Intimate Carmel-by-the-Sea Wedding Inspired by Romantic Films

Emily and Jack’s wedding transported guests to the vibrant set of a Nancy Meyers film. With pastels and coastal cottages, they created a whimsical, dreamlike atmosphere as soon as they stepped onto a picturesque ranch venue at Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Emily and Jack bonded over their love of travel as Southwest Airlines interns and have been exploring the world together since 2018. It’s only fitting that they would say “I do” at a destination wedding on the California coast.

Emily visited the Bridal Store by Stanley Korshack to find her gown, and after dozens of try-ons, she was left wanting more… until she saw La Femme by Anne Barge. The subtle shimmer and movement of the gown made her feel bridal and elegant while still staying true to herself. She also knew that she’d be able to spin around the dancefloor all night — a must for this bride who loves to dance.

To complete her bridal look, Emily wanted to add the Amoret Cape, with a slight twist. She worked with our team to design a custom version of the cape made with the La Femme fabric. The addition of the matching cape added a sophisticated touch, creating distinct looks for both the ceremony and reception.

As a child, Emily’s fondness for monarch butterflies earned her the nickname, “Little butterfly.” As a nod to her childhood, she incorporated butterflies into various personalized touches surrounding her wedding. In guests’ welcome bags, they received a baseball cap with an embroidered butterfly and a custom card deck featuring illustrations of butterflies.

She even found a way to turn her guestbook into a work of art. Guests were encouraged to leave their message for the couple on a small cutout of a butterfly. After the wedding, the butterflies were assembled into a piece of 3D art for their home, thanks to the work of Fort Worth-based artist Sarah Gentry.

Emily wanted her wedding to exude the “joy of a Ted Lasso episode,” and she achieved this in every aspect of her big day. She thoughtfully pieced together pastel fabrics, interesting florals, and functional yet charming decor to personalize their intimate celebration.

Her family took each of Emily’s creative ideas and ran with them. Her grandmother hand-painted watercolor illustrations of Carmel for the invitations and other printed materials. Her mother, a lifelong photographer, printed black and white portraits of each guest to be used on the seating chart. Such close attention to detail shows how much Emily and Jack cherish each of their guests.

For the bridal party, Emily entrusted her close friends to select their own gowns. She gave her fashionable friends a color palette and let their creativity run wild. Her bridesmaids wore complementary patterns of gingham, florals, and toile, capturing Emily’s vision for a unique but cohesive bridal party look.

The bright high ceilings of their venue were beautiful, but Emily wanted to make it feel like a more intimate dinner with friends. She hung large chandeliers and florals from the ceiling, lowering the height of the room while staying true to her vision of light and airy decor.

Their joyful day turned into a lively party, with everyone joining Emily and Jack on the dance floor. The couple and guests donned cowboy hats and playful accessories to sing their hearts out and celebrate the Cozarts.

Design/planning: @karlispanglerevents
Venue: @eventsatmissionranch
Photo: @ellenashton
Video: @johnnybfilms
Entertainment: @jordankahnorchestra
Floral: @barefootfloral
Rentals: @theonicollection @foundco.shop @bbjlatavola @standardeventrentals
Stationery: @pinkchampagnedesigns
Beauty: @blushmonterey
Cake: @edithmeyerweddingcakes