Sweetheart Tables vs. Head Tables | Pt. 2

Posted on April 14, 2021

Royal Throne or Party Table?

Wedding planning can be exhausting, and one of the hardest parts is the seating chart. After worrying about where and how your guests will be sitting, some couples forget to seat themselves!

Choosing whether you want to sit close to your bridal party and family or on your own throne as wedding royalty can be a tough choice. The decision between a Head Table and a Sweetheart Table comes down to preference and logistics, but if you and your honey aren’t particularly swayed in one direction over another, here’s some detailed information about both options to help you decide.

In Part One of this topic, we discussed all the perks of a Sweetheart Table over a Head Table. Now it’s time to fully explore the benefits of this grand feasting table design to see if it’s right for you!

Head Tables: For Your Knights and Ladies In Waiting

As mentioned before, Head Tables can come with their own difficulties, but with an appropriately sized bridal party, they can be a perfect fit! Medium to small-sized bridal parties (4-10 people total, including the Bride and Groom) are what Head Tables are literally built for.

Photographer: Photo by Chana and Don, Florist: Splendid Sentiments.

Modeled After “High Tables” from Medieval Feasts!

Royalty kept only the most trusted people close to them at meals. Without getting too into the history, it was a matter of safety and propriety, which determined where guests were seated. So today, we seat those that the Bride and Groom want to honor closest to them for their friendship and loyalty in their lives. Usually the Best Man and Maid of Honor, these people have helped support the happy couple throughout their relationship and wedding planning mayhem. Placing them next to the newlyweds as a way to honor them give them the thanks they deserve seems only natural.

Photographer: Photography by Joshua Killeen, Florist: The Flower Shop Encinitas.

Family Matters

Family is an enormous part of weddings, and we wouldn’t want anybody to feel left out. Some couples stick everybody who was part of the processional of their ceremony at one table. Meaning the happy couple, the bridal party, all parents, and any other significant members all come together again, essentially creating an XXL Head Table. Here the love birds can be in the thick of all the fun, and surprisingly, it works out flawlessly! Their bridal party, full of people practically family to them already, is sometimes too big. It makes sense to be with them in the middle of the festivities. Your family and closest friends are all going to want to talk to you anyway; you might as well join them so everyone can be able to sit and chat!

Photographer: Vafa Photography, Florist: Haystack Floral.

Tired Of The Spotlight?

Let’s say you don’t particularly care for the spotlight 100% of the time, and you want to be seated with your family. We suggest trying a Family Table. Introverted and family-focused couples love this option, especially when so much stimulation over the course of the day gets to be too much. The extra support you’ll receive surrounded by those already begging at the chance to help will be a relief. This option is also smart for pinching a few pennies since you won’t need to order extra tables and decorations!

Photographer: Gipe Photography, Florist: Huntress Florals.

Now that you have all the information, good and bad points, make a choice!

Just remember to be true to what you and your significant other want.

Thanks to all of the amazing photographers mentioned above, whose pictures we used to make this collaboration, and all the Florists who help inspire us with these beautiful arrangements!

Bridal Party 101 | Responsibilities

Posted on March 18, 2021

in Bridal Party, faq, Updates

by lcr

There’s More Than Just Partying in the Bridal Party

Expected Duties, Planning, and Etiquette

Vee Taylor Photography

Whether you have tons of experience being part of a bridal party, or it’s your first time, we’ve collected all you need to know about the roles and duties that they come with. In general, the wedding party–meaning the people the happy couple chooses to stand up with them during the ceremony–is responsible for helping the happy couple plan, stay sane, and cheering them on during the big day. The wedding party’s most commonly known duties include taking photos with the bride and groom on the wedding day, planning special pre-wedding events like the bridal shower or bachelor/bachelorette parties, and helping the bride and groom get ready before the ceremony. They also usually have a special seat at the reception. We understand that every wedding is different depending on how involved family members are or how large the bridal party ends up being. So as a party member, always reach out to the happy couple to offer help!

General Bridal Party (Bridesmaids/Groomsmen/Maid of Honor/Best Man)

Each couple will customize their bridal party to fit their ideal group’s idea for their big day. It’s up to the party members to be available to help make the magic happen as smoothly as possible and offer their services in any way they can. Most couples tend to worry about burdening their friends with the planning details, but if you feel comfortable offering an extra hand anywhere, they’ll be forever grateful. Below, we’ve gathered the general responsibilities expected of all members of the bridal party.

David Manning Photographer

Offer to help with wedding planning and pre-wedding events.
Be knowledgeable of, spread the news about, where the happy couple is registered, when and where the ceremony will be taking place, and where to send gifts.
Help choose wedding day attire and accessories if asked.
Help the Maid of Honor and Best Man with details to plan the bachelor/bachelorette party.
Pay for own wedding attire and travel expenses.
Attend any pre-wedding events. (Depending on if they’re co-ed or not.)
Purchase wedding day attire and accessories promptly as requested by the couple.
Attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
Offer the happy couple and their families help and emotional support on the day of the wedding.
At the reception, help make sure everything goes according to plan.
Being social and helping make guests feel welcome.
Getting the party started on the dance floor.
Decorating the getaway vehicle to help give the happy couple a proper send-off.
Attend the send-off or post-wedding brunch.

