Inspiration For A Valentine's Day At Home

Homey Date Night, Done Right

We love celebrating love!! With the outside world still a little hectic, we foresee many couples keeping their Valentine’s Day dates close to home this year. To help make the holiday still feel special, we collected a little inspiration on decorations, food, and flowers for you!

Bring Out The Kid At Heart

Reach wayyy back to a time when arts and crafts were a socially acceptable way to decorate, and get ready to whip out those safety scissors! This year decorate your home with home-made hearts and paper valentines. We love the idea of making this a pre-holiday date night idea for you and your significant other, or even a Galentine’s night. Check out your local craft store and see what options they have for Valentine’s Day, even if it’s just finding a ream of multi red-hued papers. Cut out hearts to string together or fold each piece of paper into an abstract shape to tape to the wall in a fun heart-shaped collage. Devoting a night to some quality time reveling in artsy nostalgia is sure to warm a few hearts.

Andrea David Photography

A Romantic Dinner For Two

We saw so many people hone their cooking skills during quarantine last year. Personally, we’re still not quite at Master Chef level. When we saw the article titled “24 Romantic Dinners Literally Anyone With an Hour and a Brain Can Make” by Elizabeth Stark and Annabel Iwegbue from Cosmopolitan, we felt a little more confident in ourselves. The recipes they’ve collected encompass multiple cultures, tastes, and dietary restrictions. Save the article and pick a recipe to wow your Valentine’s Day date with your cooking abilities!

Andrea David Photography

Dessert with a Surprising Kick!

Is it just us, or do chocolate-covered strawberries seem played out? Try some “Shots Through the Heart” instead! These deconstructed Strawberry Margaritas are a fun twist on an old favorite and perfect for those in the crowd who might have a darker sense of humor towards this holiday. We got this idea from Personal Touch Dining, and with it being fairly easy to make at home, we felt we had to share it with our readers. We found some adorable heart-shaped pipettes on Amazon that were under $10 and looked perfect for the job. After mixing up our favorite classic margarita, we filled each pipette with our marg and gently skewered each strawberry halfway through into the hollow center. When you’re ready to eat dessert, squeeze the pipette so the liquid fills the hollow center of the strawberry, and enjoy!

Catering: Personal Touch Dining Photo: Andrea David Photography

Don’t Forget The Flowers!

A lot can be said through some mini blooms and single-bud vases. Decorate your dining table at home using these and a sprinkle of votive candles for the perfect romantic ambiance! Mini bloom flowers like the ones below are easy to find and come in pretty sizable bunches; pair them with a few single roses or peonies for a tasteful arrangement. Start by placing one rose or another flower of your choice in a few vases for the center of your table. Trim the stems of your mini flowers as close to the petals as possible so that they lay flat. Place any number of these directly onto the tabletop around the vases and finish off the look with a few candles. Your table at home will transform into a sweet and dreamy location for your Valentine’s Day date, and you won’t break the bank buying massive bundles of roses!

Renata Amazonas Photography

We hope you have a safe and healthy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at The Old Rancho!

The Groom's Den

Located behind the built-in bar on the Lower Lawn Reception area, this private room is without a doubt the perfect place for the Groom and attached bridal party to relax before the ceremony. All the groomsmen will be sure to have the best time relaxing, enjoying their drinks and food, and most importantly, celebrating the Groom while applying their final touches to their wedding day attire.

Equipped with plenty of seating and storage space, our clients are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks to both the bride and groom’s rooms. This way, they have everything they need to enjoy their time here. We want everyone to be fully prepared for the big day ahead, and these are the perfect places for that!

The Bridal Suite

One of the best parts of your wedding day is those few hours right before the ceremony takes place. This is the time for brides to relax with their wedding party, take photos, or do a first look. We’re thrilled to offer our couples this special place to spend these key moments before they tie the knot!

Our bridal suite is attached to the main house, with all the creature comforts of getting ready at home. Cozy and charming with the vintage adobe floors and vaulted ceilings, this suite is equipped with plenty of fantastic lighting, mirrors, and counter space in the two bathrooms for final touches on makeup or hair.

Other room accessories include full-length mirrors, hooks to hang dresses, comfortable chairs, and ample lounging space indoors and outside at the private side patio. We allow clients to arrive two hours before their ceremony start time. Brides can chat with their bridesmaids, bring their own choice of food and beverages to snack on, and perfect their wedding ensembles before the big moment!

