Becky + Jared | Chasing Light Photo & Video

Posted on February 14, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Valentine’s Day Feature!

We saw the pictures from Chasing Light Photography of Becky and Jared’s wedding here at the Ranch and knew what we wanted to use for our red-letter Valentine’s Day post.

Framing the window in our Bridal Suite, the bridal bouquets from Flowers by Mae Mae welcomed Becky and her bridesmaids with their vivid coral and lush burgundy blooms.

Becky was super sweet and answered a few questions for us about her experience planning!

How did you both choose your wedding day look?

B: “For my wedding day look, I was going for a romantic vintage feel.”

Flowers by Mae Mae also decorated the ceremony space, and we’re in love with this bright burgundy tree decoration!

The flowers continued down each side of the aisle to thoroughly drench the patio in that vibrant color of love.

How did you meet?

B: “We met through a dating website in 2015!”

Tell us about the proposal.

B: “Jared proposed to me at a family gathering at my parents’ house. He had both of our families involved, and it was very special!”

Nick Weiss is a mind-blowingly talented DJ.

(Throughout the night, he played guitar and sang during the pre-ceremony, ceremony, cocktail hour, and then finally switched over to traditional DJ techniques for the rest of the evening.)

Becky looked so dreamy and beautiful, walking down the aisle!

While Becky stole our breath, Chasing Light Photography caught Jared in the throws of the moment.

It’s love like this that makes these two perfect for a Valentine’s Day shout-out.

What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

B: “Exchanging vows in front of our favorite people, our first dance as husband and wife.”

The Big Kiss!!

The bridal party had such a fresh take on a classic look here at the Ranch!

(We’re so used to seeing groomsmen in sharp black suits, and bridesmaids in light colors, that we were pleasantly surprised by this group switching it up and looking so good!)

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

B: “Romantic, simple, and a little boho was my inspiration for the day.”

The main floor looked perfect thanks to the hard-working staff at Personal Touch Dining who set all the tables and carried each chair down from the ceremony site!

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

B: “We wanted to incorporate as many personal items to the reception. I made my Grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies as wedding favors…”

(Who can resist homemade cookies?!)

“We had coasters made of our two corgis…”

(We love little personal touches like this for guests to take home! We know those cookies didn’t last past the end of the night.)

“…and we had a ton of photos of our parents and grandparents at the dessert bar.”

(This area of the Cabana is a favorite for couples who want to display memories of the two families coming together, loved ones who are with them in spirit, or pictures of their relationship history.)

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

B: “I’d say sharing our special day with all of the amazing people in our lives was pretty spectacular!”

Personal Touch Dining staff brought Becky and Jared appetizers to their Sweetheart Table, just in case they missed any during cocktail hour.

The talented Coordination Team also plated-up the love birds’ dinner, so they could finally sit and relax for the first time that night.

Personal Touch Dining also provided extra desserts for guests to help themselves to off of our dessert bar!

Flour Power baked up an adorable, and delicious, FunFetti-style Couple’s Cake for the ceremonial cake cutting.

Nick Weiss kept the dance floor rocking the rest of the evening as guests danced the night away!

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

B: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, the day goes by so fast, so try to take it in.”

“Enjoy every minute of it.”

We’re so honored we could be part of this amazing couple’s special day!

Thanks, Becky and Jared, for choosing our Ranch! Thanks also to Chasing Light Photography for sharing these incredible photos.

All the vendors who worked with us this day are fantastic, and we are always so appreciative of their hard work!

Finally, a special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for the Catering, Event Coordination, and Venue Management of all the Special Events at our Ranch!

Vendors:

Personal Touch Dining

Nick Weiss

Flowers by Mae Mae

Chasing Light Photography

Flour Power

Breanna + Daniel | True Photography

Posted on February 8, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

**We asked these newlyweds a couple of questions to help us navi-gate this post.**

They had so many beautiful details to share, we figured, “Why try to force it?“

So, we pass the mic to the love birds, Daniel and Breanna, as they reminisce about their wedding here at the Ranch!

**(What could goron?)**

How did you both choose your wedding day look?

