When a wedding photographer gets married, the day is bound to be full of beauty. And that doesn’t even do Natalie Schutt’s beautiful blue California wedding justice! It’s a fete for the ages. When she and her college sweetheart of 8 years said “I Do” it was everything she could have dreamed of and more. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to share the photos from it! Some of our favorite details include Natalie’s custom gown (made from her mother’s and mother in law’s dresses!), the beautiful dusty blue accents, and the expansive scenery! Below, the bride, and her planner Danielle, at Couture Events share their renditions of the picture perfect day in the central coast…
Danielle says, Natalie and Matt’s wedding was beyond magical. Natalie and Matt met while in college in the Central Coast. The area has always meant so much to them and been a huge part of their relationship. From the beginning of planning until then end of the wedding night Natalie and Matt were consistently focused on the same things; truly celebrating their love for one another, the people who mean the most to them, and the pure beauty of the Central Coast.
Planning their big day was an amazing adventure. Every detail was designed to come back to represent the love between them. Natalie is a wedding photographer, which gave her an amazing eye in designing their wedding day. They chose blue and earth tones, along with touches of gold to beautifully highlight the rolling hills of the amazing scenery surrounding Lekai Ranch. We mixed soft fabrics, wood, and gold metals to really bring out the natural beauty.
Natalie and Matt’s love for one another is so deep and pure; they adore each other to their core. On the morning of their wedding day Matt arrived to the venue where Natalie had just spent the night with her bridesmaids. He brought her her favorite coffee and pastry and took her on a private morning walk. They had time together uninterrupted to reflect on the meaning of the day, their love for each other, and how they were about to become one under God. The beautiful time shared between them that morning was so special, allowing them to really soak it in.
There was tears, laughter, and so much love shared throughout the day. Every detail was immaculate and the surrounding beauty truly shined.
Natalie, the Bride, shares…
My girls and I danced and twirled our dresses to music before heading down to line up for the ceremony, and it might have also been one of the most memorable moments! Your best friends really do help calm your nerves on the biggest & most spectacular day of your life! Walking down the aisle to my best friend was a dream. It felt like our story had come full circle, to the most peaceful place. The largest & most exciting commitment in 2 people’s lives. And when Matt became my husband, my protector, my supporter, my partner — I couldn’t believe the joy that exuded from my soul!
The central coast has a magical feel about it, with gorgeous miles of golden grass, stunning oak trees, and blue skies, it set the tone for our natural & simply elegant wedding. Seeing as our life together started in San Luis Obispo, our seating chart distinguished each table by a different town, hiking trail, or beach in the central coast. Our head table, of course, was where it all started: “San Luis Obispo.” Our reception was inspired by Italian family style dinners, with long wooden tables, silk runners, and natural floral arrangements filled with light colored garden roses. We tied the blue into the dusty sky blue napkins, folded organically on each plate. We surprised our guests with handwritten “love you” cards that we placed on each plate, as well as with a surprise photo underneath their plate. Some photos dated back to when Matt or I were toddlers, sitting on the lap of our guest. So many tears!
For our first dance, we had the slow song “Speechless” by Dan & Shay fade into the fun, upbeat classic “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban. I’ll never forget spinning, twirling, and embracing to these two songs with the love of my life on top of Lekai’s mountain hill with the most surreal backdrop. The dance party flew by as the sun set into the most beautiful orange and purple sky. We were on top of the world, living real life, celebrating one of the most beautiful gifts life can give you with all of our favorite people. I did not want it to stop, and I recall looking back on the reception space as Matt & I walked away from the celebration holding hands, and I thought to myself with the largest smile & fullest heart I have ever had, “this was truly, hands down, the absolute best day of my life thus far.” I wouldn’t have it any other way.