Kristen and Chris’ charming garden wedding reminded us of all the reasons we love The Emma Estate! Its lush gardens and simple beauty make the perfect backdrop for an elegant and romantic wedding.
Elegance and romance were certainly the words to describe Kristen and Chris’ stunning wedding under the warmth of the Rancho Santa Fe sun. Dreamlike walkways and gardens set the mood perfectly!
It can be easy to loose sight of the reasons for marriage in the hustle and bustle of planning; however, Kristen and Chris’ intimate ceremony and reception never lost focus of love and family.
The little details were what made their weddings so special: hanging pictures, a timeline of their “love story”, and little “bride” and “groom” details.
Seating and table positions may conjure images of boring linen colors or stress surrounding where to place that college-roommate’s-boyfriend’s-wingman but all of this can be avoided with family-style seating. By arranging all the tables in a pseudo-circle, guests can all feel included in conversations and everyone will feel like their sitting at the bride and groom’s dinner table!
Pastel colors and seasonal peonies complemented the garden wedding perfectly. The decor was not overdone and definitely not overlooked!
While the wedding certainly was garden-influenced, it of course had a great Southern Californian flare. The Emma Estate’s stunning pool lined with palm trees made guests feel like they were sipping cocktails in paradise.
Dream-like romance carried on into twilight as hot air-balloons decorated the skyline and refreshing breezes swept over the garden, setting the perfect mood for dancing the night away.
Kristen and Chris’ wedding not only reminded us why we love the Emma Estate but also why we love weddings!
Your Turn…
Are you planning an estate wedding? Tell us all about it in the comments below…
Tying the knot in an idyllic setting seems like the perfect recipe for romance.
While it might be tough to convince some guests to take the trip, a destination wedding can also be very attractive for wedding attendees because they can combine their travels to your celebration with their annual vacation.
The reason that some wedding destinations are popular is obvious: they have amazing tropical traits or a romantic urban atmosphere.
While people might hold a small wedding or even elope to places like the Bahamas or Paris, there are other destinations that are equally attractive and perhaps even a little easier to get to.
Looking for the perfect place to host a destination wedding or to escape for a quiet ceremony with your significant other?
These 4 locations should be on the top of your list:
The beaches of St. Croix, Satin John and Saint Thomas are as idyllic as any destination in the Caribbean.
At the same time, unlike many islands in this part of the world, a passport is not necessary for US citizens who want to visit the USVI.
This means that a last-minute elopement can take place on the Virgin Islands even if the couple does not have their passports.
Also, a destination wedding held on these islands won’t require all the guests to have passports.
Aside from the logistical advantages, this is a wonderful place for a party.
The beaches, especially those on Saint John, are perfect and often uncrowded.
Villas and rental estates overlook the water and provide the perfect setting for a tropical-themed ceremony and the ensuing reception.
2. Phoenix
Arizona is a popular destination for golfers and snowbirds.
The cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale are also classy destinations that have been drawing the world’s elites for near a century.
This is the heart of the Southwest and a place with many high-end boutiques, world-class restaurants, PGA tour-worthy golf courses, and luxurious hotels and spas.
The Camelback District, which sits in the shadow of its namesake mountain, is the center of Southwestern stylishness.
A favorite haunt of past luminaries like Humphrey Bogart and a number of other stars and politicians, this district is ideal for those seeking a classic luxury experience for their special ceremony and reception.
Resorts cater to wedding parties, as do private villas and estates, many of which sit in the foothills and mountains overlooking Phoenix and Scottsdale.
3. New York City
The Big Apple is an exciting place to visit, whether you are getting married or just taking a brief vacation.
The amazing array of wedding and event venues make this the perfect choice for anyone who wants to combine the excitement and romance of America’s biggest city with their wedding celebration.
Wedding venues can be found in every borough.
