A heartfelt holiday proposal with a handmade wooden box made Christmas 2020 the best one yet for couple Nellie Ghazal and Doug Sutherland. After agreeing to skip gifts, Doug, a hobbyist woodworker, presented his girlfriend of three years with the box engraved with their names on it. Within it? The ring, of course. The Gardens of Castle Rock brought the couple’s rustic garden vision to life, showcasing their love for the outdoors. After their first look, Nellie and Doug shared handwritten vows and savored the special moment. “It really settled in just how lucky I was to be marrying such a stunning and amazing woman,” Doug says. Below an ethereal bower of wisteria, Nellie’s father walked her down the aisle. Doug’s 91-year-old grandmother was in attendance, as was his large extended family. Doug’s late father was present through a lit candle, a loving tradition at Sutherland weddings. Eucalyptus and greenery accompanied by white florals filled the tables, accentuating the pop of peach in their color scheme. After guests sipped on signature cocktails, played a few rounds of cornhole and flooded the dance floor, the newlyweds departed under a sparkler send off.
