Madison and Scott's Intimate Backyard-Style Wedding at Gardener Ranch

Love Story

Madison and Scott's love story is a delightful tale of patience, serendipity, and the power of second chances. Their journey began in the bustling city of Los Angeles, where fate brought them together through a mutual best friend. Madison recounts their first encounter with a smile, "I met them out at a bar which is the first time I met Scott. We figured out we lived across the street from each other and agreed to hang out."

What followed was a dinner that Madison thought was just a friendly outing, but Scott had other ideas. "We ended up going to dinner which I thought was a friend dinner but ended up definitely being a date," Madison admits with a chuckle. However, their path to romance wasn't straightforward. "He texted after the date and I ghosted him (bad) but we continued to be friends and run into each other out," she confesses.

Fate, it seems, had bigger plans for the couple. Two years later, both Madison and Scott found themselves moving to San Francisco within a month of each other. "After being friends for a bit in SF, we quickly realized we were not just friends and the rest was history," Madison shares, her eyes twinkling.

Their shared interests have only strengthened their bond over the years. Both working in tech sales, the couple finds joy in their common hobbies. "We both loveeee to ski. Hike. Eat at good restaurants. Be with friends. Fantasy football. Love music," Madison gushes, painting a picture of a life filled with adventure and shared passions.

The proposal, when it came, was as perfectly tailored to Madison as their relationship. "My favorite thing in the world is walking by the beach drinking coffee," she explains. Scott used this knowledge to create a moment that was both surprising and intimately familiar. "We grabbed a coffee at one of my favorite coffee shops in San Diego. Went for a walk," Madison recounts. "And during the walk, Scott said “let’s walk on the beach” and I responded “why… you always say it’s weird to walk on sand in tennis shoes” to which he responded… “I have to because …”"
Madison's intuition kicked in at this point. "Scott loves to talk… he was being so quiet on the walk so I thought maybe something was up," she recalls with a grin. This private, thoughtful proposal perfectly encapsulated their relationship - comfortable, personal, and full of little surprises.

Madison and Scott's vision for their dream wedding was crystal clear: "Family, friends, and fun," they emphasize. "Our dream was to bring all of our friends to a beautiful place where they could spend the week and really have A LOT of fun. We wanted it to feel intimate and it to be a party."

With 130 guests in attendance, the couple achieved their goal of creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that felt like a "backyard wedding" - a home away from home for all their loved ones.

Morning details

The couple chose Minted for their invitations, setting the tone for their special day with elegance and charm. When it came to wedding bands, they stayed with the jeweler who crafted Madison's engagement ring, ensuring a perfect match—a beautiful symbol of their love story coming full circle.

Bride getting ready

Madison's journey to find the perfect dress was surprisingly straightforward and serendipitous. "The dress was the first dress I tried on," she reveals with a smile. "I loved it but went on to try a bunch of others but always came back to the first one." Her Sarah Seven gown, found at the designer's boutique, perfectly embodied her vision for the day.

The bride and her bridesmaids prepared for the big day at Gardener Ranch in Carmel Valley, turning the getting-ready process into a cherished part of the celebration.

To complete her bridal look, Madison chose accessories that were both beautiful and meaningful. "I wore a Sarah Seven veil and Reformation shoes," she explains. Her shoe choice reflected both style and practicality: "I changed into Nike dunks quickly after though. I wanted to dance."

One of the most personal touches of Madison's bridal ensemble was her bouquet. "All Anemone," she describes with enthusiasm. "One of my favorite parts of the wedding was my husband's aunt did all of our florals. She is so creative and talented and just got it. She got all of the flowers and then had the help of my husband's cousins to create all the arrangements. They absolutely crushed it." This family involvement added an extra layer of love and meaning to every floral detail.

In a refreshing twist, Madison allowed her bridesmaids to express their individual styles. "Everyone picked their own dress," she explains. "So there were a bunch of different designers from Bec and Bridge to Reformation, to Shona Joy. Everyone was different!" This approach not only ensured that each bridesmaid felt comfortable and confident but also added a unique, eclectic charm to the bridal party's overall look.

Groom getting ready

Scott and his groomsmen also got ready at the venue, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. The groom looked dashing in a tuxedo from Black Tux, surrounded by his closest friends as he prepared to meet his bride.

First Look

The couple's first look took place under the trees, near the ceremony site. "It was super intimate," Madison recalls fondly. "Just the two of us." This private moment allowed them to share their excitement and calm their nerves before the ceremony began.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Ceremony

The couple poured their hearts into personalizing every detail of their ceremony. One of the most touching elements was the bride’s bouquet, which had a ribbon lovingly crafted by the groom’s mother and aunt. They made it from the bride’s late mother’s dress, creating a meaningful connection to her memory. To make it even more special, they engraved the ribbon with lyrics from her mom’s favorite song, "Tiny Dancer"—the very song the bride chose to walk down the aisle to, a beautiful tribute to her mother.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

Gardener Ranch in Carmel Valley provided the perfect backdrop for Madison and Scott's vision of a warm, intimate celebration. The choice of venue was far from random; it was a decision filled with intention and sentiment. "We wanted a place where people could stay for the entire weekend," the couple explains, their eyes lighting up as they describe their vision. "The venue felt like a camp and we could be with everyone all weekend." This desire for prolonged togetherness with their loved ones was at the heart of their venue selection.

But the location held even more significance. Madison elaborates, "Carmel was also in between San Diego (Scott's family) and San Francisco (my family)." This thoughtful consideration made it easier for both families to attend and added to the inclusive feel of the celebration.
There was also a touch of romantic nostalgia in their choice. "Plus, my parents had their honeymoon in Carmel," Madison adds with a soft smile. "It was a special place." This connection to family history added an extra layer of meaning to their wedding location.

When it came to the decor, Madison and Scott chose to let the natural beauty of Gardener Ranch shine. "Our venue was so beautiful we wanted it to be very natural," Madison describes. The color palette was carefully chosen to complement the surroundings. "Lots of olives, greens. And fall colors," she explains.

This understated elegance in the decor allowed the venue's innate charm to take center stage. The result was a wedding that felt organic, warm, and perfectly in tune with the couple's vision of a backyard-style celebration.

Reception

The reception was a joyous celebration of love and family. The couple chose "Treat You Better" by Rufus Du Sol for their first dance, setting the tone for an evening of music and merriment.

A standout feature of the reception was the DJ - a close friend of the couple. "Our friend DJed and it was one of my favorite parts of the wedding," Madison shares enthusiastically. "So intimate and special."

The couple couldn't say enough about their vendors, including Paradise Catering and planner Clemence, whom Madison describes as "the most amazing, lifesaver, angel of all time." Their gratitude is palpable as they exclaim, "They were the best people of all time. Wow. We wouldn't have survived without them."

As we conclude our journey through Madison and Scott's beautiful day, we're left with a warm feeling of love, family, and celebration. Their wedding truly embodied their vision of bringing loved ones together in a place that felt like home, creating memories that will last a lifetime.