Colleen + Garrett’s California wedding day was packed with unique + dreamy DIY creations that we cannot wait to show you.
“Before we got engaged, I never dreamed of my own wedding,” says bride Colleen, “and Garrett’s dream was always for us to get married at his best friend’s grandparents’ avocado ranch—Hidden Valley Ranch in Poway, CA. This is where he grew up playing, and it was, and still is, a very special place to him. After we got engaged, Garrett’s best friend’s sister reached out to congratulate us and mentioned us using the ranch if we wanted to for our wedding, and we are so grateful that she did! We were encouraged to use it if we would like, so with a grateful heart, we said yes.”
With the meaningfully chosen sprawling ranch property as their venue, the crafty couple (aka @nebulousglass on TikTok) set about designing the look of their special day. “Wonderland” was the design aesthetic that captured their imagination, and soon after, the idea to create stained glass pieces for the celebration took shape. “It was a ‘that would be SO cool!’ kind of thought, but we didn’t quite know how it would all come together or if it would be possible,” the couple says.
One of the many things we love about this wonderful Wonderland wedding is the way the couple included their families in the creation of their wedding vision. Colleen’s mother Lynne Ricard was on top of many of the stained glass details. Colleen’s older brother Todd Ricard of The Prisoner Wine Company handled wine. Colleen’s sister-in-law Karie Ricard was the mind behind hair + makeup. Colleen’s younger brother Emerson Ricard officiated. And Colleen’s sister Katie Ricard was the photographer!
“We wanted the day to feel authentic to us—full of glimmers, joy, warmth, color, whimsy, magic, fun, play, and retro vibes” Colleen + Garrett shared. Let’s take a look!
How sweet is the whimsical invitation art (designed by the bride’s best friend Melissa!) that the couple used in their wedding day paper goods!
We have Vinci Leather to thank for Colleen’s amazing wedding heels. That sculptural pop of orange! 🧡
“I found my dress at Grace Loves Lace in downtown San Diego, CA,” remembers Colleen. “The space was gorgeous—stained glass windows even! They were playing some Parent Trap faves, I remember, and the whole vibe was so fun. I went with my mom, my brother, and my brother’s boyfriend. We started there, and I didn’t quite know what my “perfect dress” was, but the person who helped me was amazing. She actually was the one who picked out my dress, and sure enough, it was the one.”
“I put it on and instantly felt like it was made for me. It felt unique and different, and I felt so many things in it—cute, sexy, authentically me, comfortable. My older sister, Katie, was also on FaceTime during each dress fitting (because she lives in Wisconsin). I went to three different places and ultimately decided on GLL the following day or two after.”
The Ceremony
There’s something so special about the fact that the bride’s brother Emerson Ricard was there to make it official for the happy couple.
“While my mom was working on her stained glass projects for the wedding (she’s the best), the stained glass arch idea was born,” says Colleen. “I had been making stained glass projects, two of which Garrett created irregular-shaped wooden frames for. I think this was ultimately where he came up with the idea to incorporate glass into the arch. Originally, he planned to create our altar/arch himself. He drew up a rough sketch of his idea, I drew up the shapes for the glass, and then we got to it.”
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding We both thought our ceremony was most memorable. We walked in together (processional) and out together as newlyweds (recessional). It was so special. Colleen's little brother officiated, which meant the world to us. Seeing all of our friends and family, the sunshine/warmth we felt, our arch project at the end with the lake background—it was glimmer after glimmer.
“Something to note about the arch is that it wasn’t fully assembled until the morning of the wedding. Each individual section still needed to be officially screwed together,” Colleen remembers. “Garrett stayed at the ranch with some buddies, and I stayed at our house the night before. He called me the morning of to see if it was okay for them to assemble it, which I said, ‘Of course,’ but he wanted to check with me, which I thought was so sweet since it was “our” project…”
“When I drove into the ranch later that morning, I immediately started bawling when I saw Garrett and his buddies standing in front of the arch after finishing the assembly. That moment was a big one for me. I stopped my car in the driveway, and Garrett held me for a little bit. Getting married later that day really clicked for me in that moment. It was actually happening!!”
“I just felt so excited and lucky to be marrying Garrett. It may sound silly, but there was a lot of work that went into that project, and so much love…I guess you would call it a true labor of love. Also, all of our friends and family who helped us—it was unreal.”
