Morning, Cakies! When Alexandra Wallace sent over these photos she captured with Grace Kathryn of Jenna + Reyjay’s wedding, we just had to learn more about this sweet venue. Turns out, it’s their very own abode, set on a property surrounded by eucalyptus trees and succulents. They were on the venue hunt when they found their dream fixer upper in Oceanside, so they actually spent their engagement fixing it up and transforming it not just into the venue they wanted all along, but a gorgeous place to call home for years to come. Hear their story below!
Their love story: Technically we met at a bar in Encinitas… but my dad would prefer we call it “a restaurant.” Two of my best friends had met two of his close friends at a local event a few weeks prior and they spotted them at the bar and said “hello”. A “few” drinks were had and bad dancing ensued. We had a blast together and by the end of the night had exchanged numbers. We were pretty much inseparable after that, until I left for Australia a few weeks later for a month long backpacking trip I had planned with my best friend. Neither of us had any expectations for the relationship at that point since it was still so new so we left it at “let’s see what happens after Australia.” That month was not only filled with Australian adventures but also frequent emails between Reyjay and I. Even though we were on opposite sides of the world, our email exchanges helped us get to know each other on a deeper level, beyond our initial attraction. Once I was back, we quickly fell head over heels for each other and have been best friends and lovers ever since!
Don’t you love our bride’s 70s inspired wedding dress? It’s the Zeppelin Gown by Rue De Seine from The Dress Theory, and she paired it with turquoise jewelry she had collected over the years.
We toured several venues in the San Diego area, but none of them felt right. We did find a venue we loved in the Temecula area and had even put down a deposit, but a few short weeks after committing to the venue, the stars aligned and we found our dream fixer upper with property that matched the feel of the venue we had booked. At first hosting the wedding at our house started as a joke, a fun idea, that we didn’t think was realistic based on the condition of the house. Once we started working on the property and saw the true potential, we realized we needed to exchange our vows here! So, we went with our gut, adjusted the wedding date to give us a more realistic timeline and started to hustle on our projects.
They enlisted Rachael of Lace & Likes to help them bring their vision to life.
And, since they both have a carefree boho beach style, having a macrame design with lots of neutrals and hints of color throughout was right up their alley. This seating chart DIY was created with scrap leather from Walter & George.
Our home is a single story 1950’s home whose centerpiece is a large brick fireplace that separates the living room from the kitchen. To make it our own, we opened up/expanded one of the bedrooms, built a loft in the spare room, remodeled the kitchen, and installed new hardwood floors. The house had amazing bones so we wanted to make sure any changes we made highlighted the pieces of the house that made us fall in love with it. The yard was gorgeous as is, so we accented the natural beauty by cleaning it up a bit, and adding some new foliage.
Their space also has huge garden that the previous owner started with tons of veggies and fruit trees. Sounds like such a perfect California property!
Lastly, Jenna’s tips for planning a backyard wedding:
• Work with what you have to your advantage and highlight what you love about your home.
• Take advantage of your family and friends! Seriously, we would’ve never been able to pull it off without all of the help!
• Take baby steps, make lists, and do your best to prioritize what needs to be done and what you hope will be done so you don’t get overwhelmed.
• Do your research on vendors and trust your gut when you find a person or company that speaks to you and your style.
• Give up on perfection; it’s not going to happen and you’re the only that will notice.
Congratulations, you two!
Photography: Alexandra Wallace & Grace Kathryn Photography / Venue: Private Residence in Oceanside, CA / Coordination: Rachael of Lace & Likes / Florist: Haystack Floral / Hair & Makeup: Lauren Schultz of Top Knot Salon & Sophie Stephens / Invitations: Drawn & Designed by Abby Miller / Cake: Monica Harrop / Donuts: VG Donut & Bakery / Catering: San Diego Paella / Furniture & Tabletop: Folklore Vintage Rentals / Lighting & Dance Floor: Abbey Party Rentals Abbey Party Rentals / DJ: Dart Collective / Bar: Build Your Own Bar / Leather Banner: Walter & George with Calligraphy by Valerie Smith / House Staging: Ashley Asher / Bride’s Dress: The Zeppelin Gown by Rue De Seine from The Dress Theory / Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell x Free People Minimal Lace Up Heel / Jewelry: Vintage / Engagement Ring: Groom’s Great Grandmother’s / Wedding Band: Etsy / Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu & Stone Cold Fox / Groom’s Suit: Bar III / Wedding Band: The Sly Fox / Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux