Mountain Wedding at Pond Oaks with Bold Florals and Pittsburgh Cookies
Lizzie (she/her) and Abbey (she/her) planned a wedding that was relaxed, personal, and full of family. They spent the morning together in the mountains with coffee, hikes, and their nephew before getting ready side by side. At Pond Oaks in Mt. Baldy, they greeted guests as they arrived, walked down the aisle with parents and sisters, laughed through a ceremony visited by deer and foxes, and danced the night away with tacos, a family dance to Bob Seger, and a Pittsburgh cookie table complete with Oreos, a nod to Abbey’s favorite treat and Lizzie’s proposal.
Tell us about your love story. How did it begin?
We met in summer 2020 through our mutual friend James, who thought we’d be a great match. After weeks of texting, our first date was at Abbey’s house, where Lizzie cooked dinner and brought her own apron (a detail Abbey never forgot).
Early on, we bonded over hiking in the Angeles National Forest, which became a big part of our relationship. Even Lizzie’s shy dog seemed to know it was meant to be, warming to Abbey right away.
Lizzie proposed in spring 2023 on the anniversary of moving in together, with custom Oreos reading “Say Yes.” We were married in July 2024, back in the forest where we’d spent so much time together.
How long were you engaged?
We were engaged for just over a year. Since we wanted to get married in the mountains (our favorite place to be) summer was the best choice to avoid surprise snow in spring or fall. We got engaged in May 2023 and married in July 2024. About a month into the engagement we found our venue and set a date, which gave us time to enjoy being engaged while knowing we already had a plan.
What was the wedding planning experience like?
Planning was surprisingly fun and low-stress. Our all-inclusive venue made it easy by presenting options instead of us having to search for vendors. The family that runs it built the space for their daughter’s wedding and still works together. She does the flowers, her brother bartends, and their parents oversee everything. They’re part of the Mt. Baldy community and cared for us in such a genuine way. It never felt corporate, and our day turned out even more beautiful than we imagined.
How did you find your wedding vendors?
We only looked at one venue: Pond Oaks. Mt. Baldy is our favorite place in LA County, so once we found it, we knew it was the one. The venue included most of the vendors in our contract, which made things simple. The only vendor we chose ourselves was our photographer, a friend of a friend who also did our engagement photos. She was amazing, especially at putting Abbey at ease in front of the camera.
What advice do you have for managing the wedding budget and expenses?
We kept a Google Sheet to track expenses, cash gifts, and how those would be used. Our biggest advice is to openly talk about money with your partner. The more you do it, the easier it gets. We discussed every expense before making a decision so there were no surprises. Decide together what matters most and what you’re willing to scale back on. For us, food was the top priority, while things like hair, makeup, décor, and outfits mattered less, and we were lucky to be aligned on that.
How did you approach the ceremony and vows?
We kept the ceremony short and lighthearted, with a close friend officiating. We chose funny, meaningful readings and Beatles songs for the processional and recessional to honor Abbey’s late parents. Lizzie’s parents walked her down the aisle, and Abbey’s sisters walked with her.
For vows, we kept it simple and short. Lizzie promised to always support Abbey, be her teammate, and keep dancing and singing together. Abbey shared how she once “manifested” her dream partner, how Lizzie exceeded every hope, and vowed to work each day to be the best partner she can be.
Talk us through the wedding day!
We wanted to spend the whole day together, so we woke up in our cabin, had coffee with family, and even joined an early hike with relatives before getting ready. Since we got ready together, there was no first look. Instead, we did family photos early and greeted guests as they arrived, which made the day feel relaxed and joyful.
The ceremony was lighthearted, with favorite readings, Beatles songs, and our families walking us down the aisle. A highlight was Lizzie’s toddler nephew running up during the reading, and the surprise visitors: two deer, a bear watching from the hill, and even foxes by the dessert table.
After mountain photos in perfect weather, guests enjoyed a Mexican buffet with tacos, elote, and flautas. Our first dance was to Otis Redding’s “Stand By Me,” and instead of parent dances, we chose a family dance to “Old Time Rock and Roll,” inviting our siblings, their kids, and Lizzie’s parents onto the floor, the perfect way to celebrate together.
Do you have any standout vendors who went above and beyond?
Our all-inclusive venue, Pond Oaks, made planning stress-free and truly personal. They handled the details, kept everything flowing smoothly, and made sure our guests were well cared for. We received so many compliments on how seamless the day felt.
The night before, we hosted welcome drinks at Top of the Notch, a ski lodge accessed by chairlift with incredible sunset views. To our surprise, the staff decorated with flowers, candles, and draped tables, then kept the bar open past our contracted time at no extra cost. Their thoughtfulness made the night unforgettable.
How did you approach traditions that don’t always translate for LGBTQ+ couples?
Abbey’s sisters walked her down the aisle since her parents have passed, and both of Lizzie’s parents walked with her. It felt important to honor her mom as an equal partner in raising and supporting her. At the altar, we didn’t worry about traditional sides and just picked what felt right during rehearsal.
Instead of a father-daughter dance, we had a family dance to “Old Time Rock and Roll,” inviting Lizzie’s parents, our siblings, and their kids. It kept the focus on celebration and joy.
Photography by McFarlane Photography
Florist Sweet Magnolia Designs
Venue Pond Oaks
