Emily & Will // DIY Whimsical Gold Coast Farm Wedding

On a warm May afternoon, Will married his beloved, Emily at the beautiful Gold Coast Farm in Aliso Viejo. Every part of this couple’s wedding was deeply personal & collaborative. When I arrived, the groom & family were setting up, steaming dresses & suits, & repeatedly asking how they could help. From the tangible & joyful energy in the air, I immediately knew it would be a great day.

Emily thrifted 100+ vintage hand-painted plates and dozens of colorful glass floral vessels for their reception, friends recited poetry & sang live at their ceremony, and their pal DJ’d for their unreal dance party. A family member built a gorgeous, giant wall of framed art + photos of the couple + meaningful songs that accompanied the seating chart. There was love in every element.

Dressed in the most unique & jaw-dropping floral gown I’ve ever seen, this sunshine bride was a vision. Walking down the aisle, I heard audible gasps and “wow”s as everyone who loves Will & Emily settled into the reality that they were getting married! In an emotional ceremony officiated by Will’s mother, the couple shared vows so viscerally moving that tears stained guest’s dresses and suits. In another sweet moment, families and their best friends “warmed” their rings—passing them around & sending loving energy to the symbolic jewelry—before the couple slipped them on each other’s fingers. Will somehow choked out his vows after literally not being able to speak on his initial try— he oscillated between sobs and laughter as he spoke of his unwavering adoration for Emily. It was the most tender display of overwhelming love, and both of their vows were like poetry.

Taking photos of these two was a TREAT. Emily is an actual supermodel and Will is SO dapper & fun. Photographing people so flippin’ in love & who are pretty comfortable in front of the camera was SO FUN. If only photos had audio, you’d hear me losing my mind over how magical these two are together.

At their reception, they shared a first dance & danced with their parents before enjoying the tastiest tacos & delicious, homemade desserts. Parents, friends, & siblings delivered heartfelt toasts and there wasn’t a dry eye in the courtyard… again. I remember Emily’s best friend telling a story about how she & Emily planned to grow old and hang out in rocking chairs on a porch together, and how overjoyed she was to add Will’s rocking chair right next to theirs a modified version of that dream. :’) Later, their dance floor, full of performers, music lovers, & general party animals, was electric. Guests danced until the moon rose in the sky and there was not a single dull moment.

This day was one that deeply moved me. Relationships like Emily & Will’s are a gift to witness, and seeing their favorite people come together to help set up, surround the couple with unconditional love & positivity, & be SO present in their tears and jubilation the entire day was incredibly sweet. To watch two people so sublimely in love come together surrounded by people who could not possibly love them more… with so many personal touches & elements curated by the couple & their families… it doesn’t get any better. Soulmates are REAL! Ily E & W.