Andrea and Andres’ wedding reception was held at a private estate in the hills near the church where they held their ceremony. While the bridal entourage took pictures in the expansive backyard overlooking the beautiful California skyline, guests mingled at the front of the estate, entertained by live mariachi music and light cocktails. The wedding, from ceremony to reception, had an old-world feel that came across beautifully in the décor, food, style, and venue.
The backyard was transformed for the Muller wedding (with the family even re-landscaping part of it for the lounge), featuring a polished wood dance floor with floating pink lanterns, a lounge at the fringe of the party, and several family-style tables adorned with flowers and food. The small orange trees that peppered the dance floor, combined with the blooms floating in the permanent garden fountain, helped create a perfect setting for the laid-back, family wedding.
The white guest tables were draped with blue-green burlaps and lined with bunches of spring blossoms such as roses, ranunculus, parrot tulips, garden roses, and other similar blooms atop hunks of driftwood. Blooms were also found in mason jars that had been painted in a chic, vintage style (with a pale blue drip around the rim of each jar). Escort cards, table numbers, and menus all matched in style and color, and coordinated beautifully with the other stationary that led up to the event: programs and invitations.
The focus of the wedding was definitely the dance floor – it was full of guests throughout the duration of the evening – though most people did find time to make trips to the bar (where margaritas and wine dominated the menu) and to eat the delicious dinner prepared by famous Orange County food truck, Barcelona on the Go. Guests also indulged in one of the event’s several cakes, featuring flavors such as succulent chocolate, tiramisu, and red velvet.
The reception space was filled with color throughout the entire evening. Pinks, oranges, whites, yellows, and greens faded to a warm glow as the lanterns became the primary focus of the evening. It looked as if this backyard was meant to host Andres and Andreas’ reception!
Styling by Sugar and Fluff
The use of beautiful spring blooms throughout the rest of the ceremony, highlighted in the attendants flower crowns and the bride’s colorful bouquet, was very suited to the season. By integrating berries and greenery into her bouquet and the boutonnieres of the groom and groomsmen, the bride gave guests the impression that she had just picked and arranged the flowers herself.
The bride was stunning and gorgeous as she approached her future husband with her father to a soft, sung rendition of “Pie Jesu.” The guests had been treated to equally powerful and beautiful organ music as they filed in to the pews before the ceremony, and the musical mood was maintained through the recessional. The delicate white fabric of Andrea’s dress bunched at the hip and wrapped daintily to the side, begging the same whimsical feeling as the blooms dapped delicately throughout the pews and halls of the church.
The bilingual (English/Spanish) ceremony itself was steeped in an abundance love and genuine familial affection, and was led by an officiant with whom both the bride and groom had a deep personal relationship that had been forged during their time in college. The full Catholic mass was glued together with lessons of love and gratitude, and a special tribute to the parents of the couple. The ceremony concluded with a unity candle lighting and communion taken by both the couple and their guests.
Guests waved Andres and Andrea off as they boarded a beautifully decorated classic car and rode off into the hills for the reception.
Next Time: Andres and Andrea’s Spectacular Wedding Reception!
Tell a Story
Remember, your vows are your own and there is no wrong way to write them. The best you can do is relax, open your heart, and keep it short!
