December 21, 2021

Classic and Romantic Wedding at Rancho Valencia

Grace and John’s classic, romantic wedding at Rancho Valencia has three things I love: a dog, mix match bridesmaid dresses, and a choreographed first dance. That’s a winning recipe for a wedding if I do say so myself. Rancho Valencia is one of my favorite properties to photograph and I was delighted to shoot there for Grace and John’s al fresco affair which was published on Style Me Pretty.

Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and groom in black tuxedo for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Getting Ready

The invitation suite for this wedding proved nothing short of stunning. The blue letterpress ink tied to the blue envelopes were incredible. I am obsessed with how beautiful those pieces are. You’ll see lots of blue woven throughout this wedding and each piece of it will be equally romantic and gorgeous. Guests were all given a welcome box that contained weekend essentials – all cute and practical of course!

Classic invitation suite with blue envelopes, blue ink letterpress on white paper, white ink calligraphy, envelope chinoiserie fantasy with skaters liner pattern design. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Welcome box gift items with topo chico mineral water, electrolyte mix, immune support mix, biscuits, and cookies. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Wedding rings in ivory and blue oval velvet ring boxes styled with pink and ivory and mauve roses. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride's pearl drop earrings styled in a blush ceramic dish with roses. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bridal bouquet with roses, sweet peas, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride and bridesmaids in linen pajamas. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride getting into her Carolina Herrera silk bow dress at the Hacienda at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride getting into her Carolina Herrera silk bow dress at the Hacienda at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in a Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with bridesmaids in mix match blue pattern dresses at the Hacienda at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in a Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with bridesmaids in mix match blue pattern dresses at the Hacienda at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Rose ivory boutonnieres by Plenty of Petals. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groom's velvet suede loafers and black bowtie with watch. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groom getting ready for the wedding. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groom getting ready in his tuxedo. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Dog on the morning of the wedding. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Ceremony at St Therese of Carmel

St Therese of Carmel served as the location for Grace and John’s ceremony. John teared up as Grace walked down the aisle in her beautiful cathedral length veil. The ceremony was special to the couple who would share sweet smiles with each other throughout the hour. Finally, the ended the event with a kiss and a proud walk down the aisle and out the doors where they were celebrated with hundreds of bubbles!

St Therese of Carmel in San diego. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride walking down the aisle at St Therese of Carmel. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groom lifting the veil off of the bride's face. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom during ceremony at St therese of Carmel. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom kiss at St Therese of Carmel. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom just married walking down the aisle. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom bubble exit. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Portraits at Rancho Valencia

A wedding at Rancho Valencia will always have a variety of portrait locations. That’s one of the reasons I love it. After we completed wedding party portraits, I took Grace and John on a photo tour around the property. Of course, we had to include their puppy Leo in a few of the shots!

Groomsmen in tuxedos for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon and bridesmaids in mix match blue print pattern dresses for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bridal bouquet with garden roses, pink -ivory - greenery, and ivory ribbon by Plenty of Petals. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groomsmen in tuxedos for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon and bridesmaids in mix match blue print pattern dresses for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon and bridesmaids in mix match blue print pattern dresses for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and cathedral veil with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and cathedral veil with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and cathedral veil with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon sees her dog for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and cathedral veil with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon. Groom in black tuxedo holding a dog. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and cathedral veil with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon and groom in black tuxedo for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Groom in black tuxedo at Rancho Valencia with rose and greenery boutonniere. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and groom in black tuxedo for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown with pink and ivory bridal bouquet with ivory ribbon for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and groom in black tuxedo for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride in Carolina Herrera silk v neck gown and groom in black tuxedo for a wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Wedding Reception at Rancho Valencia

The cocktail hour took place on the Sunrise Terrace and featured a beautiful escort card display with a large flower arrangement. Each card featured a real flower above the table number. Belly bars with grey printed linens and lush flower arrangements filled the space.

Escort card display with large floral arrangement with blue, pink, and green flowers. Escort cards with small pressed flowers. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographySunrise Terrace cocktail hour at Rancho Valencia with belly bars covered in grey botanical La Tavola linens and flower arrangements with roses. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

The reception itself was jaw-dropping. A large structure covered in smilax framed the head table, while a mix of long and round tables flanked the dance floor. Each table was topped with very flower-heavy centerpieces. The tables were so beautiful! During the reception itself, Grace and John performed a fun choreographed dance before hearing a speech from her father. They also danced with their parents and cut a beautiful buttercream cake. It was truly a glorious evening that I was honored to be a part of.

Croquet Lawn reception al fresco wedding at Rancho Valencia. Southern Smilax covering a truss over the head table with wicker back chairs. Cavin Elizabeth Photography and Lauryn Prattes
Croquet Lawn reception al fresco wedding at Rancho Valencia. Southern Smilax covering a truss over the head table with wicker back chairs. Cavin Elizabeth Photography and Lauryn Prattes
Croquet Lawn reception al fresco wedding at Rancho Valencia. Southern long table covered in light grey linen. Centerpieces with pink, peach, and ivory flowers with greenery. Cavin Elizabeth Photography and Lauryn Prattes
White prima charger and blue Sirena floral dinner plate with white napkin and silver napkin ring. Centerpiece with ivory and pink roses, carnations, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
White prima charger and blue Sirena floral dinner plate with white napkin and silver napkin ring. Centerpiece with ivory and pink roses, carnations, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
White prima charger and blue Sirena floral dinner plate with white napkin and silver napkin ring. Centerpiece with ivory and pink roses, carnations, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyWhite charger and light grey napkin. Centerpiece with ivory and pink roses, carnations, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyWhite prima charger and blue Sirena floral dinner plate with white napkin and silver napkin ring. Centerpiece with ivory and pink roses, carnations, and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Southern Smilax covering a large truss to frame the head table. Two tier white cake on a table covered in a grey botanical linen. Wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Two tier white cake covered in pink flowers and leaves. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Lounge with large white loveseat and wooden coffee table. Flower arrangement with pink, peach, butter flowers and greenery. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom grand entrance for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom first dance for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom first dance for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom first dance for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography
Father of the bride toast for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyBride and groom reacting to toast for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyFather daughter dance at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyFather daughter dance at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyMother son dance at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyCake cutting for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth PhotographyCake cutting for wedding at Rancho Valencia. Cavin Elizabeth Photography

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