Brenda's Wedding Blog | Fresh Ideas for Creative Weddings
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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts tagged california weddings
An Intimate + Magical Day After Wedding Photo Session that combined loves of Disney + Harry Potter

Today's featured Day After the Wedding Photo Session with Leesha and Russell is filled with intimacy and magic.

It's a completely relaxed feel from the hustle and bustle of the wedding day. Get ready to be transformed to a place with the perfect blend of fairytale princess and Harry Potter whimsy.

Fairytale Themed Wedding Day After Photo Session | disney and harry potter inspired wedding photos | Wedding Photos from Laguna Beach, California / photo by Peterson Design + Photography

The gorgeous photos are from Marisa and Tim of Peterson Design & Photography. The couple had married the day before at Disneyland but wanted more photos that combined their two loves - Disney and Harry Potter. Their shoot took place at Victoria Beach in Laguna Beach and since they had a Tangled theme wedding this location was perfect. This beach features an old Victorian lighthouse type structure that was built in 1926 and contains a spiral staircase with access to the beach. Are you ready for lots of stunning photography inspiration?

Purple Bridal Bouquet with Paper Flowers | disney and harry potter inspired wedding photos | Wedding Photos from Laguna Beach, California / photo by Peterson Design + Photography

The scene was set with an elegant beach picnic that combined books, vintage luggage (for the trip to Hogwarts of course!), macarons with quiddich goals, and potion bottles. Paper flowers were made from Harry Potter book pages and there was a laser cut golden snitch. The newlyweds even had their own wands from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and champagne exclusively from Walt Disney World. All the hand painted details were inspired by the ocean setting and the soft color palette of the day after session.

Vendor Credits:
Photography, Paper Goods + Paintings: Peterson Design & Photography
Florals: Peterson Design & Photography
Paper Flowers: Anthology On Main
Design/Styling: Peterson Design & Photography
Golden Snitch: 3D Central
Table Top + Furniture: from prop collection of Peterson Design & Photography
Shoes: Converse
Flower Crown: SquishNChips
Macarons: Bolu Bakery (from Fullerton, CA)
Suit: J Ferrar

Eco-Friendly California Wedding Elopement in the Mountains {styled shoot}

Are you ready to head to the gorgeous mountains for a spectacular styled shoot? This eco-conscience photo shoot from Autumn Noel Photography features stunning views of a natural landscape. As Autumn writes . . .  "sheer rock mountains behind us, vast views of the Carson Valley in front, beauty was all around and our beautiful bride and groom fit right in". Keeping with the eco-friendly theme - this shoot showcases unique recycled paper invitations infused with wildflower seeds. A few seeds were even planted right before the vendor team left the location and the storm clouds were rolling in.

Wedding Vendors: includes handmade artists via affiliate partnership
Photographer: Autumn Noel Photography — Ring Dish: Beachwood Street Designs — Dress Store: Betty and Beaus Bridal Boutique — Invitation Designer: Botanical Paperworks — Hair Stylist: Carla Carillo — Makeup Artist: Carla Carrillo — Cupcake Toppers: Cork Country Cottage — Wedding Garter and Better Together Signs: Fallen Star Couture Inc. — Other Location: Hope Valley — Equipment Rentals: Tahoe Entertainer — Handmade Cookies: The Cookie and Crumb — Favors and Gifts: WildBloomerySubmitted via Two Bright Lights

Continue Scrolling for the Full Styled Shoot Photo Gallery

Other amazing features from this wedding are the beautiful vintage yellow chair that was a rental and other items from thrift stores. Many handmade items from small businesses were included and to continue their support for small business, the bride was outfitted from a local bridal boutique. Autumm wrote . . . "As floral arrangements aren't great for the environment we opted out and let nature provide the greenery for this lovely elopement."