Everyone who got ready in our Bridal suite may leave their personal items there during the reception. Everything will be safe and secure, allowing for a worry-free night of partying! We will remove any trash left behind and do a thorough check for any accidentally forgotten items at the end of the evening.

Our Lower Garden

This area of our Rancho stuns our clients with how it feels so intimate yet simultaneously spacious.

Is it possible to make a space like this intimate garden look bigger after filling it up with tables? Apparently, it can be done! This garden getaway is tucked into the heart of our venue with lush natural beauty along its perimeter. With a second built-in bar for your guests, this shaded outdoor dining location is perfect for enchanting evenings surrounded by rich native plant life.

Alison Davis Photography

This flexible outdoor dining area works well for any event type.

We’ve seen elegant seated dinners, casual moving-style events, and everything in between. Depending on the mood of your event and what you know your guests will enjoy best, our Lower Garden can effortlessly adapt to your needs. Are your guests less likely to dance the night away, or would they rather stay at the tables to chat? From rounds to Farm Tables, there are endless arrangement layout combinations that will promote the best feel for your guests. Our Event Coordination Team will help customize the best option for your unique needs.

Alison Davis Photography

Minimize your décor costs!

When you’re already in the middle of so much bountiful greenery, there isn’t as much need for lavish floral décor. Eucalyptus and Pepper Tree branches are fantastic space fillers for long rope garlands, and bringing in similar greens as the scenery will make your event feel beautifully tied together. Or, save money by allowing your surroundings to do the hard work for you. Accent your dining tables with small blooms instead of green garlands and dazzle your guests with fun, artful metallic pieces.

Chuy Photography

Reach out for a floor layout recommendation for your event or any other décor ideas for this charming outdoor dining location!

Renata Amazonas Photography

Vendor Spotlight | Simply Adina Floral Design

We’re always excited to see Adina on vendor lists from our clients. As a vendor, she is passionately dedicated to her craft and her clients’ needs. Her work’s signature has no specific style other than immaculate excellence. Her versatility and experience shine through her masterfully crafted creations.

Photo: True Photography

She can build sleek modern bouquets dripping with old-world elegance for one event and then effortlessly switch gears to produce the most dreamy boho-chic wedding arch for another. We’ve never been anything but floored by the quantity and quality of her pieces. Any size or type of event can only benefit from her exquisite floral designs. No occasion is out of her wheelhouse, so whether it’s a holiday or corporate event, her magic knows no bounds.

Photo: True Photography

Working with her at events also quickly revealed her dazzling smile and warm glow. So kind and giving, it’s obvious the beauty of her art comes from a beautiful soul. She strives to make every tiny detail perfect for her clients, whom she’s embraced as a dear friend. Her energy and light are infectious, and we love having her here at our Rancho.

Photo: True Photography

Reach Out Today and bring the magic of Simply Adina Floral Design to your event!

Seating Chart Inspiration

It’s getting close to the big day. You never thought you’d have to choose between so many tiny details, and there’s one more hurdle you have to jump. The thought of going through your whole guest list and assigning every person a table or seat can seem intimidating. We get it. But don't be tempted to throw all caution to the wind, toss a big "Open Seating" sign out, and pray to the wedding Gods that all will work itself out. It never goes well.

Seating arrangements for your wedding will give your guests some direction and allow for a much smoother transition from Cocktail hour to formal dining. We cannot stress enough...We strongly recommend making a seating arrangement plan!

Singler Photography

There are endless options to choose from when deciding how to display seating charts.

It all depends on the couple’s unique personalities and what they feel is right for their guests. Most couples choose to have one large seating chart that guests can easily read during cocktail hour. This option saves a bit of time and money since it functions alone, without the second step of escort cards. You can assign guests to certain tables and allow guests to choose their seat and sit next to whoever they want within the table assignment.

We especially love when our couples get creative with their seating chart! All that really matters is that it’s easy for guests to read, but we’ve collected some of our favorite examples below for better inspiration. It’s always so fun to see what our couples come up with!

Petula Pea Photography

Have Some Artsy, Eco-Friendly Fun With It!

We’ve seen couples transform old windows, doors, window blinds, and even old chicken wire from their local flea market into incredible seating charts. Let your imagination go wild and find something to repurpose or re-recycle again after your big day. Almost anything can be made to look like wedding decor with a little help from your florist on the day-of. Go a step further and write your guests’ names on leaves! Silver Dollar Eucalyptus leaves have a ton of space, and if you mess one up, there’s planty more since they literally grow on trees.

