Wedding Venues That Truly Steal The Scene

Styled Shoot
The venue becomes the muse for these creative and unique designs, from a modern warehouse and a renovated church to a Southern-inspired estate and a sweeping mountaintop.
Written by
Lara M. Burnap

Published:

California Wedding Day Fall/Winter 2021

Couples searching for classic elegance in an outdoor setting will feel their hearts flutter at the sight of Twelve Oaks Event and Equestrian Center. This new venue entry is set among rolling hills and leafy pepper and oak trees in the heart of Temecula’s wine and horse country. The center is anchored by a colonial estate surrounded by rose gardens and sprawling green lawns and dotted with fountains. Designer Michelle Garibay envisioned a Southern-inspired design enveloping hospitality and romance with warm peach hues and delicate flower-imbued details. Decadent oranges and soft blushes are woven throughout the design, from verdant floral arrangements and the playful cake display to the invitation suite and sweeping sweetheart table. Genteel Southern vibes emanate from the elegant tabletop, decorated with delicate mix-and-match china and abundant florals.

BRIDAL GOWN: Berta Bridal Couture from Lovella Bridal / CAKES: Laura Marie Cakes, AE Custom Designs (display decal) / CATERING AND COCKTAILS: Colette’s Catering & Events, Sweet! (edible escort cards) / DESIGN AND PLANNING: Michelle Garibay Events / FLORALS: Soiree Floral Design / GROOM’S ATTIRE: Friar Tux / HAIR AND MAKEUP: Sandra Michelle Artistry / INVITATIONS AND CALLIGRAPHY: Lavender and Sea LINENS: La Tavola Fine Linen, Hostess Haven (napkins) / RENTALS AND DESIGN: Jake Duke Studios PHOTOGRAPHY: Leah Marie Photography / VENUE: Twelve Oaks Event and Equestrian Center 



Warehouse venues such as Luce on Kettner in San Diego's Little Italy offer the perfect canvas for whimsical designs loaded with color and industrial vibes. This newly opened event space within a historic building features large, exposed beams, streams of natural light and a stunning backdrop wall of shimmering gold shingles. The venue’s blank slate provided Fetelle Designs with room to play, which is a plus for couples looking for unexpected design details. Flexing their design intuition, Fetelle’s designers took deep-rust-colored hues typically reserved for fall weddings and then gave the look a light, spring-inspired approach by introducing blush tones. The contrast of the two shades creates dimension for both the space and the florals, which are composed of peach, mustard and caramel carnations; rain tree pods; autumn rust spider mums; quicksand roses; Tequila anthurium; and bittersweet vine. The bold look succeeds in being both modern and elegant.

BRIDAL GOWN: The Dress Theory San Diego / CAKE: Heritage & Co. / FLORALS: Blooms by Brooklyn / GROOM’S ATTIRE: Friar Tux / HAIR: Hair by Kayti / MAKEUP: Elizabeth Root / MODELS: Savannah Kratz and Red Pale Media / PLANNING AND DESIGN: Fetelle Designs / PHOTOGRAPHY: Michelle Lillywhite / RENTALS: Adore Folklore, Catalog Atelier (tabletop) / SIGNAGE: Jen Simpson Design VIDEOGRAPHY: Allison Karlyn Films


The architecture of a venue's space and the vibe of a town often serve as creative muses for wedding décor. “Inspired by the train station, city hall and iconic clock in the middle of downtown Fillmore, we wanted to capture the feeling of a charming small town,” explains Annette Kirkhuff of Wheat and Honey Events. The Fillmore on Central, a recently renovated 1880s Mission-style Presbyterian church, is the setting for a refined reception featuring a palette of navy and amber. Simple clear glassware and white place settings allow the bold navy linens and rust-hued florals to reflect the colors of the surroundings, from the painted wood beams to the stained-glass windows. The courtyard’s brick fireplace is filled with candles and framed by an asymmetrical floral arch, making a stunning backdrop for the ceremony.

BRIDAL GOWN: JLM Couture Flagship Boutique / CATERING: Command Performance Catering / FLORALS: Unique Floral Designs / GROOM’S ATTIRE: Friar Tux  / HAIR AND MAKEUP: Cheek to Cheek Artistry INVITATIONS, PROGRAMS AND SIGNAGE: Fla-de-Dahs / MODELS: Aston Models / PHOTOGRAPHY: Katrina Jayne Photography / RENTALS: A Rental Connection, My Lovely Events / VENUE: The Fillmore on Central / WEDDING PLANNER AND DESIGN: Wheat and Honey Events


Nature is the ideal setting for creating a romantic and intimate ceremony. Whether you choose to elope or to share the moment with your nearest and dearest, California’s state parks, such as Marin County’s Mount Tamalpais State Park, just a skip away from San Francisco, are a breathtaking option. Mind you, it’s no small planning feat at these locations, because you’re required to bring in all rentals, florals and tents, but for those seeking nature’s beauty and bliss, their efforts fulfill their highest expectations. Mount Tamalpais’ golden light, expansive ocean views, endless rolling hills, along with the shapes of the surrounding boulders and trees, are reflected in the tabletop décor and florals. Thoughtful details that embrace the aesthetics of the environment round out the design, with textured linens, handmade pottery, earthenware dishes together with the organic cotton paper and design of the stationery creating a palpable richness. The floral arrangements look as though they were picked from nearby fields, providing a sense of luxury amid nature.







BRIDAL GOWN AND ACCESSORIES: Danielle Frankel from Jin Wang Bride, Joy Proctor for Bella Belle Shoes, Jennifer Behr (headband), Erin Cole (earrings) / CAKE: What’s More Cake / DESIGN: Sophia Goff / FLORALS: Unwritten Florals / GROOM’S ATTIRE: The Black Tux / HAIR AND MAKEUP: Christina Chen of Makeup by Quis / INVITATIONS: Dominique Alba / LINENS: La Tavola Fine Linen / LOCATION: Mount Tamalpais State Park / MODELS: Erin Marquez, Tyler Birkestrand / PHOTOGRAPHY: Pinnel Photography / RENTALS: Theoni Collection / TABLETOP DÉCOR: Leila Ray Ceramics, Lula Pottery