Erica & Sean

Today’s wedding is so filled with joy. The bride, met the groom while traveling around Australia. Their love blossomed in the seaside suburb of Manly and they returned to California to marry in a casual, relaxed wedding with their nearest and dearest.

Erica tells their story. “I (Erica) was traveling around Australia after college and Sean and I started working in a surf shop in Manly together. After months of being friends he finally had the courage to ask me out on a date. After that, we were inseparable. I moved back home to San Diego to change my visa and after a few months went back to Sydney and have been living with Sean ever since!”

Photos today are by Tyler Branch Photo who have taken such causally cool photographs. Beautiful captures of a beautiful day.

Groom, Sean designed the invitations and stationery himself.

To plan and style their day as well as create the beautiful floral arrangements Erica and Sean hired Lace and Likes . Erica notes “Rachael Lunghi of Lace and Likes. She is so well rounded and amazing. She planned our wedding, DIYS, and arranged all of my florals including my flower crown. She also remains a close friend and kept us calm and collected the day of.”

Erica walked down the aisle to Cinematic Orchestra, ‘Arrival of the Birds’.

Erica describes the wedding as, “A casual, calm, and intimate celebration with our closest family and friends.” The couple were married by Erica’s cousin Kellyne Darrow. Erica recalls “My cousin married us and she gave us such a personal, intimate ceremony. She really was amazing and so calm as well”

Erica and Sean chose Leo Carillo Ranch, Carlsbad, California for their wedding venue. Erica explains, “Leo Carillo ranch is a charming Spanish adobe style ranch. It is bright, colourful, and filled with gorgeous peacocks and succulents.

Having the wedding at Leo Carillo, I also wanted to incorporate a Spanish, bohemian, and colourful touch, which reflected in the flowers, succulents, and DIY details. I collected nearly 70 mixed goblets, vases, and vessels, which we used for the florals. From the beginning of my wedding planning I knew I did not want any structure to my floral arrangements. I have always loved natural wildflowers so it was important for me to incorporate colour, nature, and a little bit of disarray.  My wedding planner (Rachael Lunghi of Lace and Likes) and I planted succulents and cactus into the goblets and bought fresh, colourful, flowers the day before the wedding. Rachael made all of my bouquets and my gorgeous flower crown, which completed my outfit. She is just amazing.”

Of their photographers, Erica says “Tyler and his wife Katie are the cutest duo ever. They are so passionate about photography, very professional and so talented. We LOVE them! They were so cool and awesome. Again we remain friends with them. They made our day so comfortable and relaxed and their work is remarkable.”

Bull Taco catered the reception. Erica explains, “Sean and I both wanted our wedding to be as relaxed as possible and incorporate this feeling of comfort into every detail: food, drinks, seating, speeches, flowers, and music. Almost like we were having a huge celebration in our own back yard. We decided to have gourmet tacos from a local So-cal taco joint, and drink local San Diego beer and wine. We did not have seating arrangements instead let everyone chose their own seat at the table of their choice. It was very important for us to show our Aussie friends and family true authentic San Diego food and culture and for everyone to have a good time.”

Erica says, “Everything went so smooth and easy. Sean and I were both so placid and calm and had the best time. It was the perfect day and I think it had a lot to due with our vendors being so organised, calm, and experienced.” Guests received Anthropologie’s Seed Bombs as wedding favors.

The couple used a teepee as a makeshift photobooth.

Erica remembers, “Just having our Aussie friends and family come across the world just to celebrate our wedding was so crazy. Having that support and being able to party and celebrate with the people who mean most to us is what made our day.”

Erica and Sean danced their first dance to ‘Harvest Moon’ by Neil Young. Erica says “We both listened to Neil Young as kids and share the same love for 70’s folk music. …the food, drinks, teepee photo booth were really awesome too!!! And the dancing. The dancing was awesome!”

Congratulations Erica and Sean! Thank you for sharing your day with us! Thank you also to Tyler Branch Photo for sharing today’s photographs!