Photo By Chana

Why Is This So Important?

In the best-case situation, your guests decide to steal chairs and place settings from one table to another. Not a big deal? Wrong.

Each tabletop, depending on the shape, place-setting design, and table size, has a seating limit so that everyone can sit and eat comfortably. Since that wasn’t made clear, now everyone is knocking elbows and eating off each other's plates.

Plus, what about the now awkwardly empty tables they took the settings and chairs from in the first place? They're sitting there making your reception look like Swiss Cheese! Big empty holes in the crowd will stick out when looking back at group pictures. The dining space will seem patchy and threadbare, like moth-eaten cloth, and your photographer will have to avoid large whole-room shots.

Kami Olavarria Photography

Another sticky situation to consider is how people tend to collect in familiar Cliques. Rarely will your close friends and family members naturally intermingle. You can’t really blame them for choosing instead to socialize with those they are already familiar with. Weddings are supposed to be about connecting and expanding relationships, not just bunching off into small groups like in a cafeteria lunchroom. Seating charts are just a nudge in the right direction!

So we implore you: Please do future-you a favor and plan those seating arrangements!

Your guests will appreciate it, and you'll avoid any awkward seating choices for guests to make, especially if they don't know many people or come alone.

Jordan Elizabeth Photography

Here are some tips for the planning process:

• No Procrastinating: give yourself about three weeks, from the start to the last seat, to map everyone.

  • Giving yourself this much time on the project will ensure that nobody gets forgotten.

  • There are bound to be late additions and cancelations. If everything is figured out weeks before the event, it won’t be such a task to add or subtract a seat or two from a table!

Brogen Jessup Photography

We suggest organizing and displaying guest's names alphabetically for easy searching, since organizing people by their table may take longer to find.

• This project is all you’ve been thinking about for a hot minute. While it makes more sense on the planning side to display the arrangements where you finally decided to place them, everyone’s first inclination is to look for their names alphabetically. The biggest issue we see with seating charts is that someone skipped over their own name after searching through all the tables. We’ve been wired since we first learned the alphabet to think this way, make it easy on your guests and yourself.

Vee Taylor Photography

Follow these steps, and the issues we mentioned won't be a second thought, allowing you to truly enjoy your big day!

Trendy 2021 Spring Wedding Design Concepts

We’ve Got That Spring Fever!

** To clarify: We mean that the newest 2021 Spring wedding trends are making us crazy excited for the start of this coming wedding season. Otherwise, thankfully, we are very healthy.**

Between centerpieces, wedding ensembles, signature drinks, and decor, we’ve collected a bit of every Spring-spiration you could need!

For example, what event atmosphere could be more perfect for a sunny Spring day than a Garden Party? Our Lower Garden area transforms into a blooming paradise during that time of year. Use all of that natural beauty to your benefit! With much of the floral decor already present, incorporate some gorgeous Farm Tables and other natural-wood decors in softer weathered colors to complement a pastel color pallet. We love the look of a complete set, matching tables and chairs, to collect the look you're going for in one fell swoop. This particular design choice also allows for less elaborate centerpiece decor since so much of the look resides in the furniture, so you can save a bit on florals!

Photo: Renata Amazonas

Speaking of table centerpieces, our recommendation? Keep it simple, delicate, and sweet.

A collection of vintage single bud vases and some candles are all you’d need to achieve a soft Spring look on your dining tables. Depending on your design preferences, accenting this look with some fun metallic geometric shapes or an accessory that defines you and your partner would be the perfect way to finish off the tablescape.

Photo: Renata Amazonas

In 2021, the wedding wardrobe is looking light!

We’re seeing lots of this beautiful platinum gray in both bridesmaid’s dresses and groomsmen's suits. It creates a subtle but sturdy base for many color pallets, not only Spring, and compliments a wide range of accent colors. You really can’t go wrong pairing it with a pop of pink to warm it up, a unique energizing sage for some fun, or even a more mysterious lavender. Greens are especially trendy this year, so feel free to explore that Spring color pallet!

If you’re having a Spring garden party, a lounge area for cocktail hour is essential.