These range from small penthouse condos that can facilitate an intimate ceremony (or even act as a base for a luxurious honeymoon) to large historic event spaces that can host a reception for hundreds of people.
For larger destination weddings, guests can combine their wedding attendance with a vacation in one of the world’s great cities.
4. San Diego
San Diego is not quite as famous as its northern neighbor, Los Angeles, but it does have some traits that make it an amazing place for a destination wedding.
The weather is almost ideal year-round, making it possible to have the typical “June” wedding experience at any time of year.
San Diego has a full array of rental estates and event spaces.
These range from modern, luxury penthouses perfect for small gatherings to huge spaces that can accommodate weddings of five hundred people.
Choosing a great estate in any one of these four destinations virtually guarantees you a memorable and romance-filled destination wedding.
an almost perfect setting for a wedding or special event.
The weather is ideal year-round, meaning that it is possible to have the stereotypical “June wedding” experience virtually any time of year.
With its miles of beaches and a host of world-class attractions, San Diego is a good choice for a West Coast vacation as well as a destination wedding or corporate retreat.
This area of southernmost California has a full menu of high quality rental estates.
Options range from unique penthouses to luxurious seaside villas to hip events spaces located in the heart of the city.
All these choices make it easy to find the perfect setting for a luxury vacation, a wedding ceremony and reception, or a corporate meeting or retreat.
Here are three standout estates in San Diego that are worth considering for your next special event or wedding ceremony.
Bali Gardens Estate
Bali Gardens Estate, in Rancho Santa Fe, is a huge meeting and event space that defies definition.
Set on 10 garden-filled acres, this estate boasts nearly 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
Because it sits on one of the highest points in the San Diego metro, Bali Gardens offers some amazing views of the city and its surroundings.
Since it can host up to 500 people, this is an ideal setting for a wedding or large event.
The expansive grounds and open air areas make for a memorable outdoor wedding experience.
The onsite botanical gardens, patios and fountains bring to mind the landscapes and design of the Indonesian island that inspired the “Bali” part of the Bali Garden Estate’s name.
This is also a wonderful estate for spending a few days in absolute luxury.
There are 8 bedrooms, a pool, a wine tasting room, extensive indoor and outdoor amenities and, of course, the lush landscapes and amazing views.
Marina 5 Penthouse
The Marina 5 Penthouse, in San Diego’s Little Italy area, offers amazing skyline views and modern, stylish interior and exterior spaces.
With over 5,000 square feet of floor space, this is an ideal spot for a pre-wedding photo shoot or a small ceremony and reception.
The penthouse can accommodate up to 50 people for such events.
The most noticeable feature of Marina 5 is its floor to ceiling windows, which allow visitors to take full advantage of their rooftop location to appreciate the San Diego skyline.
Accessed by private elevator, the penthouse has some other noteworthy traits as well.
An interior courtyard gives the venue an more-spacious feel.
This venue is often used for film or photo shoots, though it regularly plays host to various types of special events as well.
Leight Star Yacht
For most events, a traditional wedding and event estate, with upscale atmosphere, quality catering, and plenty of open space is more than adequate.
However, it is also possible to think outside of the proverbial box and find an amazing event venue in a very unexpected place.
The yacht has played host to luxury cruises and parties thrown by local millionaires, famous companies like Virgin, and even celebrities like Louis Vuitton.
The boat has an on-deck jacuzzi and five suites (a master suite and four junior suites).
The interior of the mid-deck areas are decorated with authentic Burmese teakwood, which shows that there is plenty of substance behind the Leight’s style.
Along with the jacuzzi, the upper deck has a bar, a sunbathing area, and an observation tower.
The stylish common areas of the ship make it possible to have a luxury cruise ship experience without all the drawbacks that come from setting sail on a commercial cruise line.
A wedding reception or dinner party on the Leight Star Yacht will not only be memorable for the hosts, but for everyone in attendance.
Tell us what you think?
Do you have a favorite Estate Rental in San Diego?