Author: Alexa | Photography: Shannon Ingram
After nearly a decade together, this couple finally planned the wedding they had always imagined, and it involved DIY flowers, thrifted décor, and a very iconic pink car moment.
Some love stories move fast. Others take their time, and the result is a wedding that feels even more meaningful because of it.
Set along the breathtaking Northern California coast, their celebration felt less like a formal event and more like a joyful weekend with their favorite people. Vintage treasures, playful Palm Springs–inspired color, and thoughtful DIY details created a day that was effortlessly cool yet deeply personal. From thrifting décor to hand-selecting every flower for their arrangements, every element reflected their creativity and personality. And of course, there was the unforgettable moment of cruising the cliffs in a classic pink car because if you’re getting married by the ocean, you might as well make it iconic (duh).
Keep reading to discover their love story, the DIY flower magic behind the scenes, and the effortlessly cool details that made their coastal celebration one for the books.
Tell us about your relationship.
Grew up in the same small town, but started dating after high school (at 19 & 20) our first date was to go see Christmas lights + Italian food. My favorite thing about Brady is his calm demeanor, kind heart & the way he balances me out & brings me back down to earth. (his pretty eyes & great smile are a plus) He proposed in Sorrento, Italy! We were together for 8 years before having our daughter Stella, who got to join us at our wedding, at 1 year old :)
Why did you choose to DIY your flowers?
For the fun of it & cost efficiency. We were planning a small wedding with no bridesmaids so my main focus was my bouquet and the rest filled everything in.
How did you go about choosing your wedding color palette? Did it change throughout your planning process?
I knew I wanted color! I went with pinks & reds once I leaned more into a "vintage" vibe for everything else for the wedding. My inspo was kind of Boho meets old motel/ Palm Springs/vegas vibes.
Where did you get married and why did you choose this location? Was it a destination wedding?
We got married out on the coast, at Costanoa Lodge in Pesacadero, between Santa Cruz and San Francisco. We lived in Santa Cruz for almost 5 years and drove up Hwy 1 several times, so it felt like us. It felt local enough for friends and family yet still like a destination, as most people stayed on property and made a little trip out of it.
What was your favorite part about DIYing?
Getting to pick each flower and then see it all come together & being ok with imperfections.
Who did you have help from?
My mom was a huge help in getting everything prepped & organized. She watched all the DIY academy videos for me & made sure to know the little details. Day before, we had a little crew of family & friends helping.
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
Our ceremony & photos. We took a lot of the fluff out of our day and just did an intimate ceremony with our immediate family cliffside on the coast, had a classic pink car to drive to & from the ceremony and over to the reception after and just got to enjoy great weather in such a beautiful setting. It felt authentic and easy.
In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
Being in the wedding industry for 10 years myself (as a photographer) I took on all of the planning myself, literally ALL of it. The one thing I wish I would have done was to have someone there the day of to execute everything so I didn't have to worry about it. Whether it was a day-of planner or even just a mutual friend who could take on the roll.
I had everything organized and a printed out planner of what goes where, and family trying to help but at the end of the day there was just so many tiny details that I didn't need to be thinking about on the wedding day. I am a pretty type B person, so I knew everything was going to come together but if I were to go back, I would have been in the hotel room getting ready and in my own bubble pre-ceremony rather than running around with rollers in my hair, lol.
Tips for future DIYers?
Pick your team of people! (YOU HEARD HER) Communicate with them ahead of time on what you need from them and what they can plan for and then don't let anyone else help other than them, no need for too many cooks in the kitchen! Delegate to those you trust with your vision.
Were there any funny or strange mishaps you can share?
I had bought an orchid from Home Depot to add to my bouquet, separate from my flower Moxie order and completely forgot to put it in the bouquet...we ended up returning to Home Depot a couple days after the wedding!! (lol)
How did you add personalized touches to your day?
We had SO many personalized touches, that really made it feel like us.
- Something old: A couple of my grandma's rings that I wore & a cool necklace of hers around my bouquet.
- Something new: My ring!
- Something borrowed: my friends earrings & bracelets.
- Something blue: our daughter. She wore a little blue lace dress.
I thrifted/ collected knitted blankets, vintage chairs and a side table to set up a living room scene for our audio guest book (After The Tone) My dress was second hand from Emerald City Gowns (a wedding dress consignment store in Berkeley, CA) and our wedding cake to cut was a chocolate roll cake in honor of Brady's late grandma.
Which part of your wedding are you most proud of?
All of it! It all felt so intentional. I didn't want to do anything just because everyone else does it. We kept the classic traditions we liked and did our own thing for the rest.
From a first date under Christmas lights to a proposal in Italy and FINALLY a coastal wedding with their daughter by their side, this celebration was full of meaning from start to finish. But what made the day truly special wasn’t just the stunning setting or vintage-inspired details, it was the intention behind every choice.
You read her “Getting to pick each flower and then see it all come together & being ok with imperfections.”DIY-ing their flowers became one of the most memorable parts of the process, with family helping turn simple blooms into something deeply personal.
Planning your own DIY wedding flowers? You can explore options and start building your floral plan here: https://flowermoxie.com/pages/how-it-works
PS: If Maddie could, YOU CAN.
About the Author
Alexa is Flower Moxie's half-Colombian/half-Palastinian wunderkind. She equally loved Pilates and Tarantino flicks, and will road trip with you so long as Tracy Chapman and Santana are on your playlist.
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