Greengate Ranch and Vineyard was the ideal San Luis Obispo wedding venue for this fun and colorful Mexico inspired wedding! An amazing wooden arch set at the alter was created by the talented Lovelyfest designers and vibrantly covered with florals by Precious and Blooming Floral Design. Lovelyfest completed the design with a unique seating chart as well as creative table settings each including a colorful maraca. Ashley Ludaescher Photoraphy captured the lively day of these two love birds saying "I Do!"
From the designers of Lovelyfest: "Courtney & Juan's wedding was set amongst the rolling hills and grapevines of San Luis Obispo, California at Greengate Ranch and Vineyard. It was a perfect warm July day, with 400 guests at the gorgeous, sprawling venue. When we first met with the couple, they expressed that they wanted to honor their Mexican heritage by using bright florals, bold colors, and tasteful accents. We jumped at the opportunity! They completely trusted us to bring their vision to life, and we ran with the theme of a modern and elegant Mexican fiesta!"
Inspiration for the day/ How did you make your wedding about the two of you?
From the bride, Courtney: "For the wedding we really wanted it to be a reflection of the both of us and be fun for all of our guests. I love bright colors and flowers so that was an easy choice. One of Juan's requests was that we have mariachis so it just kind of evolved from there."
"The ceremony was set on the south end of the property on a grassy peninsula surrounded by a pond and vineyards. Precious & Blooming floral design used a large, round, wooden arch as the altar and adorned it with bougainvillea and peonies as bright as a summer day. After the ceremony, a mariachi band led guests to cocktail hour. Such a fun touch!"
Most memorable moment of your wedding day?
"My most memorable moment was the first look. In the morning, I remember being very calm and then all of a sudden once I had to put my dress on the nerves started kicking in. Then as soon as I saw Juan for our first look all of my nerves went away and I couldn't wait to marry him."
During cocktail hour, guests sipped on margaritas and listened to the mariachi while playing fun lawn games. We created a large escort display wall which held all 400 individual bright pink otomi escort cards and a custom gold foil sign at the top saying "Find Your Seat, Por Favor". We flanked the wall with authentic equipale tables, woven basket trays, ceramic lanterns and potted cactus.
At dinner, we alternated different sized tables with various linen colors and patterns to break up the sea of tables. We used a beautiful blue shibori linen from La Tavola Linen, as well as intricately handmade macrame runners from Mod Mix Studio. It was the perfect mix of color and texture. For a pop of color and fun, we placed a different colored maraca at each place setting. This served as a favor and a fun way to get the bride and groom to kiss! Guests dined under the waving papel picado garlands and bistro lights, the perfect al fresco fiesta.
After dinner, guests were invited inside the barn for the reception and dancing. In the ceiling of the barn, we hung more papel picado strands, continuing that fun fiesta vibe. Homemade paletas were served and Paper Cake Events created the most beautifully intricate macrame cake out of fondant for the couple to cut! We placed this cake in front of a wall of sombreros, reminiscent of those you would see in Mexico. A white VW bus was also parked inside the barn and doubled as a photo booth, such a fun addition! It was the perfect, colorful, elegant wedding that honored Courtney and Juan's Mexican heritage in subtle ways.
Any advice for those planning their wedding now?
"As soon as people find out you are engaged advice and suggestions for your wedding start flying in from all over the place. Some of the advice is very much needed and appreciated. On the other hand, some of it is the total opposite. Try not to let unwanted advice from others influence what you have in mind for your big day. If you want a certain color for your bridesmaids dresses, or certain flowers for your ceremony, go for it! It's your big day. In the end all that matters is that the two of you are happy and had the wedding of your dreams."
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