Maid of Honor

Being chosen as Maid of Honor (MOH) is an incredible honor. Essentially, the bride is asking you to be her go-to for anything she might need, from engagement to the final send-off. Not only are you head of the bridesmaids, but duties also include planning the bachelorette party and being the bride’s right-hand woman on the big day. The bride usually gives this role to a sister or her closest female friend. Before accepting this honor, check out the duties listed below that rest on your capable shoulders. (Anything we’ve italicized is uncommon, although considerate, duties to offer to the bride but can vary depending on the situation.)

Singler Photography

Manage the bridesmaids and mediate any conflicts that may arise.
Maintain a level head throughout the bride’s wedding planning.
Oversee and keep track of pre-wedding expenses for the bridesmaids.
Help the bride shop for her wedding dress and bridesmaids’ dresses.
Coordinate any necessary bridesmaid fitting and ensure bridesmaids are getting their dresses and accessories on time.
Offer to address wedding invitations and assist with miscellaneous wedding projects.
Organize and host or co-host the bridal shower.
Organize and plan the bachelorette party.
Offer to help the bride pack for the honeymoon.
Make sure the bridesmaids all arrive at the wedding on time with everything they need.
Assist with the bride’s appearance during the ceremony and rehearsal. (Keep an eye out for smudged makeup or stray hairs and help her with her veil, dress, and arranging her train during the ceremony.)
Hold the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony.
Hold the groom’s ring during the ceremony if asked.
Sign the marriage certificate.
Give a toast to the happy couple at the reception.
Make sure the bride eats and drinks water.
Help transport wedding gifts from the reception.

Best Man

According to history, the best man was a groom’s kidnapping accomplice and willing to fight to the death for the bride’s honor. These days, kidnapping is thankfully off the agenda, but the best man still has many important responsibilities. Serving as the groom’s right-hand man throughout the wedding planning process hasn’t changed. He’s also in charge of wrangling the other groomsmen during wedding planning and on the big day. This role is usually filled by the groom’s brother or closest male friend. Below, we’ve listed some of the other duties that come with this title. (The duties in italics are optional and vary depending on the happy couple and their family’s traditions.)

Marissa McBride Photography

Help manage groomsmen and mediate any conflicts that may arise.
Oversee and keep track of pre-wedding expenses for the groomsmen.
Coordinate suit or tuxedo fittings for all groomsmen and ushers.
Organize and plan the bachelor party.
Offer support to the groom and groomsmen during wedding planning and on the day of the wedding.
Help orchestrate toasts at the rehearsal dinner.
Make sure all groomsmen and ushers arrive at the wedding on time and with everything they need.
Hold the bride’s wedding ring during the ceremony if asked.
Sign the marriage certificate.
Give a toast to the happy couple at the reception.
Coordinate with the happy couple’s parents to ensure all service providers have received the necessary payment and tips.

Other Party Members

Parents of the Groom: The Engagement Party and Rehearsal Dinner are usually the groom’s parents’ responsibility in Western Cultures. Depending on the cultural traditions of each family, this may change.

Parents of the Bride: As mentioned above, in typical western culture, the bride’s parents are the designated Wedding Reception Hosts. Recently, we’ve seen more happy couples become their own reception hosts, so this tradition of “who pays for the wedding” can be adjusted accordingly.

Vee Taylor Photography

Junior Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: Typically, junior bridal party members are do not attend the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties, but for young adults between 9-15, including them in the bridal party is a great way to get them involved in the big day. They usually stand up with the happy couple during the ceremony and are included in any engagement parties or co-ed bridal showers.

Ring Bearers and Flower Girls: This role is usually reserved for children between 4-8 years old, and responsibility for attendance and attire goes to their parents. It’s recommended to include them in the wedding rehearsal to get a little practice for the big day. Flower Girls traditionally walk right before the bride to scatter petals while ring bearers can be fit into the processional wherever the happy couple sees fit.

Final Notes

The responsibilities we’ve listed usually come pretty naturally since you’re there to support your friends in their love story. So enjoy the day, and always remember to offer your help wherever you can! Being part of this big day is a ton of fun! Planning a wedding isn’t for the faint of heart, and your friends will be forever thankful that you’re there to lean on.

Bridal Party 101 | Thank-You Gifts

Posted on March 3, 2021

in Bridal Party

by lcr

All the Key Players on Your Big Day

Plus, a bit of fun gift inspiration to get you started.

Not every couple answers the question of who gets a gift the same. With all the mayhem of wedding planning, it’s important to remember the little people who were there for you each step of the way. It’s best if you start with a list of the wedding party and family who’ve been instrumental in planning your wedding or offered support. Mark down gift ideas by each name to thank them for being there through the dress shopping, celebrations, and planning help. If you aren’t sure where to start, browse sites with tons of options, like The Knot Wedding Shop or Amazon.

