Did you do any DIY Projects or create any handmade items for your wedding?
As a heartfelt final touch, Sheila’s mom brought handwoven basket bags and an assortment of treats from Indonesia — candies, chocolates, and coffee — as party favors. Everything was lovingly displayed for guests to choose from, and each bag was labeled with “Terima Kasih,” which means “thank you” in Bahasa Indonesia.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
The ceremony featured a modern twist on Sheila’s Indonesian culture. In traditional Indonesian weddings, the bride and groom walk down the aisle side by side to symbolize entering a new journey together. We embraced this meaningful tradition, and also included another custom: seeking their parents’ blessing and permission to marry.
In a modern adaptation, the officiant led a heartfelt moment during the ceremony where both families gave their blessing — honoring the importance of family and respect in Indonesian culture. At the end of the ceremony, all of the guests walked back up the aisle together. This was a symbol of love, unity, and the community that would continue to support our marriage.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
The reception was truly the highlight of the day. Our dream of a vineyard dinner came to life with long farm tables arranged family-style, perfectly fitting the intimate celebration. Guests were treated to sweeping vineyard views on both sides, and the tables were styled with a modern Italian countryside feel. Elegant Tuscany-style table runners perfectly complemented gold-rimmed plates, creating a sophisticated tablescape.
The look was completed with stunning white and green florals from Lily and Poppy Event and Party Rentals. As the sun set, soft candlelight surrounded the vineyard, creating a romantic glow from dusk into evening.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
I rented the wedding flowers from the event rental company Lily and Poppy Event Rentals. They have a lot of artificial flowers for rent that look exactly like the real ones and definitely saved us a lot of money on fresh flowers.
What was your biggest splurge?
The venue was our biggest splurge.
What was your favorite detail?
Our shared love of wine was a defining element of our wedding design. A vineyard venue near Santa Barbara felt like a natural choice; not just for the scenic backdrop, but because wine had marked so many important moments in our story, including the weekend we first fell in love. Inspired by our love of Italy’s wine region — where we plan to honeymoon — we infused our celebration with countryside charm. The result was a design that felt timeless and personal, reflecting our shared passions and deep appreciation for meaningful intimate gatherings.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
Create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the very beginning, we had a vision: a vineyard dinner. It felt romantic, rare, and unforgettable—something not many people get to say we’ve experienced. That moment became a non-negotiable in their planning; we wanted it to be meaningful and memorable for both us and our guests.
Just a couple of weeks before the wedding, the oldest and most beautiful tree on the property unexpectedly fell. It had been the anchor of our dream dinner location, and with it gone, the vineyard view we had imagined was no longer an option.
At first, it was heartbreaking. But instead of letting go of our vision, we worked closely with the venue and our wedding coordinator to reimagine the setting.
Together, we transformed the ceremony space into a reception area, surrounded by rolling hills and soft golden light. In the end, it turned out even more magical than we had hoped.
Our advice? Focus on creating a core memory—one that reflects who you are as a
couple. Sometimes the unexpected leads to something even more beautiful than you imagined.
