Your Guide To Hosting An Elegant Outdoor Micro-Wedding
Can we give some serious props to the wedding experts? It's only been a little over a year, and they have managed to reimagine what weddings look like. This COVID-friendly micro-wedding setup at Sunstone Winery doesn't look like an afterthought or a compromise, it looks like the extravagant celebration that it is. Smaller guest lists mean more budget for elegant touches like a lounge for cocktail hour and a plated dinner–it means more customizations, so you can turn the venue into a space that is truly unique to your wedding.
Heather Benge designed this outdoor inspiration shoot at Sunstone Winery to show couples how elegant a COVID-friendly wedding can be. When choosing an outdoor space, it is important to select a destination that has temperate weather or can easily accommodate a tent for a rain plan. Outdoor weddings are also at an advantage when it comes to decoration because the natural landscape provides the perfect bones for the florist to embellish on, like Cece Floral Designs LLC did with this stunning arbor that mimics the vines that are already growing up the walls of the stone villa. The Fourniers captured every detail of this fun shoot so beautifully, the color pallette shines through in every photo! To get more inspiration from this shoot, check out the full gallery. Read on to hear more from Photographers, Leidy and Josh.
SAFE AND STYLISH
This inspirational editorial took place at the beautiful Sunstone Winery in the mountains of Santa Ynez. The purpose of this shoot is to provide inspiration to couples currently having to pivot or plan an outdoor wedding due to continued restrictions during this pandemic. The editorial was designed by the talented Heather Benge and perfectly executed by her team at Styled Shoots Across America.
A LITTLE ELEVATION GOES A LONG WAY
There was a heavy focus on florals and gold accents to elevate the overall feel and decor. The invitation suite set the tone with its soft pastel colors and floral designs. The bridal gown was handpicked for its whimsical style and was the perfect accessory for this setting. The groom wore a light gray suit to complement the garden theme and tie in the overlooking mountains.
HOW TO SPOIL YOUR GUESTS
The reception space was designed to be intimate yet elegant. There was a cozy lounge area to inspire brides to spoil their guests, even more so in intimate weddings. To further highlight the earthy elements of the beautiful outdoors, the tablescape was decorated with a large floral arrangement, and wedding favors consisted of a lavender bunch and charcuterie board engraved with the couple's initials. Candles were included in the decor to add a touch of romance, which will be perfectly highlighted by the sunset over the mountains.
- Cakes & Catering: Nicole Bakes Cakes
- Charcuterie Boards: Legacy House Creative
- Couple: Megan Farley
- Couple: Brent Butler
- Event Planning & Design: Heather Benge
- Flowers: Cece Floral Designs LLC
- Groom & His Men: The Modern Groom
- Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Sunkissed And Made Up
- Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Invitations By Whitney
- Photographers: The Fourniers
- Rentals: Party Pleasers
- Rentals: Nuage Design
- Venues: Sunstone Winery
- Wedding Dresses: Styled Gowns