This San Luis Obispo ranch wedding from Jen Rodriguez Photography is bright, beautiful, and fun! It’s a perfect mix of vintage and eclectic styles combined with a lot of meaningful details that really reflect the bride and groom, Melinda and Greg! Melinda is joining us today to share some of her planning insight with all of us, so I’ll let her take over!
What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?
During the planning process I spent a lot of time getting ideas for DIY projects from wedding blogs and magazines. I spent a lot of after work hours on crafts, but it was all so worth it in the end. I also enlisted my family and friends to help. My grandmother sewed the cloth napkins and let me gather unique vintage items I found around her house, my relatives catered the dinner, my dad drew the tree for our “guest book”, and my mom and mother-in-law worked on crafts too. It was truly a group effort. On the wedding day my coordinator, Jamie Strand, really was so critical. She took our vision and all of the projects/crafts we brought and set them up beautifully. It allowed me the chance to relax with my bridesmaids and enjoy the day. She also offered helpful advice throughout the planning process. She’s the expert on what has, and hasn’t, worked at that venue so I really trusted her opinion.
What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?
One of the most important things we considered when choosing our vendors was that they were familiar with the venue, and had worked together in the past. Our coordinator gave us recommendations of local vendors who were out at the Holland Ranch frequently. In meeting with them, we were pleased with how professional and fun they all were. We had a great experience with all of them. They seemed to really understand the feeling and look we were going for. It is such a unique, and beautiful venue to have a wedding, and we wanted vendors who knew what a special place it was and were excited to be out there with us.
Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?
Our DJ, Chris Bailey, gave us a CD at the end of the wedding with our vows and the wedding speeches on it. We waited until we were on our honeymoon in Greece to listen to it. It was so special to re-live those moments. I cried happy tears listening to it with my new husband. I know we will continue to treasure it. Our coordinator also surprised us by agreeing to pick up In-N-Out cheeseburgers for our guests as a midnight snack, the grooms idea of course :). It saved any family or friends from making the trip and was a total hit with the guests! Our photographer, Jen Rodriguez, surprised us with stunning shots of our day. She captured our favorite shot ever…us floating in the Holland Ranch pond at sunset in an old row boat. It’s perfect!
What was your favorite thing about your wedding?
My almost-favorite thing about our wedding was that everyone, including us, had fun. The feeling that night was indescribable. Everyone was smiling, dancing, and gave us such complementary feedback. All along the way, when I’d be rushing around and working on plans, people would tell me that no one would notice if I didn’t include this-or-that detail. In the end, it was those little details that made our wedding a personal reflection of us and our relationship. My truly favorite thing about our wedding, is that I walked away with such a wonderful husband in Greg!
What is your best piece of advice for other brides?
My best piece of bridal advice came from my mother-in-law, she said to enjoy every single minute of wedding planning because soon it would be over and I would never been a “bride-to-be” again. Even in the stressful times, and the late nights planning, I tried to remember this. I reminded myself that all of the effort and energy that was going into our wedding day, was part of the ceremony and ritual of this important event. Now that it’s over…I have happiness and no regrets.
It’s so true- I always feel kind of bad about how weddings are over so quickly. You plan and plan and plan, and then all of a sudden- it’s over. But there’s nothing you can do except truly enjoy every moment, like Melinda said! Thank you for sharing your wedding insight with us Melinda! And a huge thank you to Jen Rodriguez Photography for sharing these gorgeous photos too!
So what do you all think of the yellow and green? I love when bright colors are used for a wedding. And what’s your favorite detail from this wedding? Mine- the “his and hers” favors of their favorite candy! Oh and the In-And-Out burgers look pretty amazing. I’ve never had one before but YUM!!
Vendors who made it all happen…
Lauren
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Lovely!! The cheerful color palette made me instantly happy:) So many gorgeous shots of this beautiful couple too! <3 the ones on the pond as well as the ones of them sitting in the yellow chairs. And how sweet is the little flower girl with her hair wreath?! <3!
Wow. This is so incredibly beautiful! I love the color combinations and how they really incorporated their personalities into the details. I hope my wedding will be this amazing some day!
This is absolutely gorgeous…I love the flowers, colors and general style…it’s casual but still so so special. Also adore the ribbons on the chairs…will have to think of that for my next event. Beautiful!!
Love this wedding and location! Looks awesome.
this was such a fun wedding to photograph and I am so super excited to see it being featured here!
love the bright and cheerful color palette and love love every detail they did here.
Such a fun color pallet! i’M ALSO USING GREEN BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES FOR MY WEDDING NEXT SPRING AND LOVE THE TONE OF THESE, ANYONE KNOW THE MANUFACTURER?
I know this was a year ago, but did you ever find out who those green bridesmaid dresses were by? I love that color too and have been searching for it.