Breanna: “Daniel knew he wanted a lighter colored tuxedo to stand out from the crowd while also fitting the outdoor, afternoon setting. He found a grey tuxedo he liked at Men’s Wearhouse and looked no further.”

Daniel: “Before she knew anything about what kind of dress she wanted, Breanna knew she wanted to wear white boots to the wedding. The dress was a surprise find from Anthropologie[…] Not expecting to find anything, she stumbled upon the perfect dress—comfortable, simple, elegant, and the last one was in her size!”

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

Both: “We mostly left the decor in the hands of Adina (we used Simply Adina Floral Design for all our flowers) to decorate the space with flowers and other plants. She did an amazing job carrying out our visions for the day, and it was a beautiful surprise on the wedding day to see what she had done. We also bought a few decorative signs from Michael’s and Hobby Lobby and bought chalkboards to write rules for the board games on.”

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

B: “Daniel’s most anticipated moment was seeing [Breanna] for the first time as [I] walked down the aisle. Of course, he hadn’t seen the dress before, only heard from everyone else that it was absolutely beautiful and perfect.”

D: “It probably seems silly, but I was nervous about having no participation in such an important part of the wedding. When I finally saw her coming down the aisle, with curled hair, light makeup, and an incredible dress with a floral pattern, she was beautiful far beyond my expectations. Obviously, I had nothing to be nervous about in the first place.”

Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment, etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

D: “Probably our biggest personal touch was in the music. We’re huge nerds for the Legend of Zelda video games, so we selected beautiful orchestral arrangements of two pieces from the Zelda series for our biggest moments. Breanna walked down the aisle to a piece called ‘Zelda’s Lullaby,’ and the music for our first dance, ‘Gerudo Valley,’ is also from that series. We took a couple of private ballroom dancing lessons, and our instructor choreographed an exciting Paso Doble full of passion. The music perfectly fit the occasion and provided a fun Easter egg for the few who recognized it. Those moments—the ceremony and the first dance—were absolutely our favorite parts of the wedding.”

D: “The ceremony was personalized in a couple of ways as well. Since Breanna is really close to her brothers, they stood on her side as bridesmen.”

B: “Daniel’s brother was also the officiant for the ceremony.”

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

B: “I’d say Leo Carrillo Ranch itself inspired several aspects of our wedding. While we didn’t adhere too closely to any specific theme or traditions, we embraced the outdoor, southwest desert setting and Spanish cultural influence of the ranch. For example, we felt dressy casual attire was best for an outdoor, summer afternoon wedding. Many of the flower arrangements were accented with succulents and blue thistles (our color palette was dusty blue and sage green, not too different from the ranch itself). Our first dance was a Paso Doble, and the accompanying music, ‘Gerudo Valley,’ has Spanish influences and was even written to represent a desert region.”

D: “Breanna’s most anticipated moment was the first dance. We’d worked hard on practicing it, and it was exciting and thrilling to be doing something so complex and elaborate. It felt like an encapsulation of who we were—it was the kind of fun adventure and new experience that we like to do with each other, and the music meant so much to us.”

How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

Together: “We met in our freshman year of high school at San Dieguito Academy. We shared many classes together throughout high school, and our friendship grew slowly but steadily. By the end of high school, we were best friends and finally started dating after graduation, with only a few months of summer remaining before we left for college, Breanna to UC Davis, and Daniel to the University of Chicago. We persevered through four years of long-distance and precious but infrequent visits, before moving to Boulder together for Daniel to begin graduate work in physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.”

