2018 is a year of new challenges, goals and adventures…and to start us off, here is our first photography blog post and first styled wedding session! What are your new year’s resolutions? Honestly I’m not much of a writer and have been pushing myself for the past two years to start blogging more, but woohooo challenge officially accepted as I type this now.

When I saw Katie Hammond’s Burgundy Romantic Winter Elopement announcement, I was beyond excited to join my first styled shoot. I shoot quite a few weddings and events throughout the year, but this really gave me an opportunity to exercise my creativity in a comfortable environment with other fellow photographers. By the way, our shooting group rocked! And to top it off, it was set in gorgeous Sacred Mountain, Julian. My sister-in-law and her husband just fell in love with Julian the first time they visited and have been telling me forever to go visit. And I’m glad I did, it’s a dream to shoot up here. What a charming hidden gem this place is. It’s hard to believe it’s only an hour or so between Temecula and San Diego. It’s like you’re in a whole different state being up in the mountains, away from all the freeways, traffic and congestion. Literally a breath of fresh air!

Katie did an amazing job setting up the shoot and coordinating the vendors. Everything from the models, flowers, reception details and cake, it all absolutely complimented the elegantly rustic theme. Throughout the shoot, I had to put my camera down to soak up all the beauty. It just looked so surreal through the viewfinder, like is this place real!? And if it couldn’t get any better, Katie surprised us with the fact that we would be shooting with horses in the last half of the day, ahhhhhh! I just had to stay until the very end, right after sunset. That’s a little teaser for the next blog, but in the meantime, check out some favorite shots from the Burgundy Romantic Winter Elopement, enjoy!!! =)

-Mel

Vendors:
Venue – Sacred Mountain Julian
Designer – Katie Hammond Photography
Calligraphy – Bloom Stationery Co.
Vows – Sam Allen Creates
Cake – Sweetmaplecreations
Wine – Jen Maldonado @winetastingjen
Florals – Studio 2053 Floral and Event Design
Hair + Makeup – Bridalbyhaydee and The Bristle Hair and Makeup Artistry
Gowns – D’Angelo Couture
Horses – Sacred Mountain’s Integrity Stables Integrity Stables
Menswear – Stitch And Tie
Ring boxes – The Mrs. Box
Models:
Bride & Groom – Lesli Griffin Jones & Spencer @poinsett78
Bridesmaid – Kaila Cotler @kcotler
Bridesmaid – Rebecca Jesslyn Rebecca Jesslyn

Vendors:  Venue – Sacred Mountain Julian (IG: @sacredmountainjulian), Designer/Stylist – Katie Hammond Photography (IG: @katiehammondphotog), Calligraphy – Bloom Stationery Co (IG:@bloomstationeryco), Vows – Sam Allen (IG:@samallencreates), Cake – Sweet Maple Creations (IG: @sweet_maple_creations), Wine – Jen Maldonado (IG:@winetastingjen), Florals – Studio 2053 (IG:@studio2053_floral_eventdesign), Hair + Makeup – Bridal by Haydee (IG:@bridalbyhaydee and @thebristlehair), Gowns – D’Angelos Couture (IG: dangelo_bridal), Menswear – Stitch & Tie (@stitchandtie), Models: Bride & Groom – Lesli (IG:@leslihope) & Spencer (IG: @poinsett78), Bridesmaid – Kaila Cotler (IG:@kcotler), Bridesmaid – Rebecca Jesslyn (IG:@rebeccajesslyn)