In summer 2011, management consultant Natalie Parkington was hosting her birthday party at Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas when her friends brought what was perhaps the greatest birthday gift ever—Curtis Jackson, a property agent for the City of Oceanside. At the bash, he did some recon and found out she did not have a boyfriend. Their first date soon followed. Less than a year later, the duo, now both 33, took a trip back east to meet her family. On the sly, Curtis asked her father’s permission, and then proposed to Natalie atop their Manhattan hotel. In just five months, the Carmel Valley couple planned a two-part wedding: a family-only ceremony and brunch in Boston, and three weeks later, a surprise mini-ceremony plus outdoor reception with friends and family in San Diego. —Erin Meanley 

L’Auberge Del Mar

Photography by Studio Carré Photographie, November 17, 2012

PRETTY BOUQUET

Florist Rae Florae assembled petite posies of warm peach and pink, with stems wrapped in satin and secured with pearl pins.

GO THE DISTANCE

Curtis grew up in the Del Mar area, so his family was able to attend. Some of Natalie’s relatives made it to San Diego . . . and stayed for Thanksgiving. (In Boston, some of Curtis’ family came and were stranded an extra five days by Hurricane Sandy.)

VEILED BEAUTY

The birdcage veil and sash were custom-made locally by Design by Pris on Etsy.com. Natalie created the vintage ivory rosette adorning the veil.

BACKUP DRESS

Natalie’s “Lively Chevrons Dress” and guava-colored shoes were from BHLDN by Anthropologie. The tea-length dress was “originally my backup dress but even after I tried on a few gowns at bridal shops, I went right back to it every time.”

THANK MAMA

Natalie’s mother was ordained for the wedding. During the ceremony, Natalie had unexpected tears. “I realized in that moment, more than ever, that I couldn’t be happier.”

HOW LITERARY

Guests were treated to highbrow readings: poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee” and a passage from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres.

GUEST WATCH

Their room at L’Auberge overlooked the terrace where the reception was going to take place—in secret, they shared a private cocktail and watched their guests arrive and mingle.

FAVORS

Natalie and Curtis brewed their own India Pale Ale with organic grains and hops (10 gallons of beer, made over the course of four months). They also gave handmade fabric napkins from Etsy.com purveyor Dot & Army.

PERSONAL MENU

Guests commented that the meal—stations serving casual fare such as sliders, flatbread, and build-your-own salads—was basically what Natalie, a vegetarian, and Curtis, a slider-lover, would order at a restaurant.

WHAT A SPREAD

Famed local dessertier Michele Coulon made assorted petit fours, mini carrot cakes, mini pumpkin pies, and raspberry and chocolate cake. The couple brought the trays and cake stands.

GET THEIR STYLE

• Coordination: Natalie Jackson, Liz Beck Events
• Photography: Studio Carré Photographie
• Ceremony, reception, & catering: L’Auberge Del Mar
• Florals: Rae Florae
• DJ: J. Soul, J. Soul Productions
• Gown and shoes: BHLDN
• Coat: Anthropologie
• Jewelry: Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers
• Cake: Michele Coulon Dessertier
• Paper elements: Minted, invitations; Simon Trask (graphic design), program, beer labels; printed by clonecopies.com, northshoresprintery.com
• Makeup: Kanani Masterson, Perfect Princess Makeup
• Hair: Drybar, Del Mar
• Rentals: Concepts Event Design, mahogany Chiavari chairs, linens; Found Vintage Rentals, dresser, sofa, chairs, side tables, suitcase, drawers; Fuller Lighting and A.V. Designs, market stringers; Rae Florae, additional décor, stand-up shutters for place cards
• Officiant: Reverend Dallas C. Gaughran (Natalie’s mother)