“Having all but committed to each other long ago, Daniel proposed in June 2018. Breanna had gone home to visit her parents while Daniel stayed in Boulder, secretly preparing the engagement. He decorated the coffee table with tealight candles arranged in a heart and the dinner table with new napkins, a new tablecloth, apple pie from a local bakery, and a bouquet of flowers. Best of all, he adopted a fluffy orange and white cat; how could Breanna say no to that? The plan was to have a friend prepare a special Spiegel-family salmon recipe while Daniel picked Breanna up from the airport, but at the eleventh hour, the plan was ruined: Breanna’s flight had been canceled, and she would be coming back the next morning. With the new cat, Daniel knew he had no choice but to propose as soon as Breanna got home. As a ruse, he told her he had to work, and she would have to bus home. When Breanna got there, she was greeted to the aforementioned decorations and a trail of rose petals leading to the bedroom, where Daniel awaited with cat and ring. Of course, Breanna said yes and with perfect timing, for not a minute later did the tealight candles set off the fire alarm! Daniel made omelets for brunch and salmon for dinner. In the end, it was a proposal neither of us will ever forget.”

TL: DR

They met in high school and survived a long-distance relationship for four years through college, across the country from each other before finally reuniting in CO. Daniel’s first try at proposing, (like any true romantic, with all the flowers, candles, and a new cat for good measure) failed, because planes. Second attempt the next morning: success! But he set off the fire alarm.

Unforgettable.

Throughout this eventful day-wedding, vendors were executing moves behind the scenes in a symphony of flawless movements thanks to our fabulous Coordination Team.

True Photography was capturing priceless shots of perfect candid moments, while DJ Mike Hogan was a master MC and dance-floor wizard!

Personal Touch Dining served up amazing meals, and no guest left unsatisfied.

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

D: “I think it’s important to plan the wedding in a way that feels special and right to the couple. Don’t be afraid to deviate from tradition when you have a better idea!”

One Last Tip!

B: “At the wedding, ask a few guests to take at least a couple of pictures! It was fantastic to have True Photography taking such amazing photos of our event, and I’m so glad that we didn’t have to worry about capturing the moments and could just enjoy the day. However, afterward, it was hard to wait so long for the photos to be edited and finalized, so we’re glad that a few friends took photos by themselves. Those casual photos from friends helped tide us over until we got the full set of professional photos from the day.”

When we initially asked this happy couple to answer some quick questions, we never expected this kind of response!

They said they felt “honored to be the subject of [our] blog,” but we are the ones genuinely privileged to be part of your big day.

We’re so glad this magical day was everything they dreamed it could be, and we wish these two all the best in their bright future together!

Thanks to all the incredible vendors who helped us, but especially Personal Touch Dining for the Catering, Coordination, and Venue Management of our beloved Ranch.

Details:

Invitation Designer – Minted.com

Men’s Attire – Daniel wore a grey Vera Wang Tuxedo with a blue tie and cufflinks, all from Men’s Wearhouse. The Groomsmen wore a very similar grey Joseph Abboud tuxedo. Groomsmen ties, tie clips, and cufflinks were groomsmen gifts from TealsPrairie on Etsy.

Dress Store – Anthropologie

Jewelry – Rings from Cronin Jewelers (in Boulder, CO) and Breanna wore earrings from her mother.

Bridesmaid Dresses – David’s Bridal and Nordstrom

Dress Designer – BHLDN

Vendors:

True Photography

Personal Touch Dining

Mike Hogan (DJ)

Simply Adina Floral Design

Anna + Doug | Astray Photography | Featured on Lovely Day Journal!

Posted on January 7, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Our Ranch was featured on Lovely Day Journal!

The amazingly talented Astray Photography shared pictures from Doug and Anna’s special day with us,

and this gorgeous bohemian dream needs to be shared with the world!

Anna and Doug looked incredible against our historic white wall and terracotta backdrop.

They chose to accentuate their coral tones with soft neutrals, and the Hacienda Patio is the perfect place to show off that dynamite color combination!

Ruby Bloom decorated the whole Ranch with this color pallet in mind, and everything inch looked incredible.

We cannot get enough of Anna’s stunning gown; it looks like it was made with all her true spirit and grace in mind!

For all of Anna’s flowing soft lines, Doug was her perfect match with his sharp, handsome masculinity in his dark suit.

He and his groomsmen had a blast “getting ready” in our carriage house.

A quick First Look and the Love Birds were off to explore the grounds before the ceremony and night’s events officially started.

Guests were encouraged to sign the happy couple’s guest book, a Jenga piece, and write a small note (if they wanted) before sitting down for the ceremony.

