On New Year’s Eve 2016, television and radio host Angela Akins and professional golfer Sergio Garcia celebrated the holiday at the private ranch of Angela’s family along with their closest friends and relatives. Shortly after midnight, Sergio requested that the music be turned down and then dropped to one knee to ask his sweetheart to become his wife. “I was completely surprised!” confides the bride-to-be. “Everyone was so happy and excited… It was really amazing to share that moment with everyone.”

After seven months of planning, 80 loved ones joined the couple on the day of their nuptials. Because the family ranch had become such a special place to both Angela and Sergio, there wasn’t a doubt of where the wedding would be held. “I thought it was unique that I was able to get married in the same beautiful place where I had proposed,” admits Sergio. The estate was given an elegant ambience, “with a touch of rustic,” describes the bride, who had chosen a palette of classic hues including blush, peach, champagne, and touches of gold.

The aisle, completely covered in fresh rose petals, led to a spot overlooking the lake where the bride and groom would exchange vows. Two large floral arrangements in peach, blush, and cream accented the naturally alluring area. The bridal party, wearing varied styles in pretty muted shades, preceded the bride. Angela was resplendent in a classic lace gown featuring a high slit; her hair was worn in a low, loose ponytail completed with a single white rose. “I wanted my dress to be simple, yet beautiful, and a touch sexy,” she says. Sergio shares that one of his favorite moments was watching Angela walk down the aisle: “She was stunning!”

A sweet service incorporated details from Sergio’s home country of Spain. Most touching to onlookers was the Pablo Neruda love poem the couple had chosen for a reading. Sergio’s brother read it once in Spanish, followed by Angela’s sister reading the poem in English.

Attendees were guided to the back patio for a themed cocktail hour, complete with authentic Spanish olives, cheeses, breads, and other hors d’oeuvres with European influence. “We wanted to incorporate Sergio’s heritage into the day as well as make his loved ones from Spain feel comfortable and welcome,” explains Angela. Both white and red sangria were offered, in addition to a professional jamón slicer flown in from Spain to cut the juicy pork legs perfectly.

Guests transitioned to a tented space for the reception, first finding their seating assignments by way of place cards arranged in rows of green grass, each sitting atop a golf tee. Wooden signs laser-cut into Spanish numbers designated respective tables. Though the bride desired an abundance of flowers on tablescapes and throughout the event décor, she also wanted place settings to illustrate understated elegance: Gold-rimmed charger plates showcased a crisp linen napkin with eyelet trim and a single tulip.

A flower wall with the couple’s custom motif was displayed, along with wooden bars and signs written in both English and Spanish. “We had specialty cocktails with fun names, too,” adds the bride. Centerpieces in hues of blush, champagne, and peach alternated between short and tall arrangements in golden vases and long floral runners, complemented with antlers – “to give it a rustic-ranch touch.”

During the scrumptious supper, which included a Nutella pancake station (“They were delicious!” Sergio affirms), the newlyweds were excited to surprise their guests with special entertainment. “Our great friend Kenny G is the best saxophonist in the world and he put on an incredibly memorable performance for all of us,” remembers the groom. “It was fun seeing all the big smiles on everyone’s faces!”

When the festivities ended at midnight, Angela and Sergio invited everyone to the pool area for an after-party. Since Sergio had recently won the 2017 Masters Tournament where the winner is gifted a very famous green jacket, the late-night soirée was Masters themed. Cabanas were set up for easy changing and everyone was offered a swimsuit, beach bag, flip-flops, towels, and more – all in green! As loved ones settled into the fun atmosphere, another moment of awe took place. “My parents surprised us with an eight-minute long fireworks show,” Angela says. “The lights reflected off the lake and everyone had such an amazing view… it was my favorite part of the entire night!”

The bride acknowledges that things will go wrong on the day of the wedding, but emphasizes that no one will know except for you. “One of my favorite moments was seeing how proud Sergio was of me for creating such a beautiful day,” admits Angela. “It goes by so fast, so remember to enjoy every little moment and each other.”