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A Garden-Inspired Atherton Private Estate Wedding

30

Aug

Just days before their wedding, wildfires forced Christine and Nicholas to leave behind their original plans for a celebration in Truckee. Within six days, they had brought everyone together at a family home in Atherton, California, for an intimate garden-inspired wedding.

The change of setting did not take away from the day. Instead, the private estate gave their ceremony and reception a personal backdrop, surrounded by greenery, flowers, and the people who had helped make the new plan possible.

A Garden-Inspired Wedding at an Atherton Private Estate

With planning by Events Etc. and floral design by Stems By Diana, the backyard became a welcoming place to celebrate. The garden’s greenery, thoughtful flowers, and intimate setting suited a day that had been reimagined on a very short timeline.

A Meaningful Wedding Ring Exchange

One of the most personal moments came during the ceremony. Nicholas had proposed with a puzzle box, and during the ring exchange Christine surprised him by presenting that same box. The gesture brought their shared sense of humor into a moment that was already full of meaning.

A Celebration Centered on Family and Friends

Their families and friends had rallied around the change of plans, and that closeness was evident throughout the celebration. The photographs move between the garden details, the ceremony, and the expressions of the people who had gathered to witness it.

This Atherton private estate wedding is a reminder that a meaningful celebration does not depend on everything unfolding as first planned. The setting may have changed, but the relationships at the center of the day did not.

For another garden celebration in the area, explore this elegant Atherton wedding. If you are planning a private-estate wedding in the Bay Area, I’d love to hear about your plans.

