Calabasas Ranch Wedding

Today’s wedding, sent to us by Marianne Wilson Photography, seamlessly blends a mix of cultures and traditions. Bride Jane brought together her Southern upbringing and groom Jorge’s Cuban background, and celebrated their union before the backdrop of the breathtaking Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. Top it all off with some succulent floral arrangements from Dandelion Ranch, and you’ve got one for the books:

From the bride, Jane: Jorge and I are big outdoors people, so when we started to plan the wedding, we knew it needed to be outside. We fell in love hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, and The Ahmanson Ranch felt perfect. Being from the South, I wanted to marry the natural landscape and the traditional Southern sensibility. I envisioned candles hanging from a big oak tree, lace, succulents mixed with peonies and mercury glass mixed with chargers of oakwood. I also really wanted to make sure my husband’s Cuban roots were honored and knew that we would do that through amazing Cuban and Spanish music throughout the cocktail hour and dancing… and yes, there was a Conga line.

I think the best way to describe our wedding was a mix of a traditional Southern sensibility and rustic, California warmth. The evening was magic. It was filled with tealights and lace, market lights strung from oak tree to rooftop, and succulents and hydrangeas potted in reclaimed California driftwood. Our color scheme was ivory, sage, and burlap with pops of soft pink. The one huge DIY project was the seating chart. I found a huge, old 3×4 foot gold frame and stripped it and spray painted it bright white. I bought plywood and had it cut to fit inside and covered that with burlap. I printed each of the guest tables on a beautiful paper and backing and attached it to the burlap inside the frame – which made for a perfect seating chart!

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? Be true to yourself. The day should be a reflection of who you and your partner are – not your parents, friends or anyone else. What made our wedding so special is that it was completely us. Everyone there said they could feel us in every detail and that the love between us was physically expressed through the evening.

See Also

A Tuscan Inspired Wedding with Pastel Hues at California’s Filoli Gardens

Wedding Music:
Bridal Party Processional: “Come Thou Font”
Bridal Processional: Pachelbel’s Canon in D
Recessional: “Canarios, Suite Espanol”
First Dance: “Into the Mystic,” Van Morrison

Wedding Location: Calabasas, CA / Wedding Photographer: Marianne Wilson Photography / Ceremony Venue: Rancho del Diablo Dormido / Reception Venue: Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve / Day-Of Coordination: Orange Dove Events / Wedding Flowers: Clover of Dandelion Ranch / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel “Pearl” via The Ivory Suite Bridal / Hair: Grace Nicole of Auburn Salon / Makeup: Alexandria Storm / Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein / Wedding Caterer: Kitchen 12000 / Wedding Cake: Cake Monkey Bakery / Guitarist: Marco Tulio Pinheiro / DJ: DJ Dave Dolphin / Lighting: Pacific Event Lighting / Videographer: Kroh Media / Wedding Invitations: Bella Figura