A Private Ranch Wedding in Nicasio for 70 Guests

Getting Ready in the Nicasio Ranch House

Upstairs in the main house, seven women got ready together — Arrol, her mom Jillian, her sister, Stanley's two sisters, his aunt, his cousin, and his mom — each sitting down for hair or makeup while the ranch woke up around them. Arrol went into a striking red qipao for the ceremony, high-collared and sleeveless, worked all down the front with gold phoenix embroidery, her hair up with a gold pin and a bold red lip to match. Stanley wore a white dinner jacket, a black bow tie, and black trousers.

They met for a first look on the white-columned veranda at the front of the house, before the guests came — Stanley waiting with his back turned while Arrol came up behind him, the valley opening out past the porch rail. There were children underfoot through the getting-ready hour too, a girl with braided pigtails hugging a toddler, the whole family already gathered in.

An Orchard Ceremony on the Private Marin Ranch

The ceremony was staged in the orchard, wooden chairs set among the fruit trees, a white runner down the aisle lined with black lanterns, and a string trio playing the guests in. Stanley walked in with his mom, and Arrol came down last on her mother's arm to "Can't Help Falling in Love." Two flower boys and two flower girls led the way.

Stanley's sister, Candace, stood as their officiant. She read from a green folder, laughing and near tears as she married her own brother — family marrying family, both families in the chairs. They exchanged rings under the trees, then recessed to Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" through a shower of dried petals, guests on their feet on both sides tossing handfuls as they passed. Champagne was already poured and waiting as everyone came back toward the house.