Maid Of Honor

Bridesmaid wrangler, fashion expert, bachelorette planner, and the person whom you’ve bestowed the highest honor in your party. The gift you give your maid of honor should reflect the starring role she’s played in your life. If you decide on something traditional, like jewelry or a silver compact, personalize the gift with her name or perhaps a phrase or joke meaningful to your relationship.

Olive and Piper Primrose Studs

These chic, oversized earrings are great for your MOH to wear as a sparkly statement piece with their bridesmaid ensemble. They’re also versatile enough to be worn after the wedding to add some sparkle to a little black dress.

Best Man

He’s helped keep you from drowning in wedding planning details, don’t forget to show home much you care! Gift him something the two of you can do together, such as a day at the golf course, or consider a tried-and-true gift, like a personalized pocket watch or pen.

Cooler Chair

Buy on TheKnotShop.com

If your BM is less into the flashy stuff and more about getting out in nature, check out this nifty cooler! Beachgoers, tailgaters, and campers alike will make great use of this chair-cooler combo, and it’ll be part of many gatherings in the future.

The Bridal Party

Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are your ride-or-die crew, so we know you’ll want to find something they’ll love. Some engaged couples like to go ultra-personal and give each person on their wedding party list an entirely different gift. It’s a great idea for super small bridal parties, but for those groups of 20+, you can find something in “bulk.”

They’ll appreciate whatever you give them, so don’t stress about it! These days you can add customizations like nicknames, astrological signs, and monograms to just about anything. So, when in doubt, go for something utilitarian you know they’ll be able to use, like a customized champagne flute or beer mug. There’s always the jewelry-for-the-wedding-day route as well, but if you head down that road, try to write them each a sincere note to make your gift truly meaningful.

Bloody Mary Gift Set

Help your Bridal Party out by thinking about their morning on the day after your wedding. A hangover kit or this fun Bloody Mary kit sounds like heaven after a wild night of celebrating.

Personalized Yoga Mat

If you’re looking for a wedding gift for bridesmaids who never miss a yoga class, how about new yoga mats? Have them personalized with their names or a cute quote.

Family Members

Your family–parents and grandparents especially–have been your #1 fans since the very beginning. No matter who’s paying for your wedding, it’s essential (and customary) to present both sets of parents and grandparents with a gift. Some couples also include siblings, stepsiblings, stepparents, and anyone else they dub as significant to this list of VIF (Very Important Family). A night out at their favorite restaurant, a monthly service, or a sweet framed favorite photo are all great options, and they’ll feel touched you thought of them with everything else going on.

Get gift inspiration for the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, the father of the bride, and the father of the groom through these links.

Close Friends and Day-Of Wedding Helpers

Candlelighters, Church Ushers, Ceremony Readers, and guest book attendants tend to either be close friends (that aren’t in your wedding party) or younger cousins, nieces or nephews. If you’re close to your officiant, or you have a friend playing guitar for the ceremony, get something for them as well. A book, a nice bottle of wine, or a small piece of jewelry are all viable choices for anyone who’s a non-vendor playing a special part in your day.

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

This might be their very first wedding! For any kid under the age of 10, we recommend gifting them something that’ll keep them occupied during “boring” moments of a rehearsal dinner and reception. Think sticker books or crafts (like bracelet makers or coloring kits). You could even put together a fun goodie-bag for them, including parent-approved snacks!

Bloomsbury “I’m a Flower Girl” Activity and Sticker Book

Kids love gifts, and parents always appreciate something that will keep them occupied for a few minutes. This interactive activity book helps kiddos to understand what a wedding is all about.

Finally, Gifts for Each Other

With all of the surprises you’re planning for your friends and family (and the gifts you’re most likely receiving from others), don’t forget the most important person of all: your partner. These gifts won’t need extravagance; sweet and simple love notes on a busy wedding day mean the world. Whatever your budget or gift, you can never go wrong by including a secret engraved message to commemorate the day.

Bridal Party 101 | Wedding Day Wardrobe

Posted on February 25, 2021

in Bridal Party

by lcr

Bridesmaids

Always a Bridesmaid? Always best dressed! Let’s all take a moment to thank the Gods of wedding fashion for finally cutting the poor bridesmaids some slack!

Gone are the terrifying patterns, unnecessary frills, and–honestly–UGLY bridesmaids’ dresses that condemned sisters, friends, and cousins to entire days trapped in sympathetic awkwardness.

These days, Brides have changed their tune and don’t seem to be purposely trying to torment their Bridesmaids...in most cases.

(To each their own.)

The dresses tend to be slimmer, more romantic in style, and flowy. They’re cut for a much more flattering fit, subtly textured or patterned, even personally chosen by the Bridesmaids according to a loose set of guidelines set by the Bride. There’s a much more flexible understanding that not all bodies fit the same dress, which allows for so much more fun in the wedding ensemble planning!

