Six years ago, Anna Camp met Tessa Brand on the set of what would eventually become an Oscar-nominated film called The Help. At the time, Brand was working as an assistant director on feature films, though she would move on and establish her namesake event planning business, Tessa Lyn Events, two years later.
The same year Brand founded her company, Camp was featured in a musical rom-com called Pitch Perfect. The popular film would eventually evolve into a three-part franchise, with at least one real-life love story resulting from the set: Camp’s own romance with her future husband, Skylar Astin.
“When I heard that [Anna] was engaged, I asked her to look through my portfolio,” Brand tells The Knot in an exclusive interview. “And she loved my work. That’s where it all started.”

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
The wedding planner meticulously planned and orchestrated the couple’s gorgeous outdoor ceremony at Sunstone Vineyards & Winery in Santa Ynez, California.
“The moment they stepped onto the property, they knew immediately that it was where they wanted to get married,” recalls Brand. “Sunstone Villa is incredibly romantic and it reminded them of Tuscany. From the reception lawn, you look over breathtaking vineyards and the trees on the property are incredible.”

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
The timing was impeccable too. “Ten minutes after we’d arrived, the sunset sealed the deal [for Anna and Skylar].”
That wasn’t the only added benefit. “It inspired our wedding color palette,” adds the expert.

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
While the venue offers sweeping views of neatly-lined vines, the bride and groom wanted to add an element of home to the outdoor space. Brand had vintage furniture — topped by pristine and plush white cushions — placed underneath an airy tent.

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
“We wanted the guests to feel cozy, like they were sitting in a living room,” she explains. “We transformed cocktail hour by using furniture from Pretty Vintage Rentals and built small cabanas to match our reception structure that the guests would see next.”

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
The couple embellished their reception venue with a pretty palette of pastel colors, including lush arrangements of pale pink and peach roses by Lotus and Lily Floral. Their wooden tables were lined with white Tuscany runners with Tuscany white napkins by La Tavola Fine Linen Rental.

Wedding planner Tessa Brand shares inspiring new details from Anna Camp and Skylar Astin’s nuptials with The Knot. (Katie Shuler Photography)
Carefully placed atop each placement setting was a menu printed by Wedding Paper Divas, while the pristine occasion was delightfully captured by photographer Katie Shuler, who was previously tasked with the bride and groom’s engagement photo session.
Along with the gorgeous visual experience, the couple wanted to create a comfortable-but-fun atmosphere for their guests. “Obviously, music was very important to them,” says Brand. “Finding the perfect band and DJ was key and took a long time. Blue Breeze Band and DJ Jon Brown both knocked it out of the park; The dance floor was packed all night.”

(Photo credit: Caroline Caldwell)
More than anything, the night was about Astin and Camp’s love for each other. “They’re so kind to each other, and they truly respect each other’s opinion,” Brand reflects to The Knot. “As a wedding planner, you get to witness many relationships — some good and some bad — and these two are truly meant to be together.”