After the “I Do’s,” guests helped themselves to a tasty beverage or appetizer from Personal Touch Dining!

Drink in hand, they cruised around the grounds, played some lawn games, and checked out pictures in the Cabana by our reflection pool.

The Newlyweds took this chance to escape for another photoshoot opportunity, now officially as husband and wife!

Their Grand Entrance and First Dance welcomed everyone onto the dancefloor with them so their loved ones could be close during that special moment.

Personal Touch Dining served up one of our favorite menus here at the Ranch: The Taco Bar!

A little bit of spicy from dinner was expertly topped off with some sweet as the perfect way to finish off the night.

Guests helped themselves to a wide range of desserts from the dessert station on our Cabana bar.

DJ Mike Hogan took the reigns for the rest of the evening and kept the dance floor rocking in between fun traditions such as the bouquet and garter toss.

We so enjoyed working with Anna and Doug on their big day!

We appreciate them choosing us to share all these priceless memories with and wish them all the best in their future together.

If you’d like to see the post from Lovely Day Journal or Astray Photography’s Blog Post, check out the links below!!

Both sites have wonderful interviews with Anna and Doug that are absolutely precious, and hold some great tips for future couples!

Article links!

Lovely Day Journal Article

Astray Photography Blog

Day of Vendors:

DJ: Mike Hogan

Florist: Ruby Bloom

Photographer: Astray Photography

Catering: Personal Touch Dining

Amber + Tyler | Gipe Photography

Posted on January 3, 2020

in Updates

by lcr

Broody Beauty in Boho-Chic

Tyler and Amber chose to explore all the rich jewel tones for their special day, and we love the full range of colors and dress styles the Bridesmaids chose!

Tyler’s Groomsmen looked dashing in their matching Navy suits and Burgundy ties.

Standing out in the crowd is Tyler with his sharp slate suit and cheeky maroon bowtie!

A Wedding and Event Flower Company blew us away with their floral arrangements all over our Ranch to add a burgundy splash of romance to the focal points of the evening.

The ceremony was out in front of the Hacienda, where their large guest count had no problem seeing the main event right at our front door!

Nick Weiss was back at it with his melodious voice, serenading excited guests and looking right at home here at our Ranch!

Looking radiant and ready to start the rest of her life with the man of her dreams, Amber gazes at Tyler…

…and he can barely contain himself!

Gipe Photography caught this priceless moment of such raw emotion.

(Who’s chopping onions in here?? We’re not crying; you’re crying!)

There was laughter, tears, and in the end, they said their “I Do’s” and walked back down the aisle hand in hand as husband and wife!

A Wedding and Event Flower Company decorated their gorgeous ceremony arch and aisle with whistful, romantic, eye-catching floral arrangements that doubled as decorations at the Sweetheart table later that night!

SD Photo Bus entertained guests during cocktail hour and into the rest of the night with their eclectic assortment of props and costume pieces!

Guests are always charmed by the fun, retro-vintage vibe of this repurposed photo bus.

For each table, Tyler and Amber had a polaroid photo of meaningful places they’ve shared throughout their relationship.

It makes us want to pick up and do some traveling of our own!

The sweetheart table was illuminated by over a dozen candles, warmly casting their glow on the newlyweds and the gorgeous floral arrangements from A Wedding and Event Flower Company.

This talented company also built each table centerpiece to frame the pictures of the happy couple on each table!

Personal Touch Dining dished up a mouth-watering Mexican inspired Taco Bar buffet for dinner!

Carnitas and Pollo Asado Tacos paired with Chilli Verde, Cilantro Lime Rice, Spicy Pinto Beans, and a Spicy Spinach Salad makes for the perfect spread here at the Ranch!

They also provided all the trimmings for the dessert bar/station.

White and Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Cinnamon, and Sugar Crusted Churro Shooters with Chocolate Sauce, Peach, and Apple Pie, Lemon Bars, and some assorted flavors of Donut Holes covered every square inch of the bar top!

DJ Nick Weiss does a lot more than sing and play guitar!

