California Destination Wedding in Beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea

A wedding party poses in front of a historic church, with bridesmaids in blue dresses and groomsmen in black suits holding red bouquets and raising their hands.

California Destination Wedding in Beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea

May 8, 2026
Words by Olivia Curley
Photos courtesy of Anna J. Ray

For Megan and Chris, the journey to the altar began with a literal push on a soccer field in Atlanta. Playing on opposing teams, Megan sparked a connection in the most competitive way possible. As she recalls, “I pushed him at the end of the game and he was like, ‘Hey what was that all about?’” That playful shove led to a post-game conversation at a soccer bar, where they were shocked to discover they were practically neighbors. Their first official date followed just a day after Valentine’s Day, marking the start of a relationship that would eventually bridge the gap between their home in Georgia and Megan’s family roots in California, more specifically in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

A group celebrates on a beach with drinks, personalized can coolers on ice, and a couple kissing by the shoreline. Collage showing a formal table set with white linens and red floral centerpieces, a large printed seating chart on an easel, and a close-up of red flower arrangements.

While the couple built their life together in the South, Megan’s heart remained anchored in the Bay Area, where her Italian family has lived since immigrating in the early 1900s. Carmel-by-the-Sea had always been the backdrop for their most significant milestones, from her grandparents’ engagement on the beach to numerous family honeymoons. Chris was woven into this family tapestry during an early holiday visit when they borrowed her grandmother’s car for a date along the 17-Mile Drive. They ended that evening listening to live piano music at Mission Ranch, a night Chris remembers as the moment he knew he wanted to marry her. Years later, after a proposal at Little Mulberry Park and a surprise celebration back on the Beltline, it only felt right to return to that same Pacific coastline for their wedding.

Framed childhood photos on a table, a plate of oysters with lemon, and a couple posing together at an indoor event with greenery. Elegant restaurant with green chairs, white-clothed tables set for dining, large indoor plants, a white statue, and a glass ceiling with a chandelier. A group of people socializing at an indoor event, a decorative table with greenery and red flowers, and a tray of coffee cups with cream on top.

The logistics of planning a wedding from 2,000 miles away brought a few hurdles, but the celebration officially took flight (quite literally) when they boarded their plane to California. Upon hearing they were traveling with their wedding attire, the pilot made a special announcement to the cabin and sent back “champagne and wings” to the couple. This set a joyful tone for a weekend designed to feel like a “mini-vacation” for their guests. The festivities kicked off with a beach welcome party at the exact spot where Megan’s grandparents had become engaged decades prior, followed by a rehearsal dinner where Megan carried a purse belonging to her great-grandmother and wore a 1915 necklace from Chris’s great-grandmother.

A flat lay of red and white wedding invitations, a group of groomsmen walking outside, and bridesmaids in blue dresses holding red bouquets with the bride. A collage of wedding scenes features a historic church, a bride in a white gown with red flowers, a groom in a tuxedo, and the bride walking down the aisle. A wedding ceremony is taking place at the altar of a church, with guests seated in pews and a chandelier hanging from the arched ceiling.

This reverence for family history culminated on the morning of the wedding when Chris presented Megan with a final, deeply personal heirloom. He gave her an emerald, his birthstone, which had been gifted to him at age eight with the specific instruction to save it for his future wife. Megan reflected on the weight of that moment, saying, “Wearing that emerald on our wedding day was the most special moment for me.” This sense of legacy then moved to the historic Carmel Mission Basilica, a stunning 1797 Spanish-style structure. In a powerful entrance, Megan walked herself down the aisle for the Catholic service. The ceremony was filled with community spirit, particularly when the priest asked the gathered guests to audibly commit to supporting the couple’s marriage, prompting a resounding and collective “yes” from the pews.

A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet aloft and smiles joyfully outside a church with a bell tower and blooming flowers. A collage showing a decorated wedding venue, a couple dancing outdoors, and a bar setup with flowers, wine bottles, and a welcome sign.

As the celebration transitioned to the reception at Mission Ranch, an active ranch and hotel owned by Clint Eastwood, the “moody summer heat” aesthetic Megan envisioned came to life. Rejecting traditional bridal pastels, she opted for a bold palette of bright red, blue, silver, and heavy textures. Deep red roses became a signature motif, appearing on everything from the custom stationery and stamps to the wedding cake. Megan’s own look mirrored this “anti-dainty” philosophy; she wore a modern Varca “Casper Corset and Skirt” paired with Stuart Weitzman platforms. She explained her choice by saying, “I wanted something modern but still timeless; nothing too dainty or expected,” even noting her plan to re-wear the corset for their first anniversary.

A martini glass and red roses, a formal table setting with candles, and a bride and groom embracing outdoors near a fence. A wedding reception with guests seated at tables decorated with red flowers, and a white cake with red floral accents.

The evening was a high-energy blend of California elegance and personal touches. Guests enjoyed a farm-to-table menu featuring fried artichokes and butternut squash ravioli, while sipping signature cocktails named after the couple’s dog, Sam. The dance floor stayed packed as the music shifted from a romantic first dance to “Strangers in the Night” to high-energy 90s anthems like “Wonderwall” and “Friends in Low Places.” To close out the night, the couple brought the story back to their family roots once more. Guests were sent home with bags of “Carmel” candies that had been handmade by Megan’s mother and grandmother, ensuring that everyone left with a literal piece of the family history that defined the entire weekend.

A bride and groom cut a cake, dance together, and walk through a crowd of guests celebrating at an outdoor wedding reception.