The Kicks – Cynthia Zatkin Events

Rustic Vintage Romance: Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Erin and Jason created a perfect “patina of age” vintage wedding–using all things chipped, scratched, faded, or rusted to create a wonderfully nostalgic decor. The motif was so sweet and the couple equally darling! The Inn at Ranch Santa Fe offered the perfect backdrop for the wedding, with its early California style architecture and outdoor setting. As can really only be done in S. Cal in October, they held the entire wedding outdoors.

The ceremony occurred underneath a huge old oak tree that Blush Botanicals strung with ribbons. The ribbons wafting in the breeze throughout the ceremony were dramatic! Erin & Jason asked guests to write them sweet wishes that were placed in a vintage birdcage. A rusted tin held the programs. Notice, also, the succulents in Erin’s bouquet that added to the rustic feel.

Following the ceremony, the cocktail hour occurred on an adjacent terrace and lawn. Erin and Jason created signature “Mr.” and “Mrs.” drinks that were tray-passed with either pink or grey and white striped straws. During the cocktail hour, guests (and particularly the children!) played croquet on the lawn. Michael Tiernan entertained with his fantastic singer-songwriter style. It was a perfect October day with the Santa Ana winds lightly blowing to keep the temperature warm into the evening.

As the sun began to set, guests were invited to move to a third lawn where twinkle lights zig-zagged and the pink, ivory, burlap, and gold decor created a perfectly romantic feel. Erin and Jason also put together two seating areas with vintage furniture for their guests to enjoy–with one having a camera and tripod to take photo keepsakes. The Kicks band kept the dance floor full and guests dined on the Inn’s amazing food and special miniature sweets and cupcakes made by a family friend. Special thanks to Joie La La Photography for so beautifully capturing this amazing wedding!

Steal This Idea:

Burlap. Ribbons. Rust. And Yarn. Oh my! These four elements, are the main ingredients often used to create a rustic wedding. Whether it’s hanging from a tree, mantle, or wrapped around bottles and vases, these keynotes create the pure vintage package. And the best vintage items are the ones that are found. Erin scoured her own family’s attics for old candle sticks, frames, books, tin containers, and even a radio flyer wagon which she incorporated into her decor. The best vintage is found vintage for sure! If you can add to your own family’s memories and pull out old photos or favorite vintage pieces to display, it will add a personal touch that honors your family in a very sweet way!

A Whimsical Prado Wedding

Tammy and Tad had a gorgeous wedding at the Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. Tammy loves Anthropologie and was inspired by the store as she dreamed up her decor. She added creative, eclectic, personal touches to showcase her own sweet whimsical style (check out the teal shoes!) and to tie in her and Tad’s mix of Thai, Chinese, and Japanese traditions. Tammy commissioned her nurses in her office to assist her with making 1000 origami cranes that we hung in strings from the Prado’s balcony. It’s a cultural tradition for Japanese brides to make 1000 paper cranes for their wedding day to represent their hope for a happy marriage.

The bridesmaids attire consisted of gray dresses, teal shoes, yellow bouquets…and these fantastic yellow balloons! Tammy loved this idea and had the balloons delivered to the Prado as a perfect prop for some of her photos. The wedding began with a traditional American ceremony (where Tammy wore a gorgeous white gown with teal shoes) and then proceeded to a Thai ceremony, known as a sinsod (which of course included an outfit change!), in which the couple are interlinked by their elders and community. For the Japanese side, Tammy (and her nurses) made 1000 origami cranes that were used as seating cards and which we strung from the balcony during the cocktail hour. She added Japanese tea tins to further incorporate a little Japanese culture in a nostalgic way. Tammy wanted a whimsical garden feel to her decor so we focused on bird cages, natural wood, and lots of candles to create natural light. Check out the bird bath cake table that Chris, from Indulge Flowers created! I am now completely over standard cake tables. The bird bath was amazing! The centerpieces were a mixture of bird cages, wood lanterns, and these amazing ginormous trees!

During the reception, Tammy & Tad further honored Tammy’s Chinese side by doing a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The newlyweds served green tea to their primary family (which involved another outfit change!). At this point Tammy had, yes, count them, three dresses (each of them unique and gorgeous on their own). And then she added a fourth! Tammy finished the evening in a tea-length 50’s style dress which perfectly accented her and Tad’s choreographed swing “first dance.” We heart Tammy & Tad and are so inspired by Tammy’s love for nostalgic details and whimsical touches!