He kept the party going for the rest of the evening as guests were provided glow sticks by the Bride and Groom to help dance the night away!

Gipe Photography caught one last shot of the happy couple as their friends and family sent them off beneath a cloud of bubbles!

Bubble Guns are such a cleverly fun way to take the perfect idea to the next level!

Thanks to all our amazing vendors who helped us make the magic happen yet again!

Vendors:

DJ: Nick Weiss

Florist: A Wedding and Event Flower Company

Photographer: Gipe Photography

Photo Bus: SD Photo Bus

Catering: Personal Touch Dining

Jessica + Mike | Studio 7 Photography

Posted on November 26, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

Family First, and Love Always

Jessica and her bridesmaids had a ball in our Bridal Suite putting on the final touches before the ceremony.

Laughter was ringing off the historic vaulted ceilings and could be heard all the way do to the reception area!

Instead of a First Look with her soon-to-be-husband, Jessica arranged the special surprise for her Father!

There were no dry eyes in a thirty-foot radius as she tapped his shoulder, and he got to see his daughter as a Bride.

In the Groom’s Room, Mike helped their son, Maverick, clean up for the big event!

Just like his son, Mike looked so sharp in a navy blue suit!

Lining up for the ceremony, Studio 7 Photography caught the ringbearer contemplating the depth of his responsibility.

Reunited at last, the love birds were overjoyed to finally tie the knot!

This patio is highly flexible, feeling like the perfect size for these smaller ceremonies as well as the big ones!

We’re in love with this fresh new angle the photographer used.

With the heartfelt vows finished, Mike and Jessica said their “I Do’s” and it was official: they were pronounced husband and wife!

Snowberry Studio was the mastermind behind Jessica’s stunning bohemian inspired white bouquet.

With plenty of space to entertain, cocktail hour was down at our main reception area where guests could eat, drink, and explore the grounds.

Personal Touch Dining provided all the place-settings and helped set up each table with their keen eye for details.

Snowberry Studio had a field day–pun intended– setting up the centerpieces with fresh wildflowers and loads of fragrant eucalyptus just like the kinds that grow naturally here at the Ranch!

We love this eclectic assortment of delicate vases too.

Each guest received a personal-sized bottle of hot sauce as their wedding favor, along with a sweet message from the grateful Bride and Groom.

Inside our quaint Cabana, every flat surface held a photo or memorable decoration from a family member of the Bride and Groom.

Such sweet sentiments and happy memories fit perfectly displayed in this space.

After some family photos with Studio 7, the newlyweds were ready to rejoin the party with a Grand Entrance.

We love this perspective from behind Mike and Jessica. It reminds us that these two have chosen to weather whatever the future decides to throw at them, together.

Studio 7 also provided a photo booth for the night and everybody had a blast posing in some funky accessories with silly signs!

The night flew by and when it was finally time to cut the cake, the sweet little personal cake from Flour Power looked almost too cute to eat!

Personal Touch Dining provided the rest of the desserts for the dessert bar and every variety of sweet was available for guests to taste!

We’re sure the future has nothing but adventure and unlimited possibilities for this gorgeous couple.

From all of us here at the Ranch, we wish them nothing but the best.

Thanks to all the talented vendors who helped us make another magical moment!

We can’t do what we love without your continuous commitment to excellence.

Vendors:

Personal Touch Dining: Catering, Coordination, and Venue Management

The Groove: DJ

Snowberry Studio: Florist

Studio 7: Photographer

Amy + Sean | Harmony Haft | Historic Leo Carrillo Ranch Weddings

Posted on October 10, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

All In The Details, Darling!

Amy and Sean had some of the most thoughtful personal details planned out for their big day here at our beloved Ranch!

For example, don’t miss Amy’s dress with the tiny bits of antique lace intermixed in the layers of her skirt.

Their custom-built ring box, plucked from a fairy forest floor, enchanted us!

One of our favorite little details were the wine bottles meant for messages instead of a sign-in book!

Each of the six bottles had custom-printed labels for a specific occasion in the future.

