I absolutely loved working with Mackenzie and Makay on their neutral fall wedding at Stanly Ranch in Napa Valley this past November. As their wedding planner and designer, we collaborated closely throughout the planning process—and what we started with looked very different from where we ultimately landed. I wanted to take you behind the scenes of the design journey to share how the final look came together and why flexibility and trust played such a key role in the outcome.
The Initial Wedding Design Vision
From the start, Mackenzie and Makay knew they wanted a neutral, fall-inspired color palette. That direction was established early on and remained fairly consistent throughout planning, which gave us a strong foundation to build from. Having a clear vision at the beginning allowed us to make confident decisions as the design evolved, while still leaving room for refinement along the way.
Designing the Tablescape: Velvet, Wood, and Stoneware
When it came to the tablescape, the groom had one specific request: incorporating velvet. That detail immediately helped guide our design decisions. We knew we didn’t want velvet covering the entire table, so we opted for velvet napkins in a rich chocolate brown tone instead.
From there, we explored charger and plate combinations and ultimately landed on a wood charger paired with a stoneware plate. The intention was to let the charger and napkin act as the statement elements, rather than the linen itself, since the couple preferred something understated rather than patterned or bold. We completed the look with chocolate brown chairs and chose to use the venue’s flatware and glassware instead of renting additional pieces—a decision that aligned with both the budget and our overall design priorities.
Layering in Florals, Candles, and Paper Goods
Once the tablescape was finalized, we were able to layer in details that truly elevated the reception space. Floral design and candle selections were key elements here, with Found Floral absolutely knocking it out of the park. These choices brought warmth, texture, and depth to the room while staying true to the neutral fall aesthetic.
Paper goods were another major priority, especially since the bride and I both love great stationery. Della Terra Goods brought that vision to life beautifully. We also extended intentional design choices to the bars and dance floor. Because the dance floor was large and centered in the room, we opted for a custom color rather than a traditional brown-and-white or black-and-white checkered floor. This decision aligned seamlessly with both the design vision and the budget.
How RSVPs Influenced the Final Wedding Design
One thing I always emphasize during the design process is how much can shift in the final weeks. After receiving RSVPs, the guest count ended up being lower than originally expected. That opened up room in the budget for a few meaningful upgrades.
We added banquette seating and selected different chairs for the head table, which created visual interest and helped the room feel more dynamic. Because we were already confident in the overall design direction, these late-stage additions were easy to implement and made a significant impact. Mixing and matching seating is something I love to do, and guests tend to respond really positively to it as well.
A Red-Themed Cocktail Hour at Stanly Ranch
I typically design one space at a time, and cocktail hour is often the last area we finalize unless it requires specific rentals or holds particular importance for the couple. Since the ceremony and dinner design were intentionally neutral, we decided to have a bit more fun with cocktail hour.
Because the couple’s new last name is The Redds, we leaned into a red-themed cocktail hour. We incorporated linens with red accents, deeper red and burgundy tones in the florals, and carried that color story through all of the signage. We even featured different matchbooks at cocktail hour than during dinner and dancing, a small but thoughtful detail that reinforced the theme.
To stay aligned with the budget, we used the venue’s lounge furniture rather than renting additional pieces, but elevated the look with patterned red pillows to tie everything together.
Why Trust Is the Most Important Design Element
The biggest reason this wedding design came together so seamlessly was the level of trust Mackenzie and Makay brought to the process from the very beginning. While we collaborated closely to ensure every decision felt true to them, they trusted me with rentals, color selections, and the finer design details.
That trust allowed the design to evolve naturally and created space for thoughtful decisions as the full picture came into focus. In my experience, it’s what makes a wedding feel cohesive, personal, and truly elevated.
All photos by the talented Jessica Rieke.
