A San Diego vineyard offers a breathtaking venue for a micro wedding
Micro weddings in San Diego are starting to grow in popularity, and this wedding is a perfect example of how beautiful and special they can really be for all the guests invited. The Bride’s Grandfather married the couple, right before the cloudy skies gave way to rain showers. Nothing could dampen the celebratory spirit at this local winery in the heart of San Diego’s wine country.
Alec and Ciara traveled with their closest family and friends from Kansas City, MO last May. Looking to get away from the cold, they set their sites on a picturesque little vineyard in northern San Diego.
The Sunday they got married was full of cloudy skies, and the forecast predicted rain in the near future. However, this did not dampen the celebratory spirit of the group as they got ready at the nearby Rancho Bernardo Inn.
Micro Weddings offer Flexibility
The Bride contacted me the previous November asking if it was possible to set up a small wedding ceremony the following May. She mentioned that her budget was smaller than a traditional wedding, and her guest count wouldn’t exceed twenty guests. (The term “micro wedding” is for gatherings of 50 or less guests). I think Ciara was surprised when I emailed back with an emphatic yes. With just a few photos and a handful of phone conversations, we created a beautiful wedding day to they’ll always remember.
The one thing Ciara really wanted to see and have her guests enjoy was the venue’s view. Cordiano Winery rests on top of a hill, overlooking the rolling hills of the the Highland Valley wine country. The winery is know for its breathtaking scenery and the sunsets that dazzle their guests along the skyline. With this in mind, we kept the ceremony very simple, allowing the backdrop to shine through.
Ciara was so easy going through out the entire process. She wasted no time in handing me the reigns to create something that was magical, full of candlelight, and highlighted a romantic color palette of taupe, sage, dusty rose, and hints of ecru. She wanted her wedding to exude a classic, and slightly whimsical feel.
Small Weddings = More Details
A special moment of the day that stood out was definitely the wedding ceremony. The Bride’s Grandfather married the couple, right before the cloudy skies gave way to rain showers. As they hurried into the venue, artisan pizza and Italian cheeses greeted the guests.
When designing a Bride and Groom’s wedding, it’s paramount for me to design an event that is a reflection of the couple. All the garden roses were grown by Grace Rose Farm, and the china was sourced by one of my favorite rental houses in Orange County- Archive Rentals. I wanted the romantic flicker of the candles to dance along the delicate edges of the china. The roses from Grace offer this incredible smell, and really contributes to the ambiance of a micro wedding. Since smaller gatherings need less reception tables and flowers, we were able to use only the best quality for each and every tabletop item. Ciara and I wanted it to feel incredibly intimate and soft, and when you see the pictures, I think you’ll agree we accomplished it.
A note from the Bride:
“Kim helped me pull off a beautiful and romantic, out of state wedding. She answered all my questions, kept me in the loop, and helped me focus my wedding vision. Kim is uber talented. She helped me nail down a theme, colors, floral preferences, literally everything. She took my scattered ideas and messy Pinterest board and totally understood what I was imagining. As an out of state bride I couldn’t be present for a venue tour or in person consultation but she made it work flawlessly. This woman can do everything! From florals to rentals to vendor recommendations to the cake itself, Kim blew me away. She took all my stress away and produced a wedding that could have been in the movies. I have nothing but good things to say about Kim and highly recommend her as your wedding planner!”
Photography: All Good Things Photography
Ceremony Venue: Cordiano Winery
Event Planning and Florals: Sisti&Co.
Stationary: Minted
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen
If you adored this micro wedding in San Diego, you might also enjoy this beautiful intimate wedding in La Jolla as well. If your wedding plans have been affected by Coronavirus, I also offer some suggestions on how best to move forward.
Feel free to pin this article on Pinterest for your inspiration.
