Wedding Photography and Wedding Videography in Temecula, Ca
A Fall Vineyard Wedding at South Coast Winery – Temecula, Ca
Stephanie and Chris
The Back Story
Chris and Stephanie met in 2010 while working at a restaurant together. They both vividly remember the night they met, and the immediate chemistry, but not a single detail of their conversation. It didn’t seem to matter what they talked about, just that they have been inseparable since. Stephanie was by Chris’s side throughout graduate school, and when it was time to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments, the two planned a graduation party with 60 of their closest friends and family “squeezed” into their backyard. Stephanie had no idea that Chris’s actual plan was for this gathering to be the day he proposed. As he toasted his guests with thanks and appreciation, he turned to Stephanie and told her how much she meant to him and how he realized through this journey that their “relationship was something he wanted to make sure he had for the rest of his life.” Chris got down on one knee, and asked Stephanie to be his wife. Their graduation party turned in to an unforgettable engagement party, and the beginning of the rest of their lives.
The Wedding
The couple always envisioned a casual wedding on the beach. Their search started in San Diego’s, Mission Beach, where they thought they had found the perfect waterfront wedding venue. On the drive home, Stephanie and Chris decided to take a tour of a few wineries… just to see what a Temecula wine country wedding would feel like. They fell in love at their first stop, South Coast Winery, and knew that it was where they would tie the knot. The venue is so naturally beautiful, with an ambiance that allowed the couple to keep their wedding design a lot more simple than they had previously planned.
The color palette was made up of a lot of blues, greens and grey. The bridesmaid dresses were a mix of styles, all in a slate blue and the groomsmen contrasted with a dark grey suit and lighter grey tie. The florals were white and cream, with pops of Mauve and green. Sweet Pea Floral Creations designed gorgeous arrangements in line with their colors, including a beautiful custom bouquet for the bride with pictures of her late father in an attached locket.
Stephanie and Chris chose not to have a first look. The pre-wedding photos were taken separately while their family and bridal parties helped prep the couple for their walk down the aisle. We still had plenty of time for bridal party photographs after the ceremony, and were able to take some time pre-ceremony for a few family photos. It was wonderful to see generations of family members take part in such intimate moments.
The bride fell in love with an ivory lace, mermaid fit gown with an almond underlay. An Essence of Australia “Vintage Bohemian” wedding dress, had a gorgeous illusion back with a 5 foot train and sweetheart neckline, featuring vintage pearl beadwork.
South Coast Winery Resort never disappoints with lush greenery and vineyard views to backdrop any wedding. Stephanie and Chris’s ceremony was held at the Rose Arbor nestled in the overnight villas. They chose to prepare personal vows, which they agreed was their favorite moment of the day. “We both put a lot of time into writing special vows to each other. It was extremely emotional to hear what the other person had to say.” I was able to take some amazing family wedding photos, bridal party photos and some stunning bride and groom romantic shots directly after the ceremony. It worked out perfectly, as their guests gathered in the Courtyard for the reception.
“We both put a lot of time into writing special vows to each other. It was extremely emotional to hear what the other person had to say.”
For a touch of DIY on their wedding day, Chris built some great games for the guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. His woodworking talents didn’t stop at the giant Jenga or Cornhole set, Chris also crafted a mahogany card box for the gift table. Stephanie joined in on the DIY elements, using wine corks to create a C & S to display, and escort cards for each guest. Their favors were black jar candles, with a wooden lid and personalized decals with their names and wedding date by Cal Candle Supply.
The two tiered cake from The Cake Cottage Murrieta, was covered in a buttercream frosting in slate blue to match the bridesmaids gowns and white, in a brushed pattern, with a personalized cake topper.
What started as a chance trip to Temecula Wine Country, turned into the “most perfect, and beautiful day” of Chris and Stephanie’s lives. It’s always such a pleasure to be the wedding photographer and wedding videographer to such loving and appreciative couples. Thanks to an incredible vendor team, this wedding was a total success! Cheers to the bride and groom!
“The cinematography is breath-taking, the music flows so well and our vision of what we wanted to portray was spot on. Thank you for giving us something we will cherish forever and something we’ll be able to pass down to our kids.”
-Chris and Stephanie Reyes
Hey, I'm Nicholas (Nick) Gonzalez
The founder and lead photographer at American Portra
I love to inspire and inform all of my couples through my blog posts. Visualizing your wedding is key when planning it. Browse around and check out local weddings venues, engagement session ideas, and pro tips!