When those events came around, the love birds would uncork the bottles and read the well-wishes from their family and friends.

So thoughtful and unique!

Down the ceremony aisle, vibrant floral arrangements from Snowberry Studios framed the scene for the main event!

This bridal party had a couple of quirky details as well.

Amy had a Bridesman, and Sean had a Groomswoman!

What’s a flower girl without a flower crown?

This tiny wreath-decked angel stole the hearts of every guest!

After the heartfelt ceremony, guests were encouraged to enjoy the cocktail hour hosted by Personal Touch Dining.

This gorgeous rustic-chic seating chart perfectly displays the luxurious and romantic motif the happy couple sought!

Don’t think we missed the gold flatware and glass chargers.

We love it when couples take the extra time to think about their tablescape!!

To go with their rustic-chic look, Amy and Sean brought in The Photobus to keep guests busy with pictures and wild props throughout the night.

DJ Nick Weiss transitioned effortlessly from singing and playing guitar for the ceremony to rocking the main dance floor.

Everyone in attendance was lucky enough to witness another one of Leo Carrillo Ranch’s spectacular sunsets, with an extra twist!

The clouds parted and revealed a double rainbow, which made for some one-in-a-lifetime pictures snagged by Harmony Haft Photography.

We’re so excited for these two and their bright future ahead of them!

Honored that they chose to celebrate with us, we wish them all the best.

Thanks to all the vendors who helped this event run so smooth!

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for the Venue Management, Event Coordination, and Catering of all our special events!

List of Vendors:

Harmony Haft Photography

Snowberry Studios: Florist

Nick Weiss: DJ

Personal Touch Dining: Catering, Coordination, Venue Management

The Photobus: Photo Booth

Loren + Nano | Ashley Gabrielson Photography | Leo Carrillo Ranch Weddings

Posted on October 2, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

Come with us on a journey through a rustic, wild Ranch Wedding!

Ashley Gabrielson, of AshGabes Photography, caught Loren looking incredible with her vintage-inspired dress in our Bridal Suite with all of its antique splendor!

She and her band of beautiful bridesmaids rocked the “mismatched” look, we love the romper pantsuit!

Johnathan, who goes by Nano, followed the ladies and also had his groomsmen in mismatching suits!

The happy couple chose to have a First Look in the Hacienda!

The ceremony out on the Wash House Patio was heartfelt, romantic, and had everyone rolling with laughter.

When the love birds finally sealed their vows with a kiss, the area went wild!

Almost too wild!

Our peacocks are always trying to crash the party, nothing stands between them and a good time.

Don’t mind us, we’ll just keep basking in this “I Do” glow!

Always one of the best parts of these days.

A quiet moment alone after the ceremony is a chance for the happy couple to catch their breath after the rush.

But you’re never alone for long with friends like these!

The groomsmen wanted to show Nano their support of his choice in Loren.

The ladies were all so excited, they could tell Nano was the right guy for their bestie.

The floral arrangements for each bridal party member and the table centerpieces were all from Kendra’s Floral Design.

These frosty proteas are gorgeous, and quickly gaining popularity with our rustic weddings for their desert vibe.

Guests welcomed these two onto the dance floor for their first, but nobody was prepared for their surprise dance routine!

Sound Prodigy is one of our favorite party-savvy vendors to work with.

DJ Pat knows how to keep the dance floor busy all through the night!

For dessert, Nano and Loren asked the ever-talented Personal Touch Dining to make some of their famous churros!

Freshly fried on-site, the churro station comes with whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate syrup to put even the most resilient sweet tooth to rest.

This group was so much fun to host here at The Ranch.

We adored working with Loren and Nano, and we wish them nothing but the brightest joy in their future together!

Thanks to all the amazing vendors who helped us pull off yet another fantastic event!

Special thanks, as always, goes to Personal Touch Dining for the coordination, venue management, and catering of all our special events.

Sound Prodigy: DJ Pat

Kendra’s Floral Design

Ashley Gabrielson Photography

Personal Touch Dining: Catering

Madison + Michael | Tayler Ashley Photography | Leo Carrillo Ranch

Posted on September 9, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

Hallmark, Eat Your Heart Out!