Brittany + Chris | Madeline Barr Photography

Dress length has strayed away from the shorter cocktail style, opting for floor-length skirts that add a higher level of sophistication and can be tailored to be shorter later if desired. A big trend that came about a few years ago and has stuck around was the varying shades or textures of a single color. This creates a cohesive look instead of a copy-paste mentality and adds depth to photos, transforming a wall of fabric into defined individual people.

Devon + Collin | Laurie Ashley Photography

The new rule of thumb seems to be: if it looks good with the bouquet, it goes! In some cases, the Bride can choose to have her Bridesmaids in several different colors or varying dress styles that still fit within her idea for the event. This allows the group to personalize their dress and choose which shade and cut compliment them better.

Brittney + Alfred | Fleeting Fox Photography

There are so many colors, cuts, textures that can all be combined to fit a Bride’s vision for her big day! Ideally, everyone understands that what the Bride wants should be all that matters. This is why we will always appreciate the Brides who factor in their Bridesmaids’ feelings to their final decisions.

Groomsmen

We have to be honest; groomsmen get the easy part of this whole wardrobe process. A classic suit is hard to beat, and when a group of sharp suits gets together, there’s timeless magic that arises.

Julie + Adam | Mike Thezier Photography

Whether the suits are a traditional black, shades of gray, handsome blues–or even the newest craze in shades of green, the variation of suit style over the years has been minimal. The old saying rings true here. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Ginny + Michael | Singler Photography

Groomswomen and Bridesmen

Recently, we’ve seen more Bridal parties incorporate Bridesmen and Groomswomen in the mix. We’re all for it, and these party members offer a whole new range of wedding ensemble possibilities to consider! We’ve seen suits in the same shade as the bridesmaids’ dresses, dresses that match the groomsmen, tailored women’s suits to match the groomsmen, and options in between.

Abby + Jimmie | Chris Ellis Photography

If you’re lucky enough to be in this position, feel free to play around with the possibilities and see what overall look the happy couple is aiming for. It’s still a somewhat undefined area, so dare to write the rules!

Brittney + Alfred | Fleeting Fox Photography

Bridal Party 101 | The Grand Entrance

Posted on February 17, 2021

in Bridal Party

by lcr

Once your wedding ceremony is over, it’s party time! Kick off your reception with the perfect party-ready wedding entrance and song. Our Event Coordination team will direct you and your bridal party; all you have to do is decide what style of Grand Entrance you want.

Grand Entrance Order

Sydney + Kevin | David Manning Photographer

Like everything else at your wedding, which gets announced first at your reception is simply up to you. Generally, the wedding party is absent for a while after the ceremony. They’re all with the photographer while the guests are at the reception, eating hors ‘devours.

As the wedding party re-emerges, you can have your professional DJ announce special pairs, the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and/or the wedding couple. The order is usually very similar to the recessional, meaning whoever paired up to follow the Bride and Groom back down the aisle after the vows can be introduced together again. Typically the second-to-last people introduced are the Best Man and Maid of Honor. In the grand finale, everyone stands, and the happy couple is announced.

Sometimes couples keep it simple and only announce themselves, leaving the bridal party extra time to socialize during cocktail hour. Other times, they choose to introduce all the bridesmaids and groomsmen together. It’s all entirely your choice as a couple.

Processional VS Entrance Songs

Maddie + Matt | Vee Taylor Photography

Wedding entrance songs are not the same as processional songs. Processional songs play during the wedding ceremony. Entrance songs happen when the wedding party is announced at the wedding reception, usually at the end of cocktail hour. Nothing is off-limits during the grand entrance, so be sure to choose a song that sets the tone for the evening.

Song Choice

Julie + Adam | Mike Thezier Photography

Does the entrance song have to be boring? Absolutely Not.

The time for the traditional “Wedding March” is over. This is your party, so jazz it up however you’d like. Lighten the mood with something humorous or play a country wedding entrance song that both you and your spouse love. You can make it as upbeat or as traditional as you like.

Generally, the wedding party’s best entrance song has a good beat and lyrics that people will recognize. Try to stay away from songs that distract from the love message or talk about cheating. (It seems like an obvious rule, but you’d be surprised what comes up.)

How Many Songs Do I Need?

Ariana + Trevor | Davin Lindwall Photography

The short answer is as many as you like. But, generally, one song is long enough for up to 9 introductions. That could be the parents, grandparents, one to five sets of the wedding party, the best man and maid of honor, and the newlyweds.

(Get ready to do a little math.)

The average song is 3 minutes long. It can take 20 seconds for a couple to prepare and get from the entrance to their seats or the dance floor. As you increase the number of introductions, add on another song. A 3-minute song at 20 seconds per introduction roughly equals 9 introductions per song depending on how wild each one turns out.

Here’s an incredible playlist on Spotify, literally called Grand Entrance Songs for a Wedding (2020), with over 50 popular songs to choose from!

Bridal Party 101 | History

Posted on February 3, 2021

in Bridal Party

by lcr

It Takes A Community To Have A Wedding.

