JULIA & JONAH | EARTHRISE RETREAT CENTER
Julia’s endearing description of her relationship with Jonah—“so easy, so fun, and so full of laughter”—could just as aptly describe the beautifully lighthearted vibe of their rustic wedding, which took place under the shade of a hillside oak on the grounds of a rambling retreat nestled in the gold-spun, tree-dotted hills of Petaluma and incorporated both traditional and modified Jewish traditions. With its bright, cheerful colors and organic details, from succulent-filled redwood planters to a natural chuppah consisting of a canopy of oak branches, this lovely wedding feels refreshingly effortless and genuine in every way.
“The area of Northern California where we were married has a very distinct beauty,” Julia said. “We felt like the setting was the biggest design asset, and we tried to pick colors and elements that complemented the natural beauty. Our color palette consisted of reds, oranges, yellows, browns, tans, and greens. I loved how my bridesmaids’ poppy-colored dresses stood out against the pale gold landscape.”
Despite all the breezily beautiful details, however, it is the authentic emotion, captured in unique and surprising ways by the remarkable husband-and-wife team behind Jerry Yoon Photography, that stands out the most to us as a reflection of the couple’s spirit. There is joy. There are tears. And there is love as sweet as it comes.
Our wedding had a rustic feel to it, but with a slight retreat/summer-camp vibe. Almost all of our guests stayed at the 200-acre venue the entire weekend, sharing chalets (which we described as “upscale dorms”) and eating meals together from Friday through Sunday. By the time the wedding rolled around on Saturday afternoon, we had really built quite a comfortable little community.
...
venue: Earthrise Retreat Center, Petaluma, CA // wedding dress: Saja // bride's shoes: J. Crew // bridesmaids dresses: J. Crew // groom apparel: J. Crew // hair: Stacey Khuu of Shylocks of 5th Avenue // makeup: Julianne Chai of Pretty // necklace: Mabel Chong // invitations + paper goods: DIY Paper Source // Flowers & Design: Chestnut and Vine // cake designer: Teeny Cake // catering: Earthrise Retreat Center // coordinator: Shannon Berry Wedding Consulting // officiant: Rabbi Eli Freeman // DJ: DJ Babbidge