14Jun

Condor’s Nest Ranch | Allison and Justin

By, June 14, 2016

Recently, Allison and Justin celebrated their lovely outdoor wedding at Condor’s Nest Ranch in Pala, California. This working ranch is tucked away deep in the mountains, and has an authentic rustic style. The property features an assortment of authentic barns, tractors and farm animals, which completes the rural aesthetic.

Bride and Groom kissing in rustic barn on wedding day

Before the ceremony, Allison prepared in the Ranch House, which is located on the property (see below). The room’s country vibe, amplified by the wood tones and antique props, created the perfect contrast to her modern high-neck halter dress from Casablanca Bridal.

Modern bohemian bride in wedding dress by Casablanca Bridal while holding rustic bouquet Bride shows off ring to bridesmaids for funny reaction Modern Hipster Groom wearing tux from Men's Warehouse poses for photos

The ranch spreads out over 20 acres of property, giving us lots of opportunity to play with the natural landscape. We also made good use of the structures onsite, like in the photo below.

Groom and Groomsmen outside rustic barn

Later on, these cattle stole the spotlight with a classic photobomb of Justin.

Groom poses in front of cattle at rustic outdoor ranch on wedding day

The intimate property sits 1800 ft. above sea level, and overlooks a picturesque valley. To exchange vows, the couple chose the romantic outdoor ceremony site below, featuring breathtaking scenic views.

Wide-angle perspective of bride and groom tying the knot during rustic outdoor wedding ceremony

Allison made her entrance down an aisle of flower petals with Dad by her side (below).

Father walks Bride down flower aisle during wedding ceremony Groom looks on and smiles after seeing Bride come down aisle during wedding Groom dips Bride during First Kiss at outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking mountains

After the ceremony, we walked with Allison and Justin around the ranch’s vast property. By taking advantage of the rural environment and vintage charm, we were able to showcase a variety of backgrounds in the portrait photos.

Bride and Groom embrace one another after rustic outdoor wedding ceremony during beautiful california sunset on ranch Modern Bohemian Bride and Groom pose for photos at rustic ranch Romantic bride and groom look into each other's eyes and touch noses Bride and Groom hold hands and romantically look at one another in rustic greenhouse shed at ranch weddingBride and Groom stand in front of rustic barn door after outdoor ceremony Modern bohemian wedding couple embrace one another before rustic outdoor wedding ceremony at Condor's Nest Ranch in Pala, California.

Allison’s bridesmaids chose alternating dress colors, which added a personalized flair, as well as a vibrant pop of color.

Bohemian modern wedding bridal party outside vintage 76 gas station Black and white photo of wedding couple walk with bridal party at rustic ranch

As the day progressed, Allison and Justin invited guests to the ranch’s pool area, which served as the reception site. As you’ll see in the photo below, the festivities were kicked off with a romantic first dance :)

Bride and Groom share romantic First Dance during rustic outdoor wedding reception

During dinner, tables were decorated with mason jars, as well as floral centerpieces mixed with succulents.

Colorful pink, green and white centerpieces during rustic outdoor wedding reception on ranchCustom rustic wicker chairs for bride and groom during outdoor reception

Throughout the night, Allison and Justin incorporated a bohemian twist to their details, and entertained guests with old-school popcorn machines.

Fun and creative vintage popcorn machine during rustic outdoor wedding reception

In addition, there was a delicious dessert table designed to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

Dessert table with wedding cake, cookies and candy during rustic wedding reception Bride and Groom hold knife and begin to cut cake as guests watch during outdoor wedding receptionBride prepares to toss bouquet during outdoor reception Bride and Groom's ornate diamond rings placed on vintage typewriter at rustic ranch wedding Creative long-exposure of outdoor rustic wedding reception on ranch at night

Vendors

Venue: Condor’s Nest Ranch
Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal
Wedding Shoes: Sam Edelman “Gigi” Sandals
Wedding Rings: Adiamor (Bride Engagement Band) Its A Little Thing (Bride Wedding Band) & Ben Bridge (Groom)
Makeup: Sunshine Hair Design
Hair Stylist: Sunshine Hair Design
Coordinator: Condor’s Nest Ranch
Officiant: Pastor Glenn Hirashiki
Catering: Dalena’s Catering 2 U
Disc Jockey: Universal Weddings and Events

Check out more romantic moments from Allison and Justin’s rustic outdoor wedding

26Apr

Let There Be Cake! | Cake Topper Inspiration

By, April 26, 2016

At the wedding, even the smallest details can make a big impression. One unexpected way to showcase your personality as a couple is the cake topper. This fun expression of love can be as outrageous, understated, or glamorous as you want it to be.

