We recently had the honor of being one of the wedding vendors chosen for this timeless & dreamy wedding styled photoshoot organized by Jade Preciado Events at Sunstone Villa. While looking through all the gorgeous photos taken by Derek Preciado Photography, it’s hard to believe this shoot took place in Santa Ynez California vs. the heart of Italy! A few key elements from this editorial shoot stood out as little tips to provide when desiring to recreate a similar look for your California wedding day!
1. Choose the “right” venue.
The number one thing that will capture the Italian style you’re after is finding a California wedding venue that transports you straight to the heart of romantic Italy! Look for stone walls & structures, details like fountains or large/cascading staircases, big open/arched doorways, a large vineyard with rolling hills, & lots of open land with beautiful greenery & good lighting. We found that Sunstone Villa in Santa Ynez, California was the perfect location for this shoot!
2. Set the vibe with your invites/stationary.
Choosing a “theme” for your stationary is a great way to set the tone & style of your wedding. Remember to include them in your detail shots later! Elephant Limbo did an amazing job creating these “fine art/old world” inspired invites! Carry out these same aesthetics with your florals & other wedding design choices.
3. Incorporate Italian inspired food & drink.
Italy is known to have smaller food portions with an emphasis on the beautiful display & fresh taste. Using fresh & colorful ingredients for both the food & drinks will help cultivate the look & feel you desire! Do some research to find out what is commonly served at Italian weddings & find a catering/bar company who can accomplish your vision!
4. Bridal beauty.
Your hair, makeup, & the style of your attire definitely matters when sticking to a “theme” for your wedding. For this shoot, we wanted the bride’s hair & makeup to be timeless & romantic + natural yet elevated. We chose a classic updo with face framing pieces accompanied with natural toned, sun-kissed makeup to enhance the bride’s natural beauty. Both the bride & groom’s attire truly pulled together the classic Italian tone for the day!
5. Organic, timeless, romantic, & intentional details.
A pop of fresh fruit details throughout your wedding designs can help cultivate the organic, fresh feel people love about Italy (especially when paired with florals that fit the same vibe! Glenna Joy Flowers) The talented wedding cake artist, Cake Cathedral, even added a bit of Italian poetry within the design. Being extra intentional with little details like this throughout your venue will give you the elevated look & feel you’re after while staying true to the chosen aesthetic.
Check out all the talented vendors below who made this styled shoot come to life!
Venue: Sunstone Villa in Santa Ynez, California| Design & Planning: Jade Preciado Events | Photographer: Derek Preciado Photography | Videographer: Steven Dorn Films | Florist: Glenna Joy Flowers | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Linens: NV Linens | Bar: Bottega Designs | Hair & Makeup: Dreamcatcher Artistry | Caterer & Fruit Staging: 805 Charcuterie | Cake: Cake Cathedral | Ceremony Platform: Dark Marquee Designs | Stationer: Elephant Limbo | Signs: Mojave Maker | Dress & Accessories: Mareh Couture | Bridal Robe: Le Rose | Bridal Shoes: Bella Belle | Tux: Friar Tux | Rings: Stor by Margot | Styling Mats: April Raymond | Taper Candles: Jeanne Crafty Candles | Car: Hollywood Classic Cars | Model Agency: Hello Gorgeous Models
