Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A blog post filled with photos!

So I've visited my venue a total of 4 times in the past year:  1)  First time in Nov, 2008 Mr Fix It and I went on the appointment to check it out and ask the questions.  2)  Second time in Jan, 2009 when I took my mom and sis to see it after we had booked it.  3)  Third time on April 16th, 2009 at 5 pm (the exact day and time in 2010 that our wedding ceremony will take place) with my daughter and coordinator so I could get pics of the place at the same time of day and year that we'll be there.  4)  Fourth time in August when I took my future MIL and SIL to see it.

I get to go again on January 7th when I take another future SIL to see it while she is in town taking 2 of our 4 little ring bearers to Disneyland.  While I was there on April 16th last year I took lots of photos of the different areas so I could plan accordingly for lighting, weather, sunset, etc.  All the pics below are mostly my personal shots from that day.

The coolest thing about this place - the private zoo on the premises that guests can walk the trail before the ceremony or during the cocktail hour to see 4 tigers, llamas, zebras, wild cats, exotic birds and more! Check it out - what do you think?




The entrance where guests walk along the trellis to the gathering/cocktail area when they first arrive.



The Cocktail area by a fountain pool (we will have a strolling magician during our cocktail hour to entertain the guests)


Look at how all the flowers are in full bloom in April!  Love it!

Another shot of cocktail area from above (to the left is the outdoor bar area, in the distance is the outdoor teatro where the ceremony is held)


The outdoor teatro where the ceremony is held (the bridal party make their entrance across that bridge)



Another shot of the outdoor ceremony area with chairs set up



A shot from the teatro looking up at Rick's Cafe. The balcony is a very popular photo op location. (This is also how the guests get down to the ceremony site from the cocktail/reception area...it is also where we are setting up a 'kids corner' area with babysitters for younger children to play games and watch DVD's and even let younger babies sleep in small pack n plays)



The reception area with a stone fireplace in the center where our sweetheart table will be set up in front of (It also has another bar area available and an alcove behind the fireplace where we can set up the buffet and keep it out of sight of the guests dining tables)


The alcove behind the fireplace where the buffet and chocolate fountain will be set up.

The patio off the reception room (Grand Salon) where our photobooth and guestbook table will be set up.


Some shots of inside Rick's Cafe where the kids corner will be set up...it's very cool, there are different table/bar areas for guests as well as another fireplace for ambience

 

The bride's cottage / preparation area.  To the right of that bridge is a patio area and the bride's cottage is the door on that patio.  The bridesmaids and I will exit that cottage and walk across the bridge to the ceremony (aisle).





Though not large, there's even an area behind the teatro for a 'groom's quarters'.  Not many places offer a place for the guys to change and hang in!


The gazebo out at the ceremony area - the guitarist (my friend Charlie) will be set up behind that little arch that juts out into where the guests will be seated.



Where guests will walk in from...that raised brick area will have the gift table on it.


Orchards behind the teatro (ceremony area) where we will have some pretty photo ops


The main entrance that guests turn into the estate off of the road.


The area where guests will exit their vehicles at the valet station...also a wonderful photo op area


The estate has some beautiful lawns, trees and flowers and this vintage red photo booth I can't wait to get some fun shots in!


More pretty walkways for photos


Another shot of the cocktail/fountain and outdoor bar area


A deck (part of the cocktail area) next to Rick's Cafe

Cocktail area lit up at dusk


Cocktail area with lounge chairs and tables set out (we won't have that big round ottoman at our cocktail hour but we will have some cushioned benches and tables up against the fountain pool similar to those brown ones).



Photos courtesy of personal camera, Rancho Las Lomas, www.thebecker.com and Renee Broughton Photography

25 comments:

Bee @ BP Wedding said...

Oh my, that looks so beautiful! What a nice venue!! I love everything about it, but especially the bridge, fountain pool and that red phone booth. How fun! Can't wait to see your pictures in it. I'm insanely jealous but happy for you! Good job on scoring this place. Your wedding is going to be so beautiful!! :)

Amanda said...

WOW!!! This is just beautiful!!! I can't wait to see the pictures!! There are so many great places for photographs!! Lucky girl ;)

Heather said...

As you know, I LOVE everything about your venue! Every one of the shots you’ve shown so far has simply blown me away, and it will all be even more gorgeous on your wedding day. :)

cupcake wedding said...

This is a DREAM venue. Amazing.

Kim said...

I agree with cupcake - this is a dream venue! There are so many different elements that make it truly unique and special. And the groom's quarters! Love it! My guy will be changing in the bathroom, which, while large, is just not the same as what Mr. Fix-it will have. And I LOVE the orchard! It's just so quintessential Southern California. Yay!!!

Kristy said...

my goodness - this is a dreamland, absolutely gorgeous - thanks for sharing, now i can really picture your day coming together!

very married said...

SO cool. you wouldn't even need to decorate.


btw, your comment TOTALLY reminded me: my dad's wife is making a basket in my colors for our flower girl to pass out favors after the ceremony. I can TOTALLY have her take it to the reception site and throw it on the gift table. PROBLEM SOLVED!

GM said...

Very nice!!

Pug(s) and Bugg said...

Ok... I know you won't (since you are super creative!) but you could seriously go without decorations that place is so gorgeous. I cannot wait to see what you do to it. I have a feeling it will be mind-blowing!!!!
-kjpugs

Em said...

Wow wow wow!! You have the most amazing venue! Can I come to your wedding?? I cannot WAIT to see some pics using that phone booth.

buhdoop said...

Oh my goodness!!! So much beauty. I think I am a little bit jealous. This is going to look so breathtaking on your wedding day. Especially with the picture frames you designed, beautiful!

Born to be Mrs. Beever said...

Thanks, ladies. I am indeed a very lucky girl.

kjpugs & very married: One of the main reasons I wanted to get married there (not just it's amazingness) is because I knew I wouldn't have to do much in the way of decorations to still have a beautiful wedding. It's also why I picked April...sort of off season month but still great weather in Cali...not too hot, not too cold and everything will be in full bloom :)

Anonymous said...

Of my gosh. I just have to tell you...this is the most beautiful venue I have ever seen!!! Everything is so gorgeous! (And there is a zoo!? OMG!)

I am in love with the area where you are going to do cocktails. Your wedding is going to be phenomenal, I just know it.

I can't wait to see the pics! :)

The Professional Bridesmaid said...

Completely blown off my feet! It's magnificent! My favourite part is the cocktail area....you are going to have some amazing pics.

Brittany said...

WOW this is beautiful. I LOVE the zoo. You won't need to do much decorating with all of those beautiful flowers.

Chocolate Lover said...

You know I love this place! I think your wedding will be magical! Can't wait to see it all on your special day!

Jenn said...

So beautiful!

Annie @ Marry You Me said...

SUCH a cool venue. I love the spanish tile everywhere!

jes [a mountain bride] said...

wowza!

Kassie said...

I just stumbled on your blog somehow, and I was scrolling through these photos, I tried to think what was so familiar. And then I remembered--my cousin was married there this past March! It was so beautiful, and lots of fun with the zoo out front. Enjoy!! :)

JazzWhispers said...

Such a beautiful venue! You'll have such great memories from it! Picture perfect! And the zoo is such an added bonus!

honey my heart said...

such an amazing place!!

Gracie said...

Your venue is absolutely amazing! You are going to have some wonderful places to get photos. And so many photo ops for the guest too!

Mrs T said...

Your venue is hands down AMAZING! And HUGE. They are going to be some awesome photos. So excited for you.

Mariposa said...

I love it, thanks for sharing it is AMAZING!!!

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