The Bridal Party is the Bride and Groom’s entourage chosen specifically because of their proven support of the happy couple. According to history, their duties have included anything from kidnapping to providing the bride with a dowry if the parents were disproving of the marriage. Here’s a couple of fun historical facts behind the wedding Wedding Posse– oops! Party**

Photo: True Photography

“Bridesmaids and groomsmen had to dress just like the bride and groom to confuse vengeful spirit presences (or real-life jealous suitors) who might try to harm the newlyweds.”

This tradition seems to have changed only recently! Nowadays, there is usually subtle differentiation between the Groom and his Groomsmen, but the Bridesmaids leave the white to the Bride. We’re seeing a larger variety in color, style, and texture in bridesmaids’ dresses as each wedding season passes. It just depends on the Bride’s preference!

Photo: Shelly Anderson

“In a time in which ‘marriage by capture’ was practiced, close friends of the groom would assist him in taking the bride from her family. They’d form a small army to fight off angry relatives so that he could escape with her.”

Thankfully this doesn’t happen anymore! Imagine women being kidnapped left and right out from under their family’s nose! (Talk about awkward table conversation at Thanksgiving…)

We understand why the need for the most important people by your side remains. Choosing the ones to support you, be that shoulder to cry on when you need it, can share in good times with you, are all top factors to your bridal party. At the Ranch, we’ve witnessed it all.

Photo: Maryanne McGuire Photography

“Ancient Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding, which is considered a precursor to the bridal party tradition.”

Today, Bridal Parties can be as small as two people and as large as 30–as long as the MOH and Best Man have some good organizational skills! We say the more, the merrier, it adds a little energy to the event as a whole, and you know the dance floor will never be empty.

Photo by Audrey Rynberg Photography

“The tradition of the ‘best man’ is thought to have originated with the Germanic Goths of the 16th century.”

“He was the ‘best man’ for, specifically, the job of stealing the bride from her neighboring community or disapproving family, and he was probably the best swordsman, too.”

Consider this, gentlemen: is your Best Man willing to fight to the death for your love?

Photo by True Photography

“In some early traditions, the groomsmen were called Bride’s Knights because they helped protect her—and her dowry, and her virginity—or because they assisted in her kidnapping.”

Photo by Muse Moments Photography

Kidnapping seems to have been pretty prevalent back in the day, but it’s not just the Groomsmen who are known to get into some mischief during the Bachelor/Bachelorette parties anymore. (Hollywood made a few movies about all that.) Although we would never promote kidnapping, we’re sure some good clean inner-party fun is still had.

Photo by True Photography

Thanks to all these fun Bridal Parties and the awesome photographers who captured them at their best!

We love seeing what each unique group is like and how the clients we’ve gotten to know so well fit into the crazy mix.

Photo by Jordan Galindo

As always, big thanks go out to the staff at Personal Touch Dining, who Coordinate, Manage, and cater to all these wonderful events!

To learn more about weddings traditions and their origins, check out these two articles:

’21 Surprising Historical Duties of the Wedding Party’ by Jen Doll

‘A History of Anglo-Saxon Wedding Customs‘ by Arden Ranger

Abby + Jimmie | Chris Ellis Photography

Posted on June 3, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Abby and Jimmie brought so much love and excitement to our Ranch!

Their romantic white wedding and spirited families lit up the night. Thanks, Chris Ellis Photography, for these stunning pictures that we can’t wait to share!

Jimmie and his half of the Bridal Party were the first to have their photos taken after getting ready in our repurposed Carriage House.

The front entrance of our Stables is a photographer favorite for its rustic whitewashed brick walls that add a fun juxtaposition to the sharp lines of a well-tailored suit.

Abby and her Bride Tribe started the wedding day prep in their hotel room before putting the final touches on at our Ranch.

Her dress was an exquisite blend of vintage elegance beading and a boho-chic cut with delicate flower details.

With loose waves and a crystal flower crown, Abby looked every inch a dream Bride.

Like a Queen in her castle, She glowed with excitement sitting in our vintage chairs as the final touches to her ensemble were added.

We always recommend a First Look over at The Stables.

It gave the love birds a private moment to see each other before the craziness of the Ceremony and Reception began.

A First Look is often the last private moment a happy couple got before they became Husband and Wife.

With the First Looks finished, the whole Bridal Party got together at our Cabana before the ceremony.

Large Bridal Parties like this are always the life of the party!

The ceremony on our Washhouse Patio beneath the shade of our majestic Pepper Tree was for Jimmie and Abby’s closest family and friends.

Small ceremonies like this sometimes offer that sense of intimacy a Bride and Groom want to reflect throughout their relationship.

Abby’s Father, Bill, officiated the ceremony.

Jimmie’s excitement is contagious in this picture, and we can’t get enough!

Finally, The Big Kiss!

This moment here is why we love what we do.

The “I Do” Glow is one of the best parts of these special events.

As the newlyweds went to take family pictures, the rest of the guests made their way down to the reception area.