We love lounges that complement our historic Spanish influence around our Rancho. For a Springtime event, the white Mexican Equipale chairs and sofas can be the focal area for your guests to relax while they enjoy refreshments. We’ve also seen gorgeous vintage sets help set the tone for a beautiful Spring inspired wedding.

Justice Photography

Where there’s a Garden Party, there might be tea…

We don’t mean your Grandmother’s tea; we’re talking about something iced and probably spiked! Create a fun signature cocktail to serve your guests while they enjoy the Spring sunshine. They’ll love trying something fresh and new that reminds them of you. Garnish each with an edible flower to really seal the deal.

Looking to fan this Spring Fever flame?

Check out our Pinterest for even more inspiration!

Farm Table Décor Inspiration

Table Trimmings And Garden Glory!

When deciding how to have your dining tables and centerpieces set, there tends to be much more to it than originally considered.  Chargers or none? Which type of plate? Silver or gold cutlery? Napkin color and fold? Favors? Garlands or vases? It just goes on and on. For those of us who aren't exactly visual, there might be too many details to imagine together.

Thankfully, we're here to help! We asked our talented coordination team here at The Old Rancho, and these are some of our favorite and most diverse examples of tabletop decor ideas. Hopefully, this helps narrow your search for decor and provide a bit more to visualize.

Photo: Chuy Photography

Spacious and Authentic

Many couples feel that the farm tables fit the tone that carries over from our historic Hacienda. Farm Tables also allow more elbow room for guests and space for large exciting centerpieces! The beautiful polished wood works so well with our Lower Lawn Reception Area. Surrounded by so much natural beauty, clients are drawn to the rustic romantic feel and want to emphasize it.

Photo: Chuy Photography

Tablescape Possibilities

There are endless combinations of glassware, silverware, chargers, and plates that we have available to make your tables look perfect on the big day. All it takes is some imagination! Start with a theme or mood you and your partner want to be the center of your motif. From there, napkin colors to centerpieces will start to fall into place. We love the rustic, “broody and beautiful” motif from Desire and Julian’s wedding here. Dark maroons, black, and bronze metallics brought an enchanting charm to our garden.

Photo: Chuy Photography

Looking For More Inspiration?

Check out our Pinterest Page or reach out and ask our team of experienced Event Coordinators!

Boozy Holiday Brunch Cocktails

Make Your Holiday Brunch Even More Jolly!

This holiday season, we're thankful only to be catching Cabin Fever if all goes well. Here in Carlsbad, California, it looks like we'll be confined to our homes for the holiday, but on a lighter note, that means no need for a designated driver! We figured we could take our time crafting a couple of cocktails while we unwrap gifts this year. By the time you try each of our boozy holiday brunch drinks, being stuck inside for the holidays will never have looked so good.

Typically, the drinks we offer at our events through Personal Touch Dining are Spring or Summer themed since our event season ends mid-November. We get rave reviews over their Grapefruit Mojito, and they even offer "Logo Cocktails" now! These are the newest way to send a message while delighting your impressed guests! Imagine each of these holiday drinks with your signature logo on top for the perfect viral social media post. Make your friends Grinchy-green with envy over your immaculate custom cocktail presentation this season!

If you're like us, we're looking to take the nostalgia of a perfect Rancho Christmas and mix in a little extra fun. The joy of Christmas morning is something we’ll never forget, and now that we’re a little older, celebrating with an adult beverage sounds incredible. We’ve collected our favorite recipes for every kind of Christmas brunch beverage we could think of, but if we left one out, let us know!

Christmas Coffee

Sleepy Christmas mornings need coffee, no buts about it. So, get ready for our special recipe because this is not your typical holiday Starbucks run. We figured a peppermint mocha might be played out since we’ve all been slurping these down since November 6th this year in hopes that they’d raise our post-election, quarantine-warn spirits. Instead, we went for a chocolate caramel brulee feel that’s like drinking a strong hug!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces strong coffee

• 1 1/2 ounces amaretto liqueur

• 1 1/2 ounces coffee liqueur

• 1 ounce butterscotch schnapps

• 1 ounce creme de cocoa

• fresh whipped cream

• grated chocolate, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine strong coffee and liqueurs in a glass. Stir to combine and top with fresh whipped cream. Garnish with grated chocolate.

Serve warm or over ice.