Although its origins are shrouded in mystery, legend says the cake topper began over 100 years ago. Engaged to be married, a baker’s daughter came to her father seeking a unique symbol of love for her groom. After multiple attempts, and long consideration, the baker presented the bride-to-be with two figurines atop a cake. This representation of the wedding couple became instantly popular, and still holds to this day.

The ritual of the cake topper has been updated over time, with modern twists. We’ve seen ornate hand-carved designs, customized figurines, sophisticated paper cutouts, and much more. We hope you enjoy these recent cake topper inspiration photos below.

Cute text and sports-inspired wedding cake topper

At Lauren and Stephen’s wedding at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (see below), they cheered on their favorite sports teams with personalized hockey and soccer cake toppers!

Cute hockey-inspired cake topper with wedding couple Rustic, chic wedding cake toppers of birds and wedding couple Minimal red and yellow cake with gold text cake topper

Cake toppers can be a fun way to get festive and celebrate your ancestry. This Day of the Dead cake from the wedding of Danielle and Michael (below left) and figurines from Jennifer and David (below right) added a pop of color to the day’s activities.

Mexican-inspired, day of dead wedding cake toppersCute, tiger-themed bride and groom cake topper

For April and Vernon’s wedding (below), the couple had an artist capture them in their wedding day attire, depicted as paper cutouts. This resulted in a timeless keepsake that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Modern, chic cake topper customized to look like wedding coupleCute and fun airplane topper with bride and groom Funny and cute dog-inspired wedding cake toppers with wedding couple Creative navy-themed cake topper with wedding coupleFunny cake topper with groom pulling brideCute, ceramic owl wedding cake topper of wedding couple

If figurines aren’t your style, you can switch things up with a dash of fresh flowers. These two cakes by Sweet Cheeks Baking (see below) added elegance and tropical flair to understated white frosting bases.

Colorful, floral and exotic wedding cake toppers

Another idea is to incorporate streamed banners, adding a whimsical, handmade touch to the dessert table.

Cute, rustic wedding cake toppers with bannered signsClassic wedding cake decorated with sailor wedding cake topper Creative, beach-inspired wedding cake toppers with chairs and sand

No matter how you top it, a personalized wedding cake topper is a fun way to welcome guests to your reception. We leave you with this sexy cake topper from Sisanie and Michael’s wedding at the Legendary Park Plaza Hotel, which really says it all :)

Classic wedding cake with cake topper of bride and groom kissing

Check out more ways to personalize and decorate your wedding cake top.

30Mar

Sweet Inspiration | Wedding Cakes Remixed

By, March 30, 2016

The wedding cake is a worldwide tradition that spans across many cultures. Starting with a delicious blank canvas, skilled bakeries and caterers use craftsmanship and a bit of magic to create tantalizing works of art. We are always impressed when the wedding cake is specific and personalized to the couple, or when it ties in expertly with the wedding theme. The artistry involved never ceases to amaze.

For a delicious serving of inspiration, we decided to remix some of our favorite photos from throughout the years with cake styles we love. Sweet!

Classic Wedding Couple and Gold Cake at US Grant

There are a variety of ways to match your cake to the overall theme of the day. For example, a sleek downtown wedding may call for a minimal, modern cake design with understated accents. At a more colorful wedding, the cake style may be more vibrant, such as the example below by Crimson Cake.

Fun and tropical wedding couple and cake

This romantic cake (below) by the Fairmont Grand Del Mar left us stunned. With its beautiful, ruffled ombre of chocolate-to-vanilla frosting, it is a visual treat! Throw a sexy vintage Corvette into the mix, and you’re in for one glamorous evening!

Modern couple in red sport car with ruffled wedding cake

We love how the geometric lines of Christy and Sterling’s venue, Vin De Syrah, juxtaposed with this cake (below) by 24 Carrots Catering and Events. The cake’s minimal sleekness, topped off with a burst of ruffles, is the perfect counterbalance to this venue’s marble interior.

Modern Ruffled Wedding CakeRustic inspired wedding with aloe vera cake

At a themed or exotic wedding, a touch of the environment helps to immerse guests in the experience. For example, when we laid eyes on these cakes by Temecula Creek Inn (above) and Sweet Cheeks Baking (below) we instantly fell in love with their incorporation of the natural surroundings.

Tropical Beach Wedding with Blue CakeCouple with horse and rustic wedding cakePatriotic Military Wedding CakeTraditional Couple in spiral staircase with gold crusted wedding cakeWedding Couple and vibrant sunflower cake

These cakes by Twiggs Bakery (above) and Twin Oaks Garden Estate (below) added a touch of vibrance to their surroundings.

Couple with firetruck and white with red flowers wedding cakeDramatic orange and blue wedding couple and cakePink accents on wedding cake and detailsModern wedding couple with dramatic purple background and purple wedding cake

For more creative ways to dress up your cake, click here :)

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