There, Personal Touch Dining served fresh appetizers, made on-site, and craft cocktails to kick off the party!

Chris Ellis Photography took the love birds all over our event site for the perfect couple’s portraits.

The stunning floral arrangements, from the bouquets to the table centerpieces, were from The Flower Shop Encinitas!

We love the natural hints of pale blue in Abby’s romantic bridal bouquet.

After all the formal pictures finished, Abby changed into her party dress!

This Grecian-inspired gown looks comfy while still exuding classic elegance meant for a Bride.

For dinner, Personal Touch Dining served a hearty buffet, with food made fresh on-site!

They always make sure to include substitutions for anyone with potential dietary restrictions; all they need is a little heads up.

After dinner, guests enjoyed chocolate-covered strawberries from Personal Touch Dining for dessert and then danced the night away with Sound Prodigy!

We loved working with this incredible couple, and we wish them all the best in their bright future together.

Thanks to all the fantastic vendors who helped us make the magic happen for Jimmie and Abby! Special thanks go to Personal Touch Dining for the Special Event Catering, Coordination, and Venue Management.

Vendors

Personal Touch Dining

Photography: Jessica Wardwell and Chris Ellis Photography

Florist: The Flower Shop Encinitas

DJ: Sound Prodigy

Maddie + Matt | Vee Taylor Photography

Posted on March 26, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Inspirational DIY Boho-Chic Wedding!

Matt and Maddie had a gorgeous fall wedding here at the Ranch, and we loved all the intricate DIY details they incorporated into their special day!

These lovebirds were the perfect couple to get married here, and they were so kind as to answer some follow-up questions we had about their special day!

What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style, or color palette?

Maddie: “We were inspired by the bohemian beauty of Leo Carrillo and Southern California sunsets. We wanted our wedding to be fun, have a lot of texture and color, and be full of details that represented our guests and us!”

Maddie: “We incorporated a range of terra cotta, light pinks, and pops of yellow and white throughout, as well as palms and pampas grass!”

How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

Maddie: “We had such a blast designing with our amazing florist KO Floral Designs! Leo Carrillo is so effortlessly beautiful, so we wanted to just highlight and play off of the character at the Ranch.”

Maddie: “We wanted to focus our ceremony décor on the tree by using a garland with palm fronds and pampas grass.”

How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

Maddie: “Matt and I met when we were 15 years old in high school biology class! We started dating shortly after and have been together ever since! Fast forward ten years, and Matt decided to surprise me with a day of all my favorite things. He took me on a scavenger hunt around all my favorite places in LA and ended the night with a surprise in Malibu. We hiked to the top of a mountain and at the top, he lined the path with candles and rose petals and had a “will you marry me” sign, then he quickly got down on one knee and proposed!”

Tell us about your wedding!

Maddie: “At our ceremony, we included a wine box tradition, where we included letters to each other that we will read at our first anniversary, and replace every year to reflect on our relationship grew over the years.”

What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

Maddie: “We loved our ceremony!! It was so emotional and fun, and really captured our love for each other (we thought we wouldn’t cry…and we all cried a ton!)”

After this heartfelt ceremony, guests were encouraged to move down to the reception area for the rest of the evening’s festivities!

Personal Touch Dining worked in collaboration with the newlyweds to whip up some fun signature drinks!

Cam Ham Photo Booth delighted guests with their vast array of photo props and instant prints to take home!

Maddie: “We also incorporated a ton of DIY projects, such as:”

Our seating board
All of our signage
Our custom laser-engraved coasters with each guests’ name
Our table numbers
Custom dyed table runners
Our laser-engraved cake topper

We were in awe of this gorgeous and unique seating chart!

It’s such a personalized touch that makes guests feel special for seeing that bit of extra effort for them.

Every guest just needed to find their customized antiqued polaroid to find their seats.

Imagine looking up pictures for every guest!

Maddie: “For the reception, we wanted everything to look warm and blend with the sunset. One of our favorite décor items were our peacock chairs during our reception!”

The Grand Entrance, after some romantic sunset pictures, was immediately followed by the First Dance!

We love this shot by Vee Taylor Photography!

It visibly shows the tidal wave of love a Bride and Groom receive from their friends and family when they’re announced as Husband and Wife.

Always such a beautiful moment!

As soon as the Bride and Groom sit after their first dance, Personal Touch Dining offers them their tray of appetizers.

That’s when our Event Coordination Team plates-up their dinners for them, so they can take a minute to relax.

Maddie: “Matt and his groomsmen and friends also choreographed a dance for the wedding, and it was such an epic moment! It was such a fun and exciting part of the day, and our guests loved it!”

Bill Calhoun Mobile Music took over for the rest of the evening, always keeping the dance floor grooving!

This adorable Couple’s Cake had the customized cake topper mentioned earlier!

Personal Touch Dining made sure to have plenty of other desserts for the hungry guests to nibble on.

Here we see Red Velvet Cake Shooters, Cannolis, and Churros with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, all made fresh on-site!