Christmas Morning Mimosa

Brunch and mimosas go together like Santa and the color red! This super easy recipe adds depth of flavor to your everyday mimosa as well as a bit of holiday color to your cheeks!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces of champagne

• 2 ounces of orange juice

• 1/2 ounce Amaretto

• 1/2 ounce grenadine

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pour the orange juice and Amaretto into a wide-mouthed champagne glass. Add champagne to top it off.

Slowly pour in the grenadine until it settles to the bottom of the glass, and serve!

The Grinchy Mary

Ok, we’re pretty obsessed with how light and easy to drink this is! This drink requires a bit more prep than the others we listed, but it’s undeniably worth it. Tomatillos have a slightly more acidic, slightly less sweet flavor than ripe and unripe tomatoes. Overall, the flavor is more vegetal and bright, and the interior texture is denser and less watery. The Grinchy Mary ends up being easier to drink than a traditional bloody, and with some fun bright red garnish, it’ll be a work of art!

(Not a vodka fan? Trade it out for some Blanco tequila and rim the glass with Tajin to transform it into the Grinchy Maria!)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3 tomatillos, chopped and husked (1½ cups)

• ½ green apple, chopped

• 1 jalapeño, stemmed and chopped

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

• 1 sprig each parsley and cilantro

• 1 small clove garlic

• 1 teaspoon each salt and Worcestershire

• ½ teaspoon green hot sauce

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• ⅛ teaspoon celery seed

• 4 ounces vodka or Blanco tequila

TO SERVE:

• Garnish with your choice of green and red veggies (such as lime wedges, red cherry tomatoes, miniature pickles, red peppers, spicy pickled green beans, and celery sticks!)

• Horseradish

• Hot sauce

• Salt (or Tajin for extra color and spice, especially if you have it with tequila!)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all ingredients, except vodka, to a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the blender's sides as needed.

Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve; * discard solids.

Fill two glasses with ice and pour 2 ounces of vodka into each glass. Divide tomato mixture between glasses and stir to combine—season with additional lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and salt to desired taste.

We love the idea of a topping bar for guests to dress their own Grinchy Marys to their taste!

***Does that seem like too much work for your Christmas Morning?***

(Try making the bloody mix the night before and chilling it overnight in the fridge! Or, better yet, get it premade. Check out The Dirty Mary (Farm-to-Table Bloody Mary Mix) from Food52.com! It’s 32 ounces of deliciousness, and they take care of combining all of the ingredients so that you can relax!)

We hope you enjoy these holiday breakfast cocktails!

All we ask is that you enjoy these drinks responsibly, and please remember to share the love, not our germs, this holiday season!

Our Top 8 Favorite Appetizers

There’s An “App” For Every Crowd!

Our favorite Event Caterer, Personal Touch Dining, has a wide variety of appetizers for our clients to pick from. They’ve made it their mission to offer delicious options to accommodate all your needs depending on your personal tastes or dietary restrictions. From sweet and savory to fresh and light, they’ve got it all! We’ve collected some of our personal favorites to help show the spectrum of bite-sized morsels you could have at your future event!

Bring Out The Beef!

#1: Barbeque Brisket Sliders Topped with Rainbow Slaw

What says “Party!” Better than bite-sized burgers?

Warm, savory, and sandwiched between two toasted pretzel buns, your crew will go crazy the minute they smell these BBQ Brisket Sliders coming their way.

A “Best Selling” appetizer would have to be this funky Asian-American fusion: The Philly Cheese-Steak Egg Rolls!

Dip-able and downright sinful, these savory eggrolls are hearty hand-stuffed meaty morsels. Packed full of melty cheese and bell peppers along with the steak, these rolls are sure to wow your guests!

#2: Philly Cheese-Steak Egg Rolls with Creamy Cheese Dipping Sauce

Check Out This Chicken!

#3: Chicken And Waffle Skewers with Maple Syrup and Topped with Crunchy Bacon Bits

A little sweet, a little salty, a lot of delicious!

A twist on a time-tested classic, these Chicken and Waffle Skewers are a full breakfast on one bite! Perfect for any occasion, your guests will love the look and taste of this familiar favorite.

Looking for something a little more high-end?

Try their Chicken Cordon Bleu Croquettes! Sophisticated, elegant, and oh so flavorful, impress your guests with these appetizers fit for a king.

#4: Chicken Cordon Bleu Croquettes Topped with a Bleu Cheese Mousse

Fantastic Fish Appetizers!