An Elegant Rustic Wedding in California with Huge Oak Trees + a Mini Horse

Today's Real Wedding took place at the Santa Margarita Historic Ranch in California and is the one of the most perfectly rustic elegant weddings. The brides and groom say their vows in-front of large oak tree and then in the middle of a field have their photos taken by a single large oak tree. It's absolutely breathtaking - and so is the bride's wedding dress with all the layers of tulle. I'm loving the menu and stationery designs that resemble chalkboard art. Oh, and wait until you see the sweet little horse that came to visit the bride.

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: William Innes Photography
Floral Designer: Flowers By Laurel
Cinema and Video: Matrimony Films
Event Venue:Santa Margarita Historic Ranch
Event Planner: Tricia Dahlgren Events
Caterer: Two Cooks Catering

Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Rustic Wedding Styled Shoot with Baby's Breath and a Horse at The Bradford Ranch in San Diego, CA
I have a dreamy styled shoot to share with you today, which also happens to be the last day of March. Where did the month go? For me April means spring must be on it's way, so this shoot is a perfect way to welcome in Spring {officially}. Wouldn't it be wonderful to marry on a 150-acre historic ranch where each bridal couple has full and exclusive access to the property, as if they were welcoming their guests to their own home? That is exactly what happens at The Bradford Ranch where this photo shoot from John DeFiora Photography took place. Please see the end of this post for all the details on this amazing venue that's just 45 minutes from downtown San Diego, CA.

PS: I'm trying something a little different with this post and went with a 2 column layout for the photos so you won't have to scroll on and on to see all the images. You can simply click on any of photo you'd like and you will see the image fully enlarged.

The Bradford Ranch - wedding venue in San Diego, CA {150-acre historic ranch}

There's such a sweet history behind the location for this styled shoot, that I have to share it with you as you can have your wedding here. The Bradford Ranch {originally founded in the late 1800s by the Walker family} was taken over by Carole and Bob Bradford in the 1980's. They made the ranch their own by restoring the old houses and bringing the amenities up to date - along with added landscaping, a pool, and a full size tennis court. After Bob passed just a couple years ago, Carole "decided that she did not have to sit around waiting to grow old. Instead, she has continued to improve the property that her husband and herself made so beautiful together." Carole has decided to share it's beauty with others and is now offering the ranch as a new wedding and event venue in the San Diego area. The Bradford Ranch has several options for event spaces, allowing couples to choose spaces that fit their wedding style perfectly. There is a private bridal cottage that can be used as both a bridal suite for the Bride and her maids to get ready, as well as a honeymoon suite for the Bride and Groom to stay in the evening of their wedding. Should the couple decide to stay the night, they will be made a farm fresh breakfast in the morning. The new couple can stay the whole next day and relax while hiking, horseback riding, playing tennis, or just listening to the birds as they unwind by the pool. The ranch only allows one wedding per weekend and with it being so secluded from the city, there is no need to end the party early, or turn off the music by a certain time.

See more of The Bradford Ranch here

Wedding Vendors from this shoot include:
Photography: John DeFiora Photography
Floral Designer: San Diego Floral Design LLC
Dress Designer: Iselle Design Studio
Cake Designer: Lovely's Sinfully Sweet Creations
Makeup Artist: Grace Montano (The Doll Service)
Jewelry: Diamond Boutique
A Purple Beach Wedding Along the Coast of Half Moon Bay, California

You know a wedding is going to be a good one when today's couple {Nicole and Danny} says the "main goal for our wedding was for everyone to have a great time". Even the wet gray skies and a pesky garden cat couldn't frazzle the bride on her wedding day. This is such a wonderful reminder as we kick off another week. You're marrying your love, with family and friends with you and as they always say, everything else is just the icing on the cake {whether planned or not}. One of the super sweet moments of the wedding was when Nicole surprised Danny with his father's 25th anniversary wedding band during the ring exchange. This was a very special gift as Danny's father had passed away 10 years earlier and his mom gave her blessing to give it to him. And, the purple color for the wedding? It's Nicole's favorite color.

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Portrait Design by Shanti
Caterer: Cheat a Little
Floral Designer: Alena's Designs
Wedding Dress: David's Bridal
DJ: Soundwave Mobile
Ceremony Location: Coastside Lutheran Church