What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

Maddie: “Ahhh – all of it!! Haha, we absolutely loved every part of our wedding, from our awesome vendors and décor to our fun-loving guests, to the music, and the amazing food – everything was even better than what we had envisioned! We had so much fun dancing with family during the reception and loved getting to sneak away for romantic sunset photos!”

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?

Maddie: “The advice out there is true! The day goes by so quickly, but you will have memories for the rest of your life. So, prioritize what will bring you and your partner joy as you celebrate the beginning of your future together! Having an amazing vendor team makes all the difference!”

There aren’t enough words to properly thank this gorgeous couple for including us on their special day!

We loved working with them and wish them nothing but the best in their future together!

Huge thanks also to our phenomenal team of vendors who helped us put together another dream wedding!

Special acknowledgment to Personal Touch Dining for their multiple roles and faultless commitment to our clients!

Vendors

Bill Calhoun Mobile Music

KO Floral Designs

Vee Taylor Photography

Reel Thread Films

Cam Ham Photo Booth

Personal Touch Dining: Catering, Venue Management, and Event Planning/Coordination

Invitation Designer: Bride DIY

Men’s Attire: Kenneth Cole, the Tie Bar

Dress Store: Ellie’s Bridal Boutique Alexandria

Jewelry: Bride – custom ring made out of family heirloom, Groom – Grandfather’s wedding band

Bridesmaid Dresses: Lulus

Dress Designer: Essence of Australia

Hair: Hair by Jordan

Makeup: Makeup by Nancy J

Lynn + Conor | Phil Chester Photography

Posted on March 18, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

From Las Vegas to Leo Carrillo Ranch!

A Love Story

Lynn and Conor were one of our sweetest couples, and we loved their decor inspired by our Boho-Chic beauty!

Lynn even took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about their special day for us!

How did you meet?

Lynn was on her first girl’s trip to Las Vegas. Conor and his MLS buddies were there for an off-season good time. The two groups met over bottle service and were inseparable all weekend.

Lynn- “Both of us also happened to be living in San Diego, which is where we started dating and fell in love coming up on eight years ago! We basically found love in the club in Sin City!”

We can’t get enough of these Satin Champagne Bridesmaids dresses!

They’re perfect for complimenting the warm undertones of our Hacienda.

Tell us about the proposal!

Lynn- “Conor proposed in the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. He got both families together to be there for the big moment. We were walking through the gardens, Conor got awkward at one point and was holding onto my shoulder for an uncomfortably long time. I asked him if he wanted to keep going, and he then got down on one knee. I kind of blacked out from there and have no idea what he said, but he eventually handed me the box, and I think I asked him if he was supposed to put the ring on my finger? Then everyone in the gardens (which was A LOT of strangers) started cheering. It was perfectly awkward, and so us. He then threw a little surprise celebration when they got back to our house with some of their closest friends and family.”

Tell us about your wedding.

Lynn- “Conor’s uncle was our officiant, and it made for the most beautifully emotional ceremony. We both wrote our own vows, which was a highlight for both of us.”

Lynn- “Another favorite little detail is the customization of Conor’s wedding suit. Conor’s father passed years ago and was not able to be with us in-person on our wedding day. With the help of his mom and a fabulous suit designer, I was able to have a love note Conor’s father had written stitched onto the inside of this suit jacket along with his signature.”

How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

Lynn- “We had a very sweet and talented florist, Wildflower Design Studio, who made all my ceremony, table setting, cabana plants, and wedding cake décor come true! She was basically responsible for [all] the beauty! We really wanted to keep a minimal look, so we brought lots of candles and not much else. As far as what we DIY-ed, we created the seating chart (do not recommend – formatting all the names, which was 185 for us, is soul-crushing and WILL make you cry), the place cards, signs, and the photos of family wedding photos in the dessert area.”

Personal Touch Dining prepared all the event’s food on-site, including these delicious sliders during cocktail hour!

How did you both choose your wedding day look?

Lynn- “I had a vision for Conor’s suit, and we found an amazing company in LA to design it. I wanted a terracotta, clay suit for him, and he slayed in it. For myself, I wanted enough glam that still let me feel like myself in a dress that gave me heart eyes. It was simple, comfortable, and felt like an actual dress versus a gown. Funny story, my strap broke halfway through the reception, and Kendra came to my rescue and sewed that baby back together while I was still in the dress!”

What was the inspiration behind your day?

Lynn- “Our inspiration for the wedding was a minimalistic yet romantic feel, with neutral tones. The venue was so gorgeous – we didn’t really feel the need to fill the space with much more. We wanted to showcase its beauty! Our goal for the wedding was for everyone to have full bellies and to overly indulge in the open bar and get their boogie on the dance floor!”

What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

Lynn- “Sharing our vows with each other and looking into a sea of adoring eyes during the ceremony still floods us with emotion. Our best man, maid of honor, and parents also gave some award-worthy speeches that made us laugh, cry, and all the feels in-between.”