#5: Ahi Poke Tacos Mixed in a light Ponzu Sauce, Dressed with Wasabi Cream, and Sprinkled with Sesame Seeds

Fresh and Fun!

Another terrific cultural food fusion, the Ahi Poke Taco gets rave reviews from guests. The most frequent comment we receive is, “I don’t usually like fish, but these were great!” Crunchy, fresh, familiar, yet new, these are a must-have at your next event.

Decadent Delightful

We jokingly call this one the appetizer for the “Rich and Famous.” It’s rich because of the creamy Mac ‘n Cheese bite exploding with cheese, topped with the bright, flavorful aioli and succulent lobster piece. It’s famous because everybody asks us about it!

#6: Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bites Topped with Garlic Chive Aioli and Fresh Lobster

Enticing Vegetarian Bites

#7: Pear and Gorgonzola Flat Bread Pizza with Caramelized Onions and a Balsamic Glaze

Pizza with Pears?!

Yup. We can’t get enough of this savory creation. There’s a huge depth of flavor between the Gorgonzola and Balsamic Glaze balanced out by the juicy pears. It’s one appetizer that’ll make the harshest critics of Pineapple on pizza rethink their stance a bit.

Mouth-watering Mediterranean Morsels

We love stuffed mushroom caps! These fun guys are fit to burst with flavor from the creamy risotto, literally. (We actually advise our guests to pop the whole thing in your mouth when you eat them.) All the flavor and juice from the tender mushroom cap surprises hungry guests when they try to go for a dainty bite.

#8: Creamy Risotto Stuffed Mushroom Caps with Spinach, Artichoke, and Sundried Tomatoes

They also offer vegan and gluten-free options for even more incredible appetizers!

Whether you're having a corporate event, holiday party, or celebration, Personal Touch Dining has the perfect bite-sized appetizer for your special occasion. We're sure each one will excite and delight your hungry guests.

Reach out and ask about their full menu today!

Real Rancho Weddings | Samantha + Collin

Let’s TACO-bout Love!

Collin and Samantha’s magical day here at our Rancho was all about the “Three F’s”: Family, Friends, and FUN! From Taco Bars to donut bars, this was the party of the year. Thanks to the collaboration with Sassy Little Bee Event Coordination and the incredible photos from Renata Amazonas Photography, we can show the world how special this wedding was!

Samantha and her entourage of bridesmaids and family members finished putting on the final details to their wedding-day ensembles in our Bridal Suite. The room’s energy was bubbly and sparkling with excitement, perfect to match the abundance of champagne that they brought!

Before too many guests arrived, Renata Amazonas gathered the love birds in our Welcome Courtyard for the First Look. This courtyard is perfect for an intimate moment like this. The wedding day, while fun, can get pretty hectic! First Looks give the happy couple a minute to themselves before the party starts.

Once enough guests arrived, Sassy Little Bee Coordination guided everyone to their seats and lined-up the Bridal Party for the ceremony! This enthusiastic flower girl nearly stole the show but was the perfect way to proceed Samantha down the aisle.

We love the way ceremonies turn out in our Upper Garden! The secluded area is lush with natural beauty, and our sunny Carlsbad weather means you can let the garden do all the work creating a romantic atmosphere.

After exchanging vows and “I Do’s,” we love watching glowing couples come back down the aisle. It’s hard not to burst with happiness when your clients look like this!

Guests were encouraged to make their way downstairs to the reception area for cocktail hour with RG Bar Services while the bridal party celebrated outside of our Bridal Suite.

Renata Amazonas made sure to capture the love birds in some of our favorite photo spots around our Rancho, including this historic seating area in our Welcome Courtyard.

Adore Folklore and Farm Tables & More came together to create this incredible secret garden retreat on our Lower Lawn. This space is intimate yet spacious enough to fit your guests for a cozy and warm environment surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

Mexico City Cuisine set up a delicious Mexican Buffet with a Taco Bar and steaming sides on our built-in bar! Guests raved about the wide selection of topping choices for their tacos, and many came back for seconds.

After dinner, HVK Entertainment helped lead toasts and the special dances, such as the First Dance and Mother and Father Dances, before opening up the dancefloor to everyone for the rest of the night!

VG’s Bakery brought a mouth-watering spread of sugar-glazed dreams for dessert. Donuts of every flavor, shape, and size accompanied the delicious wedding cake! Guests helped themselves to the donuts as they danced and enjoyed the remainder of the evening.

