Casual Beach Wedding at Dipsea Gardens | Stinson Beach, CA

Ashley and Brett have a very inspiring love story. Having tried all of the dating apps and failing to find what he wanted cough it’s because Ashley hadn’t come along yet* When he met Ashley he knew immediately she was something special and called his friend and romantic-guru friend Elena and talked about how incredible their date had been. That same week, he began researching how he could move across the country to be with her. During the duration of his move they kept in close contact and long text threads talking about their dreams. It’s still up in the air – but Ashley wants 4 kids and Brett wants 6.

Brett was told by friends and family that the proper time to wait to propose was a year together but in typical Brett fashion – he did not wait a year. Instead, he proposed to her in July 2018 on Muir Beach – not far from the venue where they got married.

dipsea gardens wedding

Onto their wedding day; for the getting ready they chose a beach house that was a few blocks away from the venue. And it was literally steps away from the beach where they did their first look. It was a perfect day out. Given it was the Bay Area – yes it was foggy as ever but there were some peeks of sunshine on occasion. A lot of the guests flew in from all over the country and were surprised at the weather but the Bay Area folks just nodded and smiled knowing smiles. Bundled up in jackets they were super prepared.

Ashley + Brett said their nupitals at the gorgeous, and I mean gorgeous Dipsea Gardens in Marin. The Bay Area had a lot of wedding venues but Dipsea Gardens is special. It is a tri-level outdoor venue overlooking the Pacific Ocean that is bursting at the seams with vibrantly colored flowers, soft ocean breezes, and a stunning amount of greenery. On the top level there is the dance area and seating area. Second level is the secluded bungalow that the couple gets to stay on site of for their honeymoon and areas for appetizers and cocktails. And lastly, is the bottom level that is reserved for the ceremony.

details of this beach wedding

The variety of greenery at Dipsea Garden provided a beautiful backdrop to their outdoor ceremony and reception. On the bottom level there is a gorgeous cemented area that has unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. With its proximity to Muir Woods and San Francisco it’s a perfectly nestled away spot in Stinson Beach.

I will say that it’s unique in another way – especially for the Bay Area. There is zero cell reception. I love it because it means that guests are present for the day but I don’t have to shove anyone out of my way to get my shots, hehe. In all seriousness, it was both stressful and invigorating to not check my phone on the dinner break or bathroom breaks. I did have 3 inquiries and about a million gazillion Facebook notifications once I drove back to San Francisco though.

The couple opted for a natural and rustic vibe for their wedding. Square cardboard plates accented with navy blues, sky blues, and whites provided a minimalist and casual setting. How fitting for a beach summer wedding!

It was such an honor to be a part of such a love filled day with these lovebirds. I wish them nothing but the best and many, many more happy memories to come.

Vendors:

Photos + Video // Alycia Moore

Venue // Dipsea Gardens

Bridal Dress Designer // Pronovias

Bridal Store // Here Comes the Bride San Diego

Bridal Shoes // Lulu’s

Bridesmaids Dresses // JJ’s House

Event Planner // By Sevents

DJ // DJ John Piazza

Catering // KT Broomhead

Cookes // A Lil’ Something Sweet

Florals // Just Fake it Bouquets

Table Rentals // Abbey Rents SF

Shuttle Bus // Ma Trans Worldwide

Lighting // Magical Lighting