When deciding where to marry her beloved, Stephanie Foley could not think of a better place than home. Though she and William Eady currently reside in Los Angeles, they thought it best to wed in the state where their romance first began. Five years after meeting through a mutual friend at Vanderbilt University, William proposed to Stephanie after receiving her parents’ blessing. “We had just moved to Los Angeles, and the timing just felt right as we started a new chapter of life together,” announces the groom.

One year later, 250 loved ones joined the couple at the bride’s family residence for their alfresco ceremony. “I wanted a classic wedding,” notes Stephanie, who chose a neutral color palette of blushes, whites, and champagnes for the décor of her backyard nuptials. A paved walkway led guests away from the estate and down to the ceremony seating by way of sandstone steps. Crisp white chairs dotted the grassy lawn, and leafy garlands ornamented with white roses decorated the seating along the aisleway.

Attendants preceded the bride down the aisle and ascended stone steps to a raised lawn, which established the stage for the ceremony. Bridesmaids dressed in one-shouldered sheaths in a pale shade of slate – a color that also bedecked the mothers’ gowns – and carried delicate nosegays of roses in hues of vanilla and muted pink with exposed stems. Groomsmen donned classic black suits and ties, boutonnieres fashioned from alabaster blooms, and silk pocket squares in the shade of the maids’ dresses. William sported a similarly handsome ensemble, save a white pocket square to match his bride’s gown.

Stephanie was a vision of grace as she glided down the aisle on her father’s arm to meet William underneath a natural arch adorned with florals and greenery. Her long, blonde hair was loosely curled below a waterfall braid; a floor-length veil with lace trim trailed beautifully behind. She carried a romantic bouquet featuring white stephanotis blossoms dotted with pearls and roses in creams and pale pinks. Her lace A-line gown was embellished with custom beading and featured a sweetheart neckline and scalloped hem. “My most memorable moment of the day was when I first saw Stephanie in her wedding dress,” recounts the groom. “She looked spectacular.”  

Following the ceremony, guests made their way across the magical landscape for light refreshments. While William left most of the wedding planning up to his bride, he was particularly interested in the food and beverage elements of the festivities. “My signature cocktail was a gin-based drink called ‘Vegas Morning,’” describes the groom. “It was jalapeño infused, which reflected my spicy Chilean heritage,” he adds with a smile. Libations were served on the estate’s terrace near a shallow reflecting pool, which was graced with floating floral bundles atop leafy displays. Nearby on a table fashioned with linens of silvery sequins, guests discovered their seating cards and filed into the astonishing reception space.

Once inside the elaborate tented structure, wedding attendees were delighted by a sit-down dinner service. A canopy of champagne-colored drapery lined with twinkling string lights suspended glistening chandeliers that reflected natural light onto the dark wood flooring below. Round tables were swathed in linens of various styles, some in sterling with floral embroidery and others in a lovely texture pattern. Vanilla hydrangeas, cream and blush roses, and branches dotted with light pink buds were among the foliage that emerged from towering centerpieces fashioned from cylindrical vessels and trumpet vases. The classic tablescape was dimly lit with floating candles as the sun began to set.

A multi-tiered, white wedding cake was on full display throughout the celebration and featured coconut milk cake with white chocolate icing and fresh berries. “Our cake was decorated with ‘satin ribbons’ around each layer that were ‘buttoned up’ and finished with cascading white flowers, all made out of sugar,” explains Stephanie. Once the confection was sliced, she and William shared a special first dance to the classic tune “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart. The band kept the party going until the clock struck midnight.

“Everyone told me it was going to fly by, but I felt like I was able to pause several times throughout the day to take everything in,” professes William. Though the couple cherished spending time with all of their loved ones, their dog was one of the bride’s most treasured guests of the evening. “Will and I got Remy together five years ago in college, so we felt it necessary to include him in the wedding,” she reveals. The pup’s photograph even ended up on the signature wine bottles served at the reception.

With the full moon as a backdrop, Stephanie and William made their final exit from the reception space and into a vintage Rolls-Royce. “My new mother-in-law was able to track down biodegradable confetti to shoot out of cannons as we made our exit,” says the groom. His bride declares, “It was the perfect end to such a magical day.”