After another spectacular dinner from Personal Touch Dining, the newlyweds cut their cake!

The feathers as a cake topper decoration were so unique and fun!

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?

Lynn- “Make it your own. Make it simple. Make it fun and playful. It’s going to be the best day of your life – as cliché as that sounds! We didn’t know we could even feel so many emotions until our wedding day. LCR (especially Kendra!!), made the process so easy and enjoyable for us. Choose your vendors as soon as you can and then spend the rest of the engagement enjoying each other.”

Lynn- “On the big day, pick a few moments where you come back to the present (so much emotion and adrenaline can otherwise make it feel like a whirlwind) and really try to look around at all the people who came there to celebrate and love you and absorb all the sweet emotions. For myself, I picked walking down the aisle with my father, exchanging of vows, and also during the reception while everyone was seated for dinner.”

Lynn- “We were thrilled we chose LCR. They made all our dreams come true, and all our guests still tell us it’s the best wedding and venue they’ve ever been to!”

We are touched by all the love coming from this gorgeous couple, and we wish them all the best in their bright future ahead!

Thanks to all the fantastic vendors who helped us put together another magical event!

We can’t do what we love without your dedication and excellence.

Special Thanks to Personal Touch Dining, who juggles all our Special Events Catering, Coordination, AND Venue Management!

Florist: Wildflower Design Studio (Now Closed)

Photographer: Phil Chester

Invitation Designer: minted

Men’s Attire: Knot Standard for the groom’s suit (style advisor Gage Minton)

Veils: Mia Bella Bridal

Dress Store: BHLDN

Jewelry: bracelet gifted from parents

Bridesmaid Dresses: Missguided

Catering, Coordination, and Venue Management: Personal Touch Dining

Hillary + Jacob | Chasing Light Photo and Film

Posted on March 4, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Soundtrack of Love

We loved working with this fun-loving couple and honestly enjoyed every minute of their gorgeous Wedding and Reception here at Our Ranch!

We reached out to the newlyweds, asking a few questions about their big day, and they gave us a list of all their favorite memories.

Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day?

Hillary: “The moment we arrived at the Ranch, we knew it was special. It was the first of four venues we toured, and nothing else compared. I envisioned simple, elegant decor with pops of reds, pinks, and oranges. The Ranch is so gorgeous. I really didn’t think it needed too many additional touches to highlight how pretty the venue is.”

Getting ready in the bridal suite, Hillary was a vintage vision in white, thanks to the help of her bridesmaids.

How did you both choose your wedding day look?

H: “I didn’t necessarily have a specific vision I just knew what I didn’t want… the gals at The Bustle in Del Mar were so helpful! After a long day of trying on what felt like a million dresses at a few other bridal salons, I described my preferences to the attendant. She pulled a few dresses and made adjustments based on my feedback. When I put on THE dress, she added the veil, and I started crying… something I certainly didn’t expect!”

H: “I knew Jacob would look amazing in a navy suit, and when we found “the one,” we knew we had to go with it!

Friar Tux suited up the rest of the groomsmen in the same sharp-looking navy suits to match Jacob.

We love the contrast of the red in the boutonnieres!

What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

H: “Definitely our ‘First Look’ and of course, saying ‘I Do’!

How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

H: “Jacob and I both attended the University of San Diego but didn’t actually meet until our junior year while we were both stranded at LAX waiting to depart for our semester abroad in Madrid. He officially popped the question six years later at Sunset Cliffs on a sunny December day. He had a wonderful afternoon planned with lunch and a sunset gondola ride on Coronado.”

Chasing Light Fotography knows how to capture all the priceless moments of the night perfectly!

How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

H: “We kept it simple. Allyson from The Love Sparrows hit the nail on the head with our floral!”

Did you personalize the day in any way?

H: “I’ve always been obsessed with photo booths, and the Can Ham Photo Booth fits perfectly with the vibe at LCR.”

After a private photoshoot at sunset with Chasing Light Photo and Film the Bride and Groom joined the rest of their party with a Grand Entrance!

Sound Illusions worked closely with the happy couple on the night’s music selection, and the First Dance fit these two perfectly!

After another incredible buffet dinner, the love birds revealed their sweet tooth!

A separate full Churro Dessert Station accompanied the Dessert Bar, which was all supplied by Personal Touch Dining.

What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

H: “We were super excited to get the party started and really looked forward to our music selection – we selected all of the songs for our cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. We got lots of compliments from our guests, which was awesome since we did take a lot of time putting the music selection together. Also, we were engaged for almost two years – we held out for our date, 9/21, because of Earth, Wind, and Fire. We closed out the party with ‘September’!”

Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?

H: “Using vendors who have previously worked at your venue is so helpful! Our DJ (Sound Illusions), photographer/videographer (Chasing Light), and photobooth (Can Ham Photo Booth) vendors were all familiar with LCR, which I think was a crucial part of having the day run as seamlessly as it did.”

“Also, the folks at Personal Touch Dining know what they’re doing – from the day of coordination to the food, our big day was perfect!”