The first thing that Giuliana and William did when they began to plan their wedding was choose a breathtaking location. As it would turn out, the venue’s restriction on their guest list would ultimately work in their favor, allowing them to spend their wedding day with just their closest family and friends.

Everything from their brightly clad wedding party to their extensive DIY wedding projects came together to create a joyful and unique celebration that fit their vision perfectly.

A big thank you (along with a side of envy for being at this gorgeous affair) to Lindsey Gomes Photography for sharing her photos with us!

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-085_low

Giuliana, 23 & William, 22

Ragged Point, CA 

Wedding date: March 23, 2013

Number of guests: 75 guests

Wedding cost: $14,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Pagoda at Ragged Point Inn

Wedding Reception Location: Solarium at Ragged Point Inn

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-071_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-002_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-004_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-023_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-036_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-050_lowintimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-057_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-083_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-101_low
intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-120_lowWhy did you have an intimate wedding: At first we were limited by our venue; which required we have 110 guests or less. Yet when we went over the list, we found that we really only wanted to be surrounded by those were closest to us. That included our family and the friends we couldn’t live without. That made it intimate on its own.

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-003_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-099_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-005_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-006_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-044_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-051_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-098_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-103_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-104_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-052_low

What are some of the challenges you faced in planning an intimate wedding:

Narrowing down the guest list was difficult because the grooms family is very large. Narrowing down friends was also somewhat difficult in not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings. The most difficult part was planning the wedding from afar. It was five hours from where we live, and we had a lot of people complain about the distance. It was hard to hear your family unhappy when this setting was so important to us.

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-007_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-008_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-009_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-010_low

 

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-012_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-013_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-014_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-015_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-016_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-017_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-018_low

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Yes and no. When we decided we only wanted people that were deeply involved in our lives (ie: having grown up with us and made a big impact, or family, or people we know we will be in touch with forever), it was no longer difficult. Before that, it was slightly difficult in trying to narrow it down. 

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-020_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-022_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-023_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-024_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-025_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-028_low

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list with friends and family:

Yes we did. My mother wanted me to invite all of her friends and her family and that was not going to happen. There were some arguments on the bride’s side between the mother of the bride and the bride but there was some compromises made in terms of inviting a few people that the mother of the groom really wanted in replace of others. Once it was verified that some of the family was not going to be able to make it, I was able to add more of the people to satisfy everyone. 

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-030_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-034_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-035_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-036_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-041_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-043_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-046_low

What were the highlights of the ceremony:

The highlights of the ceremony were when my maid of honor dropped the wedding ring when handing it over the to officiant; walking down the aisle and having our eyes meet for the first time; and hearing the groom’s cousin sing “Marry Me” by Train while we walked down the aisle. Walking down and seeing each individual person that is here to celebrate with you in this special moment was a definite highlight as well. 

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-053_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-054_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-055_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-056_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-058_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-059_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-060_low intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-062_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-063_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-064_low

What were the highlights of the reception:

Dancing on the dance floor to some of our favorite songs; eating the food and hearing the reaction about how great the food was; the garter toss and bouquet toss. Speeches were another highlight. We also had an after party with our bridal party and close family which was great. 

 

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-065_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-066_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-105_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-106_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-107_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-108_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-111_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-112_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-115_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-118_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-119_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-129_low intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-130_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-131_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-132_low

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding:

About 99 percent of our decorations and materials for the wedding were DIY. The best thing about having an intimate wedding was that everyone was just as excited and happy to be there as we were. We had a personal connection with each and every person. The morning of the wedding, 15 of us pulled together to get the flower arrangements done and to decorate the solarium. It made the ceremony and reception that much special knowing that people I love and who love me helped. I think if we had had a larger wedding that feeling of closeness would not have been there.

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-001_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-072_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-074_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-088_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-092_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-093_low

intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-096_low

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding:

Our advice would be to make the guest list yourself first. Remember that this wedding is about the two of you; not anyone else. Intimate weddings are nice because you are surrounded by those who matter the most to you and that is who you want on your day. Our advice would also be that having an intimate wedding can cut down the budget, if done correctly. Remember to budget out your costs before the wedding planning, not during! 

 intimate-california-inn-wedding-giuliana-and-william-082_low

Vendors: 

Groom & Groomsmen: Friar Tux

Bride: Deborah’s Bridal Upland, CA

Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal