As freshmen at Pepperdine University, Hunter Folsom and Grant Lacey fell into a solid friendship before they fell in love. “Towards the end of our time in college, I realized that I didn’t want to go through life without her,” shares the groom of his decision to propose. Since his beloved was interning at a non-profit organization in Peru, he took the opportunity to not only visit her, but also plan an unforgettable proposal at Machu Picchu. “When we got to the end of the trail, there was a lookout point, and surprisingly no one around. After a few quiet moments, he asked me to marry him,” says Hunter of the moment she was presented with a stunning, ethically sourced diamond ring.

Expecting the process of coordinating their nuptials to be very difficult, the bride and groom were thrilled with their choice to hire an esteemed event designer. “The task of wedding planning was made so much easier by Diamond Affairs,” confirms Hunter. Knowing they wanted an outdoor venue in the bride’s hometown, the duo selected a gorgeous private estate that allowed them to comfortably host 250 guests. Since the celebration took place in the fall, a cozy color palette of burgundy, gold, green, and rose was implemented. “I wanted a rustic, warm, welcoming feel,” she explains of her vision.

The bride walked down the wooden aisle, topped with a collection of rugs serving as the aisle runner, in an off-the-shoulder lace gown featuring bell sleeves; a flower crown comprised of wine-hued blooms and fresh leaves replaced her need for a veil. As Hunter met Grant at the altar, which featured a cross embellished with verdure beneath a towering, draped arch, he was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked in that moment. To honor their beliefs, the ceremony was officiated by the pastor of the church they attend together. “Our Christian faith is incredibly important to each of us and guides us as the center of our marriage. We wanted to make sure that the ceremony was about sharing the gospel with all the people attending the wedding,” declares the bride.

Before making their way into the clear-top tent for the reception, loved ones found their seating assignments attached to miniature lanterns on a reclaimed wood display decorated with flowers in shades of burgundy, blush, and ivory, as well as ample greenery. As attendees entered the space, they were in awe of the exquisite décor. Mismatched chairs surrounding long, rectangular wooden tables and round varieties strewn with lace linens added to the design aesthetic. Centerpieces showcased an array of blossoms in autumnal hues, as well as succulents, eucalyptus, and additional verdure. “I was surprised by how many flowers Bella Flora of Dallas could fit into one venue!” exclaims the groom.

Following dinner selections from an array of Southern comfort food stations, guests were served slices from a white-and-gold confection, in addition to cake pops and a groom’s cake modeled after the Peruvian site where the pair became engaged. With their energy high, loved ones danced the night away beneath a gorgeous ceiling installation showcasing greenery, cascading amaranthus, maroon and ivory roses, and collections of crystal and glass lanterns with Edison-style bulbs. If they needed to rest, comfortable lounge areas with plush armchairs and tufted sofas provided a place to unwind – possibly with a cigar in hand. “Getting a cigar roller was definitely a priority for me. That was such a fun part of the wedding,” remembers Grant, who also notes that the entertainment was incredible: “Our guests claim that they were having so much fun, they could’ve just kept dancing all night… It was our favorite dance party of our lives, and we’ve had some guests tell us it was for them too!”

The couple agrees the day was absolutely wonderful and stresses the importance of not allowing the stress of planning to overshadow the engagement. With their families and a team of wedding planners and designers by their side, they trusted the process and it turned out better than they could have imagined. “Preparing for the wedding is important, but preparing for marriage makes the wedding logistics seem unimportant,” attests the groom. Instead of focusing on the minute details, the newlyweds encourage engaged pairs to leave that to the professionals and focus on what really matters.