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