On a gorgeous afternoon last May, after hours of rain and “a proper thunderstorm,” the skies cleared and the lawns dried out just in time for Megan Gaunt and Ahmed Modan to exchange vows at the rural Driftwood Lodge in Jenner.
The couple first met while working at San Francisco’s Belcampo Meat Co. and have both transitioned to careers in tech. They were married by their former manager from Belcampo, who has witnessed their relationship from the start.
The couple fell in love with the rural lodge and retreat center, which has a broad grassy meadow with miles-wide views of the Pacific — the ideal backdrop for the intimate, getaway wedding weekend the couple envisioned.
“We loved the Sonoma vibe and wanted a place everyone would enjoy traveling to,” says Megan.
Megan and Ahmed found meaning by including their family in the celebration, including Ahmed’s mother, who prepared a traditional Indian meal of butter chicken, biryani and samosas the night before the wedding.
“She’s an amazing cook — it fed everyone,” says Megan.
The morning of the wedding, Ahmed’s mother also adorned Megan’s hands with intricate henna designs, improvising the pattern to complement the patterns in her wedding dress. Ahmed opted for a bold white suit with a graphic design to stand out from his groomsmen.
“When else am I going to be able to wear an Alexander McQueen suit?” he says. “If she’s going to go all out for her dress, I wanted to go all out with my suit.”
The May ceremony included a surprise nod to the movie “Star Wars,” courtesy of Megan’s mom. “She latched onto the idea of May the Fourth and surprised us with light sabers for the guests before our first dance,” says Megan.
The unexpected touch injected an extra layer of joy and merriment as the dance party carried on into the evening.
Resources
Venue: The Driftwood Lodge, Jenner
Photography: Amy DeBonis Photography
Coordinator: Cala Larioni
Catering: The Cook and the Drummer
Rentals: Bright Event Rentals
Drinks: The Local Bartenders
Hair and Makeup: Brush The Salon
Music: Runaway DJ
Transportation: Pure Luxury Transportation
Restrooms: American Sanitation