sure they worked out exactly as we imagined.

ceremony photography: Briscoe Photo // reception photography: Jenna Bechtholt Photography // venue: Olivas Adobe Ventura, California // event design + planning: PS & Associates Event Planning // florals + flower crown: Rosebud Floral Design // wedding dress: ceremony dress from Jill Stuart from Bloomingdales (hem shortened and halter added),reception dress was 70's vintage from The Kissing Tree Vintage // hairpieces: ceremony flower crown from Urban Outfitters // shoes: BCBG Generation // makeup: Courtney Williams - All Dolled Up Beauty Team // groom suit: Coral colored pants by J.Crew, Brown blazer is vintage Penguin; Shirts are from random boutiques in LA // paper goods: We used a Paperless Post design template and customized all of our paper goods in Photoshop // catering: Lemonade // cake: Action Cookies // party favors: Custom Lip Balms by Jess' Bee Natural // decor: The decorations were purchased by the bride and groom from Craigslist, Thrift stores, and downtown LA wholesale stores // officiant: Stephanie Syd Yang // music: The California Honeydrops