Delicate peach and blush florals were the perfect complement to the misty morning that welcomed Rachel Moore and Josh Shankle on March 3, 2012, at the exquisite Clark Estate in Ojai, California. As the bride and groom enjoyed a relaxing morning with their bridesmaids and groomsmen, clouds blanketed the sky in a romantic haze. Emotions were high as Rachel zipped the lace and beaded bodice of her exquisite Casablanca dress and slipped into her champagne Christianne Taylor flats. Her bridesmaids wore delicate dresses of ivory lace and dusty rose tulle, each carrying bouquets of peach stock, lisianthus, peach roses, ivory dahlias and carnations arranged by Sandy Fuller of Special Scent. The groom donned a dapper gray suit from Banana Republic while his groomsmen dressed in crisp white dress shirts and gray slacks with sepia suspenders in keeping with the vintage theme.

As the clouds devoured the morning sky, Josh recalls his concerns, “It was the most nervous I’ve ever been — hoping that everything would come together especially with the weather. But at the same time it was the most excited I’ve ever been… I was bursting at the seams.” Rachel found refuge in peaceful moments of prayer with her mother and bridesmaids, before being swept by emotion with her father. “My dad asked our photographer Kelli for a minute of privacy to talk with me and burst into tears. It was a really special time for us.” The two shed tears of joy as they walked down the aisle, a moment her groom remembers vividly. “She had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, but it was also the most I’ve ever seen her cry. Watching her walk down the aisle towards me was the happiest moment of my life,” he says tenderly. The couple exchanged traditional vows beneath a romantic natural arbor, honoring their love for each other and a shared spiritual faith in God’s unconditional love. As Josh dipped his bride for a passionate first kiss, guests cheered before heading to the reception tent.

After the bridal party posed for photos with the sporty turquoise 1952 Chevy Impala that Rachel’s uncle had restored, husband and wife took to the dance floor for their first dance: Blake Shelton’s God Gave Me You. “We both really like country, and this song perfectly describes the beginning of our relationship; how God brought us into each other’s lives for that perfect moment to support each other and grow together,” they explained. Guests dined on a delicious California and Italian inspired dinner of maple glazed salmon, macadamia crusted chicken with mango salsa, baked mostaccioli and southwest pasta from Milano’s Italian Restaurant. This was followed by decadent tiers of chocolate, vanilla and red velvet cupcakes made by the bride’s mother, Lynn Moore, all frosted with luscious buttercream by Jennifer Barry of Barry Cakes. The reception continued with a night of endless laughter and dancing, most notably when the new couple noticed three of their guests dancing outside of the reception tent. Without hesitation, they moved the party onto the field for a truly free-spirited, bohemian moment of absolute bliss, surrounded by their loved ones and dancing in the rain. As the night drew to a close, Rachel and Josh were overcome with gratitude for all of the blessings they shared as they embarked on their exciting new life together as husband and wife. So with honeymoon tickets to Thailand and no plans set before them, they could not wait to continue exploring the infinite possibilities the world has to offer.

Text by Jade Snow