We were so honored to be a part of this beautiful celebration of love!

Thanks, Colling and Samantha, for choosing our Rancho for such a special day, and we wish you both all the best in your bright future together!

Huge thanks also go to Sassy Little Bee Event Coordination for putting together such a fun day with a fantastic team of vendors!

We couldn’t do what we love without the hard work from everyone!

Vendors

Coordination: Sassy Little Bee

Photography: Renata Amazonas

Videography: Blue Tiger Films

Musicians: The Electric Mud

Catering: Mexico City Cuisine

Bartending: RG Bar Services

Tables: Farm Tables & More

Rentals: Adore Folklore

DJ: HVK Entertainment

Florals: Intentional Blooms

Cake: VG’s Bakery

Vendor Spotlight | Bill Calhoun Mobile Music

Bill Calhoun Mobile Music

Photo by Dapper Images

Every Memorable Moment Should Have Music!

Weddings, Corporate Events, Anniversaries, Birthdays, or Reunions, Bill Calhoun Mobile Music does it all! They offer Disc Jockey / Master-of-Ceremonies (DJ/MC), Sound Reinforcement, Wireless Mics, Battery-powered Ceremony Sound System, and Lighting Effects. The music played is tailor-fit to your occasion and preferences, from the Latest Hits and Classic Party Songs to Contemporary Jazz, Country, Big Band, Latin, and other genres, ethnicities, and styles. You can even select your favorite songs from the '50s, '60s, ‘70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s, and today in the Client Area of their website! They’re experts at keeping your guests entertained, informed, and having the best time. Trust them always to be professional and prepared for any situation. They will treat your important details with respect and on time so you can relax and enjoy your party!

The Man Behind The Music

According to their website, DJ/MC and founder Bill Calhoun have been the disc jockey for parties, corporate events, and wedding receptions for over 15 years. He has been the DJ for over 900 wedding receptions, and we love recommending him to our clients! Bill has worked in commercial radio, been the voice of the Del Mar Fair, and is the Master of Ceremonies of various Fair events and contests each year. Bill is friendly, fun, and very professional. Your event is in good hands with him around!

Contact Bill Now!

Reach out to Bill Calhoun and his team via phone, email, or directly through his website!

Phone: 619-583-7779

Email:  Info@DJForWedding.com

Website: Bill Calhoun Mobile Music

Real Rancho Weddings | Desire + Julian | Chuy Photography

We’re so excited to share these pictures from Julian and Desire’s wedding and reception here at our Rancho! From the florals to the tablescape, we were absolutely blown away by how perfectly all of their little details fit the natural charm here! Sassy Little Bee Wedding Coordination knew exactly what they were doing to make this couple’s wedding dreams come to life.

Classicly handsome with a broody bad-boy vibe, we’re living for Julian’s all-black wedding ensemble. Who wouldn’t swoon a bit with this guy at the other end of the aisle?

In our Bridal Suite, Desire added a few final touches to her own wedding look! This dress is a romantic cloud of dreamy moments, and we cannot get enough.

Sugar Rose Flowers incorporated all that broody beautiful romance into this exquisite bridal bouquet with luscious maroon, burgundy, and deepest plum blooms.

Our Upper Garden is the perfect romantic location for an intimate outdoor ceremony!

Once all the guests were seated, the magic of this heartfelt ceremony captured the hearts of everyone there.

Sugar Rose Flowers perfectly framed the ceremony arch in an explosion of gorgeous silvery eucalyptus. Such an incredible backdrop for the big “I Do!”

The contrast of the darker accent colors with the gold and champagne bridesmaids dresses is gorgeous and so clever! This is one way to create drama without losing natural radiance in your overall aesthetic.

Our Lower Lawn area was all decked out in these beautiful Farm Tables from Wonder Event Rentals. Looking to jazz-up your event floor through a bold table layout? The long feasting table style like this fits well in our space, and adding a bit of an angle means everyone can still see the sweetheart table!

Take your garden party, but add a little Spice. This tablescape is elegant, classic, and romantic thanks to the gold flatware and gorgeous water goblets from Platinum Event Rentals.

With the reception dinner in full swing, we can appreciate how spacious our private Lower Garden is! Guests are always impressed by all the natural beauty surrounding them.

Radiant in their wedded bliss, the lovebirds finally got a chance to eat and relax while they listened to toasts.

