Silk, Protea, and a Dog in a Floral Crown: Valley Ford Hotel Wedding
When the bride is a designer, you show up ready to be amazed. And Lara did not disappoint. From the very first detail shot to the very last bite of cake, this wedding at the Valley Ford Hotel in California felt like a fully realized vision, considered from every angle and executed with unmistakable style.
The dress alone said everything: a fluid blush silk gown with a delicate crystal belt, understated and stunning in equal measure. Paired with deep red suede heels that peeked out from beneath the hem all day, it was the perfect balance of soft and bold. Lara knows how to make a statement quietly, which is perhaps the hardest thing to do.
The florals were wild and lush and moody: king protea, deep burgundy dahlias, blush roses, eucalyptus, and trailing amaranth tumbling across the tables between geometric gold lanterns. The palette of the whole day felt like late summer on the California coast — warm, a little dusty, layered with depth.
Their dog was there from the start, wearing a eucalyptus crown and absolutely owning every moment of it. At the ceremony, their pup delivered the rings under the wooden arbor draped with linen and strung with Edison bulbs, the florals spilling over one side in a cascade of protea and greenery. During cocktail hour came a very official high-five to the groom. Best attendance record of the day.
The ceremony itself was held as the golden hour light settled over the venue grounds, and the portraits in the wildflower garden are some of my favorites I've ever made. There's a quietness to Kenny and Lara together that comes through in every frame, a steadiness, a knowing. And then there's the cake smash, which was anything but quiet.
The reception stretched out under the open sky, guests gathered around long tables heavy with flowers and candlelight. Someone came in a flamingo blazer and absolutely earned their place in the highlight reel. The evening was warm and unhurried and full of the kind of laughter that only happens when people feel completely at home with each other.
Kenny and Lara, thank you for trusting me with a day this beautiful. Every detail was you.