We don’t think you’re ready for the limitless amount of cuteness that is Maddy and Mike’s wedding and reception here at the Ranch.

These childhood sweethearts are the real-life inspiration for every sappy guilty pleasure rom-com we’ve watched.

In fact, their story was almost too perfect!

We were checking behind corners all day in hopes of finding a Hallmark Channel hidden camera somewhere.

Forget Romeo and Juliet, let’s all re-vamp the definition of a love story and aspire to be Mike and Maddy.

Tayler Ashley Photography did such a phenomenal job of capturing the feel of the day: breezy, sunny, warm, and full of sheer joy.

Evermore Floral was the genius behind the day’s floral arrangements, and Maddy’s Romantic Vintage vision was made real in this white rose masterpiece.

After their first look, the happy couple exchanged gifts and enjoyed a quiet moment together before the whirlwind of wedding fun swept them off their feet.

Tayler Ashley Photography took time with the whole bridal party, exploring the grounds and finding the best spots for these fantastic pictures.

The Stables offered some of the best pictures for both groups, with its iconic blue door and shaded alcove perfectly out of the sun.

This crew had a blast during this little photoshoot, and kept all of us laughing throughout the night!

Evermore Floral also worked their magic on our Wash House Patio Ceremony Site.

These breathtaking aisle markers doubled as the Sweetheart Table decorations after the nuptials.

As guests walked into the ceremony area, they were ushered in by Personal Touch Dining who provided refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Coolers as a welcome cocktail.

On the Welcome Table, friends and family could sign in, drop off gifts, and read the diary entry made by a tiny hopefull Madison long, long ago.

Cue the waterworks

If we’ve got any Boy Meets World fans out there, you’d know what we mean when we call them a “Corey and Topanga.”

These two grew up going to middle and high school together, were friends for years,

and first started dating right before Mike graduated high school–much to the surprise of their families!

And so began the love story.

(Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for! )

As they were pronounced as Mr. and Mrs. to a round of tears, laughter, and cheers, we couldn’t help but feel included in the contagious excitement!

As the love birds went to take more pictures, and guests were encouraged to enjoy the cocktail hour.

Folklore Vintage Rentals had a stunning lounge area set up for guests to relax as they watched the lawn games.

Personal Touch Dining staff expertly set the dining tables while in collaboration with Evermore Floral and Folklore Vintage Rentals.

The result was this exquisitely dreamy tablescape!

The Photo Bus was ready and waiting for revelers who wanted to add their best pictures to the newly-weds’ guest book.

Personal Touch Dining continued to serve delicious cocktails throughout the night and made sure to pass out the adorable custom koozies from the bride and groom.

After a lively grand entrance and loving first dance, Andy from The Groove encouraged the guests to join Maddy and Mike on the dance floor just before toasts.

Personal Touch Dining served dinner soon after, and the buffet was magnificent as always.

They never cease to impress!

To finish the formal events of the night on a sweet note, Maddy and Mike cut their cake together.

The Groove took over for the rest of the night and kept the dancefloor rocking as guests grabbed foam light-up wands to light up the night!

These wands also doubled as perfect tunnel-building tools and the grand exit transformed into a colorful trip into the future for the bride and groom.

We could not be happier or more in love with this love story.

We are beyond honored that these two wanted us to be a part of their special day, and we wish them a lifetime of wedded bliss.

Thanks to all the fantastic vendors who help us make these magic moments happen.

We couldn’t do it without help from you all!

A special thanks, as always, goes out to Personal Touch Dining for Coordinating, Managing, and Catering all of our special events here at the Ranch.

Lindsey + John | Meurer Image Photography | Leo Carrillo Ranch

Posted on July 29, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

Love the Earth as You Would Each Other

These two Earth-conscious love birds didn’t let the craziness of wedding planning distract them from their constant efforts to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Lindsey and her Bridesmaids looked so elegant in their color-coordinated gowns!

We love the depth of this option for dresses offers through pictures.

