Bridal Party 101 | Responsibilities

Posted on March 18, 2021

There’s More Than Just Partying in the Bridal Party

Expected Duties, Planning, and Etiquette

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 | 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

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!”

We’re so honored to be a part of this special day for these two!

We wish them all the best in their bright future together.

Thanks to all the marvelous vendors for helping us bring everything together for this beautiful couple.

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

Vendors:

Can Ham Photo Booth

Chasing Light Photo and Film

Florals – The Love Sparrows

DJ – Sound Illusions

Catering/Coordination – Personal Touch Dining

Men’s Attire – Friar Tux

Dress Store – The Bustle

Bridesmaid Dresses – (each girl picked her own)

Dress Designer – Stella York

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

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