The Reception
“I can’t remember who thought of the stained glass candle holders and the table signs, me or my mom, but my mom was game,” says Colleen of the incredibly talented MOB, Lynne Ricard. “She’s amazing and created all of the stained glass candle holders, table signs, and the seating chart. Once we figured those details out, it was a colorful, stained glass Wonderland.”
Check out our collection of creative wedding reception seating chart ideas if you’re searching for an unforgettable way of your own to get your guests to their seats.
“Creating a vision, planning our wedding, and making it our own-unique to us was a collaboration from beginning to end,” Colleen says. “Neither of us ever felt like we were doing more than the other—it was a team effort.”
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Home" - Edward Sharpe & The Magnet Zeroes covered by Deyaz + "You’re Still the One" - Shania Twain covered by boygenius
Recessional: "Cowboy Take Me Away" - The Chicks
First Dance: "Walk Above the City" - The Paper Kites feat. MARO
“Truly this was a day we would relive every year if we could.”
We’re so delighted by the delicious simplicity of the white wedding cake and wedding desserts from Little Cakes Kitchen.
How FABULOUS was Colleen’s post-ceremony outfit change into this adorable mini reception dress and these floral go-go boots!
We’re obsessed with that open back. And the bow! Bows are one of our favorite wedding trends to watch right now.
Karie Ricard (the bride’s sister-in-law) absolutely nailed the day’s bridal hairstyles and warm, shimmery wedding makeup. So fun to make a switch from half-up half-down style to chic pony bridal updo!
Is there anything more fun than a pair of statement wedding earrings?
Our Advice To Those Planning Now From the bride: "Make this day about YOUR & YOUR PARTNER’S LOVE. This is probably very common advice at this point, but it’s so important.
If you think it’s impossible, or maybe it won’t work, or it’s too much, question it… try it out if you can… talk to each other and make it your own. But also, if you’re like, “All of this is too much, I don’t like planning, and I want to do as minimal as possible,” do that! Do what is comfortable.
If you need help or support, ask respectfully. For example, I asked literally every member of my family for help, and they were happy to contribute (as far as I know). And they actually gave off that energy—like they were excited about it! One of my dear friends offered to help with flowers, and I said, “Yes, please.” I am so grateful to each of our friends and family who supported us in any way they could, and I don’t regret asking for or accepting their support. It was well worth it.
Take breaks, go outside your comfort zone if you want to, take deep breaths, FaceTime your sister who lives in Wisconsin all the time, and ask your sibling to officiate. Do what is authentic to you both.
Bring in your strengths and passions, know your glows and grows.
Don’t worry about traditions, OR do all of the traditions because you enjoy them… it’s your day, and you are going to LOVE IT. Your people are going to love it, too.
On the day of—let it go and soak it in. Everyone told me this, and it really does fly by.
ALSO, you don’t have to invite everyone—we couldn’t afford it, and we didn’t. We invited the people we wanted there and who have celebrated our love from the get-go—those are the people you want there.
Do your processional/walk into your ceremony together if it feels authentic to you—THIS is still such a special memory for us, and countless people at our wedding told us the same."
Congratulations, Colleen + Garrett, on your whimsical Wonderland wedding day full of DIY wow moments! All the best from GWS!
photography: Katie Ricard // venue name: Hidden Valley Ranch (private estate), Poway, California, USA // event design: DIY- Colleen & Garrett // planning: Angel Hanzal // florals: Bridal bouquet and boutonniere only: Blooms Design House // wedding dress: Grace Loves Lace // hairpiece: Karie Ricard // bride’s shoes: Vinci Leather // bride’s ring: Young In The Mountains // hair stylist: Karie Ricard // makeup artist: Karie Ricard // groom attire: Suit Supply // groom’s ring: Great grandfather’s ring // videography: Andrew Ricard // handmade details: Lynne Ricard // catering: Gerardo’s Taco Catering // cake: Little Cakes // desserts: Little Cakes // music: DJ Tigerlily // officiant: Emerson Ricard // cocktails: BLOCK PARTY // stained glass arch: Nebulous Glass // wine: The Prisoner Wine Company – Todd Ricard // wholesale florals: Ramirez Wholesale Flowers Inc // vow books and guestbook: Paper Peach // wedding invitations: Melissa Zack