John and his Groomsmen also looked very sophisticated in their dark blue suits.

The wedding colors were prominent, but not overdone, resulting in a very tasteful presence.

The centerpieces and other floral arrangements from Cherry Blossom Floral Designs had a magnificent pure beauty and grace.

The Farm Tables the happy couple chose to go with looked like they belonged in our large open dining area!

All the tables needed for decoration were eucalyptus runners and some classic lanterns for the centerpieces!

We love the idea of having the Mason Jar water glasses; it adds a playful feeling to an otherwise traditional motif.

For their wedding favors, each guest received an aluminum engraved reusable straw.

This gift was perfect for Lindsey and John’s Earth-friendly lifestyle.

These two are just the sweetest.

During their first dance, their love could be felt by the whole party.

For dinner, Personal Touch Dining served food from four different food stations where guests could choose the dishes they preferred, or have all four!

(Between Herbed Chicken Roulade, Fresh Grilled Quesadillas, Short Ribs with Waffle Fries, and Salmon with a Coconut Curry Sauce everyone went home more than well-fed.)

Have we mentioned our iconic sunsets?

Not to sound too biased, but they’re some of the best in San Diego.

So we’re thrilled Meurer Image Photography helped prove us right!

Flour Power provided a dainty cake topped for Lindsey and John to cut together

which Personal Touch Dining helped supplement with a fantastic Ice Cream Sundae Station accompanied by a mountain of incredible topping choices!

Thank you, John and Lindsey, for choosing our beloved Ranch to spend your special day!

Your love for each other and the Earth is a shining example of what our futures could be if we put our hearts into it.

Thanks to all of the vendors for the hard work and excellent professionalism as always!

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining for Managing, coordinating, and Catering all our events.

DJ: Nick Weiss

Florals: Cherry Blossom Floral Designs

Photo: Meurer Image Photography

Food and Coordination: Personal Touch Dining

Cake: Flour Power

Carly + Albert | Swan Photography | Southern California Event Venues

Posted on July 9, 2019

in Updates

by lcr

South African Ranch Recreation!

Albert and Carly were a wonderful couple who brought an impressive number of their guests all the way from South Africa!

Carly and her Bridesmaids finished getting ready in our welcoming little bridal suite…

…and then went exploring with Swan Photography, a destination wedding photography husband and wife team, to find some priceless photo-op. spots!

All of the gorgeous floral arrangements were from the talented Flowr Box Designs and we love those bright pops of fuschia and peach!

The Groomsmen also got ready separately here at our Ranch and the photographers coordinated to make sure the Bride and Groom couldn’t sneak any peeks of each other before the ceremony!

These guys kept us all in stitches and the whole day was bursting with love and laughter.

The Ceremony was serenaded by the melodious Nick Weiss, one of our favorite DJs here at the Ranch, and he couldn’t have looked more at home!

Gotta make sure we included “The Glow” or “We Did It” shot!

This thoughtful and fun customized sign from Carly and Albert had some very important translations to make sure there were no language barriers during the rest of the festivities!

Here we see more of Flowr Box’s magic down at the reception site!

The dining area had a simple layout and a clean and soft tablescape with lots of cornflower blue and white.

Carly looks stunning poised in front of our beautiful bougainvillea.

After an adorable and lively first dance, Albert and Carly got to sit and enjoy dinner!

Personal Touch Dining served the happy couple’s choice of Mediterranean Chicken and Marinated Grilled Tri-Tip with Wild Rice Pilaf and Fresh In-Season Veggies.

After dinner, everyone joined the love birds on the dance floor!

A quick break from dancing allowed the cake, from Flour Power, to be cut and churros freshly fried on-site, by Personal Touch Dining, to be available instead of cake for the rest of the guests.

We just wanted to thank Carly and Albert for choosing to spend their special day with us here at the Ranch!

We loved working with them and their family and wish them all the best in the years to come.

Special thanks to all of our wonderful vendors mentioned above as well!

The night couldn’t have gone so smoothly without you all.

Special thanks to Personal Touch Dining who Manages, Caters, and Coordinates all our Events!