Flower Arch for Bright Multicultural Wedding at Mystique Ranch, USA

Photography by Benj Haisch

We have been well and truly put under a floral spell whilst putting together this colourful outdoor ranch wedding. Filled with thousands of blooms grown by the groom's mother, grandmother and family friend, including an amazing flower arch framing the nuptials and hanging installations above the sweetheart table. Also leaving us speechless is the bride's racerback wedding dress and giant frou-frou skirt which she not only found at a charity boutique supporting women but she also donated back to them after she'd got married in it. Such a wonderful gesture and fabulously eco-conscious too.

Groom on wedding morning putting on his tie

Bride in layered tulle skirt at first look

Happy bride and groom during first look portraits

Bride in preloved wedding dress and detachable skirt

Outdoor wedding ceremony with brightly coloured flower arch

Flower arch, moon gate, altar with lanterns

Animals on Mystique Ranch wedding venue in Washington, USA

Outdoor wedding ceremony at Mystique Ranch with flower arch

Page boys with bubbles walking down the aisle

Groom in floral tie and dahlia buttonhole waiting at the altar

Outdoor civil ceremony in front of a flower arch

Bride in preloved wedding dress with layered skirt

Bride in racer back wedding dress saying her vows

Bride and groom kissing in front of the flower arch at outdoor wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exchanging vows in front of the flower arch

Bride and groom just married walking up the aisle

Bridal party portrait with bridesmaids in pink dresses

Groomsmen wedding party portrait in front of the flower arch

Bride and groom portrait with the best man and maid of honour

What Made Our Day Unique
All the flowers and foliage were grown by Dylan’s mother (Simply Tamara Nicole Floral Design) and there were A LOT. This took months of effort from his mother especially, but also his grandmother and a close family friend, plus uncles and aunts who helped cut and prep. They really made the wedding incredible, representing so much care our loved ones put in for us. Dylan’s uncle Dave officiated with a beautiful and personal homily while we were surrounded by majestic yaks, representing my Chinese heritage and being born in the year of the ox. We really felt this wedding captured who we are. I am also very happy to have found my dress at a charity boutique that takes donated dresses and donates all profit to charities supporting women. I even donated my dress back at the end of our wedding! The giant frou-frou skirt I had custom ordered really added dramatic flair during the ceremony and it was a lot of fun stepping out of it in front of everyone to perform our first dance.
Cecilia & Dylan

Flower Arch

Dylan's maternal side of the family has a history of horticulture and season permitting, his house is always filled with fresh bouquets from his mother's garden. As soon as Cecilia and Dylan got engaged, his mother, Kelly started planning and researching all the florals and foliage she could grow. With the help and additional gardens of grandmother Sue and good family friend Marilu, they grew over 1000 plants! Enough to fill the backs of 3 SUVs and a 9 foot Uhaul. Together they forged the amazing flower arch, bouquets, buttonholes, centrepieces and installations that make this wedding a fower lovers dream.

Inspiration & Styling
We wanted the feel of a lush enchanted forest filled with foliage and flowers that felt wild and magical. We both love the outdoors and wanted to preserve a more natural feel that also captured our sense of whimsy and adventure. The most emotional moment for me was the first time I saw the flower arch as I rounded the corner to walk down the aisle. It was so unexpectedly breathtaking. When I saw Dylan standing there surrounded by all our family and friends, the sight was so powerful I couldn't help but start to cry. One of the most fun moments though was performing our first dance and surprising everyone with that song and dance moves, for which we had been taking dance lessons secretly a couple of months before.
Cecilia & Dylan

Colourful hanging installation with blue hydrangeas and red dahlias

Moss centrepiece with apothecary jar and votives

Pink and coral dahlia centrepiece flowers

Bride in preloved racerback wedding dress and frou frou skirt

Multicultural wedding with Asian bride in preloved wedding dress

Romantic handpicked wedding bouquet with dahlias

Groom riding a bull on a dance in the USA

Place setting with personalised wedding tattoo favour

Mystique Ranch, Washington, USA with flower arch and installation

Hanging flower installation with homegrown flowers

Sweetheart table with brightly coloured flower installation and arrangement

Personalised bride and groom tattoo transfer

Bride and groom sitting at their sweetheart table

Bride and groom first dance with bride in racerback wedding dress

Bride and groom choreographed first dance

Bride and groom first dance at Mystique Ranch, USA

Bride and groom performing their choreographed first dance

Bride and groom portrait at Mystique Ranch wedding

Advice
I think it helps to prioritise a small number of key things that’ll really matter the most to you. This could be dinner service, the decor, your dress, whatever. It’s very likely you’ll have to adapt to unexpected circumstances and make some sacrifices somewhere, and instead of being disappointed by little things that go wrong, you can stay happy that those 3-4 major things went perfectly.
Cecilia & Dylan

Every wedding is different and every couple will have different priorities on how they spend their budget, but if you need a little guidance we've put together a budget breakdown to help you on your way. Plus, if you're worried about things going wrong, listen to our Plan B podcast to help you plan for those eventualities. You're welcome.