After dinner, HVK Entertainment DJ Services brought the newlyweds out to the dancefloor for their first dance as husband and wife!

Hey There, Cupcake went all out on this incredible cake for Desire and Julian! Coated in rich dark chocolate, and slashed with gold, this towering dessert perfectly matched their dramatic romantic theme for the day.

We were so happy to have this amazing couple’s special day with us here at our Rancho! Such beautiful souls like theirs deserve all their wedding dreams to come true, and we are always delighted to provide the perfect location. Thanks again to Sassy Little Bee Wedding Coordination for finding a way to put all these wonderful details together, and thanks to Julian and Desire for bringing so much love to our Rancho. We wish you two all the best in your bright future to come.

Vendors:

Chuy Photography

Sassy Little Bee Wedding Coordination

Wonder Event Rentals

Platinum Event Rental

HVK Entertainment DJ Services

Hey There, Cupcake!

Sugar Rose Flowers

Our Top 5 First Look Locations!

Enjoy the Magic of Your First Look in Our 5 Favorite Must-Have-Moment Locations!

The idea of a "First Look" comes highly recommended by wedding professionals, but it's still debated among couples. The time-honored--yet undoubtedly superstitious--practice of not seeing your significant other until the actual wedding ceremony pervades this magical day. Many couples insist on waiting, while others opt for a First Look hoping to ease wedding-day nerves--or to make sure they enjoy cocktail hour with their guests.

Our Rancho weddings come with tons of obvious perks, but every corner of the grounds itself is an opportunity for that priceless shot! The original architecture enchants with its rustic charm, and the surrounding landscapes offer endless artful photo opportunities. With over 20 acres of land, our couples take advantage of every inch that we offer.

If you end up going for the big pre-ceremony reveal a First Look provides, our experts selected 5 of their favorite spots around our Old Rancho that are perfect for this special moment!

Justice Photography

1. The Welcome Courtyard

One of our most iconic areas, known for the coexistence of wild natural beauty and gorgeous historic style. This otherworldly combination of plants and Spanish tiles create the most stunning boho backdrop for a First Look.

Justice Photography

2. The Upper Patio

Our experts are serious in stating that a first look does not spoil the ceremony. We think that you'll be overwhelmed with emotion no matter what, so if you want to see your partner, don't skip it. Why not have two magical moments on your special day?

Chuy Photos

The symmetrical aesthetic of this location, just inside the Welcome Patio, creates the most satisfying eye-candy pictures!

Justice Photography

This shaded space offers lots of elbow room for photographers to find those dramatic angles.

Renata Amazonas Photography

3. The Lower Patio Steps

This multifaceted space is capable of every romantic's deep-rooted desire to have a bride glide down the steps towards her future husband. We can't get enough of the potential this secluded spot offers.

In general, private moments for a Bride and Groom are far and few between. A First Look is an excellent decision for couples who want to spend some quiet time together before the ceremony. It gives the love birds a moment before the day officially starts to connect and take a deep breath.

Privacy is a privilege on your big day. It's a whirlwind once guests arrive, and having a first look gives you and your partner a few moments together before all of your family and friends surround you.

4. The Old Barn

Don't forget that timing is critical! If you're having a winter ceremony, First Look photos are essential if you want portraits taken with natural light. The sun will be down between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., so this it's your chance for pictures in the sun.

Fonyat Wedding Photography

Our Old Barn THRIVES during golden hour. Photographers eat up the contrasts of weathered wood and polished wedding attire.

Chuy Photos

The Old Barn shines at every angle too! The ancient wood reclaimed by nature is perfect for the couple looking to make a statement with their First Look pictures.

Justice Photography

As our second-most iconic location, the Old Barn offers the most versatility of any other landmark on our grounds. Explore around to each side for four completely different stunning backdrops.

Chuy Photos

5. Explore the Exterior Grounds

There's just something otherworldly about an open field. The right photographer can transform a sparse meadow of sticks into a landscape of wonder. The Exterior Grounds are a blank canvas for the imaginative couple seeking romance, magic, and a little bit of classic rustic charm.

Chuy Photos

There are countless locations around the Rancho for your perfect First Look!

No matter where you turn, gorgeous rustic architecture, natural wild desert beauty, and opportunities for must-have moments are all around!

The First Look is definitely a "Must-Have-Moment," so ask our team of talented coordinators exactly where your First Look should be at The Old Rancho!