Wedding Inspiration: A Budget-Beautiful Party in Yolo County

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Carolyn Wood and Kyle Wood had a picturesque engagement: standing on a bridge over serene trickling water in a Japanese garden—in just the same way her parents got engaged. Now, they joke, it's a tradition.

In search of a similarly intimate outdoor venue for their wedding, they stumbled upon Park Winters, in Yolo County near Sacramento. "It had so much character, with a mix of rustic and elegant," says Carolyn.


With a strict budget, the couple made theirs a DIY affair—sourcing decorations in dollar and craft stores—and pulled off a simply sweet ceremony. The bride wore an A-line gown with lace and jewel details; her bridesmaids were radiant in an earthy shade of sage that complemented the sprigs of silver dollar eucalyptus and ribbons that adorned the ceremony.

Kyle built the alter himself, and together they stained the wood and added flowing fabric and florals, which she sourced locally wholesale. Her bridesmaids helped her assemble the bouquets with her favorite flower, hydrangeas.

Reception tables were warmed with floating candle centerpieces and garlands; an old window frame made a DIY seating chart—"It's in our living room now, filled with our awesome wedding photos," Carolyn says. Not big fans of cake, the couple looked to the bride's mom (who used to work for a bakery) for help with something different: a three-tiered, frosted cookie.

After all the planning and prep work, the couple spent the night on the dance floor with their family and friends.

Venue:Inn at Park Winters

Photography:Justin Wilcox Photography

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