White and peach garden roses arranged as small floating floral details on a pale background.
The groom adjusting his wristwatch while getting ready in a white dress shirt.
Black-and-white close-up of the groom's wrist and white shirt cuff.
Portrait of the groom in an open-collar white shirt before putting on his suit.
Black-and-white portrait of the smiling groom in a white shirt with his hands in his pockets.
A groomsman helping the groom put on his navy wedding jacket.
Close-up of the groom opening his suit jacket to reveal its patterned lining.
The groom fastening his navy suit jacket against a pale wall.
Portrait of the groom in a navy jacket and open-collar white shirt.
Black-and-white photograph of the groom seated in a leather armchair reading a card.
The bride raising a champagne glass while getting ready with a bridesmaid.
Close-up of sparkling wine being poured into a champagne flute during wedding preparations.
The bride smiling among her bridesmaids as they toast before the ceremony.
The bride and bridesmaids raising glasses together during their getting-ready celebration.
Bridesmaids gathered in matching robes outside a white house surrounded by garden flowers.
The bride and bridesmaids smiling together in light blue and white getting-ready robes.
Close-up of delicate floral embroidery on the bride's sheer wedding veil.
The bride standing beside her hanging lace gown outside the family home in Atherton.
The bride's mother fastening the back of her floral lace wedding dress on the porch.
Close-up of hands securing the back of the bride's strapless lace wedding gown.
The bride smiling as a family member helps fasten her wedding gown outdoors.
Close-up of the bride holding a handwritten note against her lace dress.
The bride smiling as she reads a note before the wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom meeting for their first look among hydrangeas beside the house.
Black-and-white view of the bride's trailing veil during her first look with the groom.
The bride and groom kissing in a lush garden with white flowers and green foliage.
Black-and-white photograph of the bride embracing the groom beneath her long veil.
Rear view of the bride and groom walking past hydrangeas beside the white house.
The bride and groom looking at each other on a garden path lined with hydrangeas.
The bride and groom sharing a kiss amid white hydrangeas and leafy shrubs.
The bride smiling up at the groom among the garden's flowering plants.
The bride and groom posing together on a sunlit garden path in Atherton.
The bride and groom walking hand in hand across the landscaped private estate.
Close-up of the bride's embroidered gown beside the groom's navy wedding suit.
The bride and groom standing together in front of a white house and garden greenery.
The bride smiling at the groom as they stand close together in the garden.
Portrait of the bride and groom holding hands in front of flowering hydrangeas.
Black-and-white photograph of the bride and groom walking away along the garden path.
Portrait of the groom in a navy suit with a white floral boutonniere.
Close-up of the groom's navy lapel and white flower boutonniere.
Full-length portrait of the groom standing among white hydrangeas and garden greenery.
Close-up of the bride holding a peach, ivory and pale pink garden rose bouquet.
The bride smiling beneath her veil while holding a lush garden-style bouquet.
Full-length bridal portrait among hydrangeas, showing the floral lace gown and long veil.
Outdoor garden wedding ceremony seating arranged around a flower-covered arch in Atherton.
Close-up of white and pastel garden flowers lining the outdoor ceremony aisle.
A grassy wedding aisle between curved wooden chairs and garden floral arrangements.
A flower-lined ceremony aisle leading to a pastel floral arch beneath mature trees.
Rows of pale curved-back wedding chairs behind low white and blush floral arrangements.
Wide view of garden ceremony chairs and the floral arch against green trees.
Close-up of pale wood ceremony chairs arranged in rows on the lawn.
A garden ceremony aisle lined with pastel flowers and chairs facing a floral arch.
Low aisle flowers in white, pale pink and peach beside wooden ceremony chairs.
A lush floral arch of pale garden roses standing in a green outdoor wedding garden.
White and blush flowers lining guest seating beside the grassy ceremony aisle.
Symmetrical view of the garden ceremony aisle ending at a flower-covered arch.
Close-up of white and peach garden roses along the ceremony's front row of chairs.
A wedding welcome sign decorated with leafy greenery on a wooden easel in the garden.
Closer view of a pale wedding welcome sign with climbing greenery beside a tree.
A small outdoor welcome table set along a landscaped path toward the ceremony.
The groom walking across the lawn arm in arm with his parents before the ceremony.
Wedding guests gathered on the lawn outside a white private-estate house.
The bride walking with her parents toward the garden ceremony.
The bride holding her bouquet while greeting guests at the outdoor ceremony.
Black-and-white candid of smiling seated wedding guests watching the ceremony.
The bride and groom standing beneath a pastel floral arch for their wedding ceremony.
Wide view of the garden wedding ceremony with guests seated along a flower-lined aisle.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride and groom holding hands during the ceremony.
The bride standing opposite the groom beneath a flowering tree in the garden.
Bridesmaids sitting with bouquets while listening to the outdoor ceremony.
The bride and groom exchanging vows beneath a flower-covered garden arch.
Close-up of the bride and groom exchanging rings during the ceremony.
Wide view of the bride and groom beneath the floral arch with their guests watching.
The bride and groom facing each other during an intimate garden wedding ceremony.
The bride standing beneath her long veil beside the groom and the ceremony officiant.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride and groom holding hands at the altar.
Guests seated beneath white parasols as the bride and groom exchange vows outdoors.
Wide view of the garden ceremony and floral arch framed by trees and pale chairs.
A ceremony view across the lawn with the bride, groom, guests and garden flower arrangements.
Bridesmaids holding peach and white bouquets as they watch the wedding ceremony.
The bride and groom facing the officiant under the garden's floral ceremony arch.
The bride and groom exchanging vows with a female officiant holding a ceremony book.
The bride and groom holding hands beneath the flowering arch as the officiant reads.
The bride and groom raising their joined hands in celebration after the ceremony.
The bride and groom smiling as they walk down the aisle together past their guests.
The groom leaning toward the bride as they walk through the applauding ceremony crowd.
A close-up of the bride and groom walking hand in hand along the flower-lined aisle.
The bride surrounded by bridesmaids holding pastel garden rose bouquets.
The bride smiling among bridesmaids in soft pink, floral and sage dresses.
Close-up of bridesmaids holding garden-style bouquets in ivory, blush and peach.
The bride and bridesmaids gathering together with flowers in front of garden greenery.
Full wedding party portrait with groomsmen in navy suits and bridesmaids in pastel dresses.
Black-and-white wedding party portrait with the bride and groom standing among their friends.
Floating arrangements of peach and blush flowers decorating a turquoise swimming pool.
A wedding reception menu displayed beside ivory flowers and a bright summer cocktail.
Long wooden garden reception tables with pale curved-back chairs and pink floral arrangements.
White reception place setting with pale pink dinnerware and low garden flowers beside the pool.
Long reception tables with wood chairs and pastel centerpieces set on the lawn.
Close-up of pale garden roses and white cosmos in a low wedding reception centerpiece.
Outdoor wedding dinner tables lined with low floral arrangements and curved wooden chairs.
Close-up of peach and cream flowers on a reception table with white linen and glassware.
Long wooden dinner tables set with pink plates, white linens and cutlery.
Wedding reception place setting with an ivory floral centerpiece and a view of the pool.
Long outdoor reception table with pale wood chairs and low pink and cream centerpieces.
Peach garden roses and white flowers gathered in a small vase on a dining table.
Outdoor garden reception tables arranged beneath a canopy of trees in Atherton.
Close-up of an ivory and peach floral centerpiece on a bright white tablecloth.
The bride and groom posing with her bouquet against the estate's sunlit garden greenery.
The bride and groom sharing a kiss beside the garden hedges.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride and groom kissing during their garden portraits.
The bride holding a pale garden rose bouquet beside the groom's navy suit.
The bride and groom walking side by side through the garden in late afternoon light.
The bride and groom holding hands on a garden path beneath the trees.
The bride and groom embracing while the bride holds her garden-style bouquet.
Close-up of the bride's bouquet and lace gown with the groom standing behind her.
The bride and groom smiling together during portraits in the sunlit private estate garden.
The bride looking down at her bouquet while the groom embraces her from behind.
The bride and groom walking together along the garden's paved path.
The bride and groom strolling hand in hand past garden greenery.
The bride and groom holding hands and looking down together in a sunlit garden.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride and groom kissing during their portraits.
Softly lit bridal portrait showing the bride's wavy hair and strapless floral lace gown.
The bride walking across the reception lawn as the full lace skirt of her gown trails behind.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride's embroidered wedding gown moving across the grass.
Rear view of the bride and groom walking hand in hand toward the garden path.
Black-and-white close-up of the bride and groom holding hands while walking.
Black-and-white candid of the groom celebrating with guests in a crowded reception room.
The bride lifted above cheering wedding guests during the lively indoor reception.
Black-and-white photograph of the bride and groom dancing among guests beneath string lights.
Black-and-white candid of the wedding party dancing and raising glasses after dark.
Black-and-white photograph of the bride and groom embracing on a dance floor among guests.

VENDORS
Planning | Events Etc.
Photography | Catherine Leanne Photography
Cinema | Iron & Fern
Floral Design | Stems By Diana
Beauty | Carly Wise
Bridal Gown | Mira Zwillinger
Groom’s Attire | Knot Standard
Stationery | Swell Press
Band | Dart Collective – Half Moons
Rentals | Theoni Collection

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