Cassie & Dustin’s Autumn Garden Wedding in Balboa Park

By Jordan Lemke

Cassie and Dustin called in an appropriate favor from their friends on their big day at Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden—they asked guests to abide by a phone-free ceremony! Sans distractions, the bride navigated a petal-lined aisle, styled by Adorations Botanical Artistry as an ombre transitioning from peach to a deep fuchsia; and the future Mr. and Mrs. stated their devotions from custom “His Vows” and “Her Vows” journals under a rustic arch decorated in flower-embroidered chiffon fabric.

After the newlyweds were pronounced as such, the celebration continued into the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Inamori Pavilion, personalized with details such as wine bottles to sign, one for their five-, 10-, and 15-year anniversaries. And instead of offering several generic desserts, they served their favorite: chocolate bread pudding. Also, they made sure to honor the love that inspired their own by displaying their parents’, grandparents’, and siblings’ wedding pictures.

Guests sat among succulents resting in geometric planters and candles hanging from assorted greenery before they hit the dance floor. Since Cassie and Dustin went to several concerts together when their relationship was first blooming, they commemorated that, too. The most memorable song of the night? “10,000 Emerald Pools” by Borns, who they once saw perform at the Hollywood Bowl. Dancing into the night, and undoubtedly reciting to the lyrics, the couple vowed once more, “All I need is you.”