Credits: Lacie Hansen

Really, all you need for the perfect wedding is the one you love, and this couple kept that in mind when planning their simple and intimate wedding at San Ysidro Ranch. Says the bride: “After years of attending and performing music at weddings, we knew we just weren’t the traditional type. It took two and half years of planning and a recent visit to San Ysidro Ranch, to finally realize we had found the perfect venue. We decided that three important criteria were essential for a blissful wedding day: being present, not being overwhelmed by mass amounts of family and friends, and surrounding ourselves in a small cocoon of love and support. Ultimately, we decided to elope with a magic thirteen members of close friends and family – it truly was perfection.”

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

The couple met in a Piano Ensemble music class in college.

Credits: Lacie Hansen

After their first look, says Lauren, “we chose not to see anyone until the ceremony and having that quiet time made the impact of seeing our guests for the first time was wonderful.”

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

From the bride: “It rained the entire day of our wedding. Words do not describe the experience of it. Hummingbirds, glistening flowers and the soft patter of rain enveloped our ceremony. All of our guests were asked lay down an olive branch along with a blessing for us in the place where we were to stand during our ceremony. The ceremony was held in the Old Adobe House and we both entered the room at the same time, as equals.”

“Our dinner was held at the Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch on one family-style table underneath an awning of lights. The flowers were probably one of my favorite parts of our wedding, and each guest received a small box of See’s candy, a family tradition. Before dinner, each one of our guests toasted us, which lasted close to an hour. It was a moment we will never forget. After the most delectable dinner and chocolate soufflés we stayed awake until the morning talking about our wonderful day and left the next day for our honeymoon in Tulum, Mexico.”

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Credits: Lacie Hansen

Why did you choose this location for your wedding? San Ysidro Ranch is the most beautiful venue in our opinion. The food, wine list and ambience is exquisite.

Is there a standout detail or any surprises from the day? We had no idea it would rain the entire day of our wedding, but it truly made everything feel that much more special. Everything was perfect, from the flowers to the photographer/makeup artist and we wouldn’t have had our wedding any other way.

Do you have any budget tips for other brides? Initially, we planned on renting the lavender field for our ceremony at SYR but decided to use the Old Adobe Room instead. The Old Adobe Room only cost $400 for six hours. A total steal!

Did you include any traditions in your wedding? We used olive branches as a unique symbol of blessing as we are not religious. Our guests bought us, “something blue” gifts and we spent the morning getting ready in separate locations which made the first look a beautiful moment.

See more of Lauren and Ian’s rainy day elopement in the gallery.

Read more at http://www.snippetandink.com/lauren-ian-romantic-elopement-at-san-ysidro-ranch/#mvTQd6GQBSidYC49.99