Real Wedding: Erica & Brandon

Erica Jacobsen, 26, met Brandon Hays, 29, in 2005 when a family friend schemed to get them together. The two—she from Encinitas, he from Denver—obliged and met for a coffee date, but it wasn’t until 2010 when both relocated to and reconnected in San Francisco that things picked up speed. Nearly a year into their relationship, Brandon texted Erica to come meet a financial planner. In reality, he had a magical proposal planned with some bubbly and the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop on a rare clear day. The couple, now living in Walnut Creek, California, exchanged vows in May 2013 at the Ranch House at Del Sur in San Diego. —Archana Ram

The Ranch House at Del Sur

Photography by Found Creative Studio, May 24, 2013

DAZZLING DANCE FLOOR

Rather than wait for the grand exit, the couple decided the dance floor was the perfect place to pass out sparklers. Guests waved them while dancing to Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

HIS AND HER FLORALS

While the bride’s bouquet was filled with purple lisianthus, gold ranunculus, purple hydrangea, purple dahlias, and white anemones, the men’s boutonnieres were a simple combo of craspedia balls and dusty miller leaves.

THE DRESS

Erica’s aunt hand-made the mermaid-style gown, which was inspired by a Vera Wang number Erica saw while window-shopping for design ideas. Erica’s mom and aunt were sewing lace onto the skirt up until the night before the wedding.

PARTY NIBBLES

Guests snacked on caramel and cheddar popcorn before the ceremony, and pork tamales along with Kobe sliders and grilled cheese with tomato bisque during cocktail hour.

CRAFTSMAN STYLE

The couple selected the Ranch House at Del Sur for its Craftsman-style architecture and large back lawn. Because Erica and Brandon paid for much of the wedding themselves, it helped that Erica’s aunt lived in the Ranch’s community, which meant a discounted rental price.

FIVE CAKES

Erica and Brandon fêted the day with a three-tier cake; the bottom two layers were a hot milk sponge cake with buttercream and berries, while the top tier was a dense organic lemon cake. Four smaller cakes filled out the rest of the table: Belgian chocolate, coconut, white chocolate mousse, and orange.

MY THREE DADS

With multiple marriages and divorces in her family history, Erica has three fathers to call her own—and all were a part of her big day. Two walked her down the aisle and one officiated the ceremony.

FAVORITE MOMENT

Erica loved their vows, which the couple wrote themselves. At the end they asked each other, “Do you take me to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife?” Brandon said, “I absolutely do!”

MATRIMONIAL MUSIC

Erica walked down the aisle to Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” and the parents walked down to “I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons. “[The DJ] slowed it down so the parents didn’t have to run down the aisle,” says Erica.