Lavender & Moss Woodland Romance in the California Oaks


Mossy forest-inspired centerpieces, towering ancient oaks, and cascades of flowers in soft romantic pastel tones, were just a few of the design elements Derik and Brianna knew they wanted to incorporate into the plans for their wedding. Derik and Brianna met in high school and have been sweethearts ever since. They both knew they wanted a wedding set in a beautiful natural setting with hints of rustic elements and a focus on fun.

As soon as they visited Circle Oak Ranch, hidden deep in the mountains north of San Diego and close to Temecula, they knew it was the perfect location for the Enchanted forest wedding they’d been envisioning. The ceremony space at the venue is in front of an ancient California Oak tree that is thought to be almost 600 years old. The tree’s limbs come down and enclose the whole ceremony area embracing guests and wedding party. It’s a truly magical place to exchange vows. Photographer Carrie McGuire captured all of the beauty of the wedding with luminous light-filled images.




















Bride Brianna chose a romantic color palette for her bridesmaids of mauve, dusty rose, steel blue, dusty blue and lavender. Event and Floral Designer Tularosa Flowers worked closely with the bride and her mother to create floral and event design that would enhance the cool tones of the gowns. "To create the woodland and fairy forest feel, we used lot’s of fresh moss, porcelain berry, which has delicate berries ranging in color from robin’s egg blue to amethyst, maidenhair fern (a California native) antique blue-green hydrangea, and flowers with a delicate foresty feel like Japanese anemones, dusty blue delphinium, mauve astrantia, lavender clematis, and garden roses." says Dawn owner and Creative Director of Tularosa Flowers.


Reception decor was a mix of handmade wooden farm tables from Rustic Urban Events, paired with round tables draped in elegant dusty blue linens from BBJ Linens. A mix of different centerpieces ranging from specimen flowers under glass cloches to gnarled wooden roots and flower tablescapes to antique silver compotes filled with lush blooms creating the eclectic relaxed vintage look the couple was going for.


One of the sweetest moments of the day was the “first touch” captured so beautifully by Carrie McGuire Photo. The bride and groom had a moment before the ceremony to hold hands with eyes closed, saving the first look for the walk down the aisle.


Beautiful Day Brides created romantic twists and mermaid waves for the bridesmaids that perfectly complimented their lace and chiffon dresses, with soft natural make-up that made them all look like gorgeous woodland fairies.


Bride Brianna requested a cascade bouquet that featured David Austin Keira garden roses, mauve amnesia roses, blush lisianthus and silver mikado spray roses paired with ferns and light and airy Japanese anemones, and lavender trailing clematis.


The couple chose to have a long head table for the bridal party so Tularosa Flowers highlighted the sweetheart section of the table with a fresh flower wreath and romantic iridescent dusty blue chiffon drapery, to frame the couple throughout the evening and provide a focal point for the reception.


The cake from Cute Cakes was decorated with delicate hydrangea petals that look almost like butterflies taking flight from a mossy forest floor.


Key ingredients for a romantic enchanted forest wedding…….moss, ferns, delicate flowers, rustic wood accents, and a generous sprinkling of fairy dust throughout.


Venue @circleoakranchweddings

Photographer @carriemcguirephoto

Floral + Event Design @tularosaflowers

Videography @russelljohnfilms

Specialty Rentals @rusticurbanevents

Linens @bbjlinen

Catering @bekkerscatering

Invitations @minted

Bar @bestbeveragecatering

Beauty @beautifuldaybrides

DJ @station_identification

Cake @cutecakes