This rainy rustic wedding at Ethereal Open Air Resort was one we will never forget. There was so amount of weather that could’ve dampened the spirits of Lisa or John. We met the couple a few months ago for their engagement session and after exchanging lines from the movie Anchorman, lighting off smoke bombs on the horse trails, and popping off champagne we need it was a match made in heaven. These two had their perfect wedding day at Ethereal Open Air Resort. The vibe was casual and rustic with country accents.

The rain poured down as the girls arrived at the bridal suites. We lied low and had a ton of fun clinking champagne flutes and admiring the bouquets created by Simply Adina Floral. A very special touch to the bride’s was a charm containing her fathers ashes delicately fastened to her bouquet. We walked to the ceremony site clinging to umbrellas as we gasped at the amazing golden haze in the sky. The water trickled down from the roof of the barn ceremony. The doors swiftly swung open to reveal a smiling John beneath the ceremony arbor. Lisa escorted by her brother walked down the petal strewn ceremony aisle. Fairy light lanterns illuminating the way.

Smiling from ear to ear she joined hands with John as Lisa’s long time friends began to officiate their wedding, well after the bride and groom took a selfie with all of their loved ones in the background of their barn ceremony. It was time for the ring exchange and to have a little fun John was handed a giant sized ring to place on his new bride. The laughter throughout the ceremony was infectious. The officiants included the answers the bride and groom gave to a few questions they were asked a few weeks before the ceremony, which made everything feel so special. For example, “John, what was your first impression of Lisa?” John’s answer: “HOT DAMN.” And then the answer to the question of when each of them knew that the other was “the one” they both answered by reminiscing on the same exact day, goose bumps covered my arms.

After sealing the deal with a kiss we were able to capture some wedding portraits of the newlyweds in the barn until we were blessed with a break in the rain. By this time the sky was painted with the most beautiful ocean shades of blue. We walked around the grounds at Ethereal Open Air Resort, photographing the couple as they soaked it all in.

We returned the newlyweds so that Lisa could change into her cowgirl boots before it was time to party. The reception tent was decorated so beautifully. Iron candelabras and lanterns with fairy lights graced the long wooden farm tables. Beautiful trees were placed around the poles to the tent inviting the outside in. A surprise surfboard awaited John at the couple’s sweetheart table. His reaction was priceless!

Everyone danced and stuffed their faces with some delicious donuts from the iconic Peterson’s Donut Corner. Polaroids gave guests a chance to take some photos of their own as the memories were made. We ended the night run circles around Lisa & John as they embraced beneath the stars in a teepee on the open field at Ethereal Open Air Resort. John Dipped his bride as they shared a kiss while friends and family hovered sparklers above. A shimmering finale to mark the start of a new beginning. Lisa & John we are wishing you so much happiness and love! We can’t wait to see the honeymoon adventures from New York, Paris, and Iceland!

The Love Story…As Told by Lisa

We were actually set up. One of my clients, Natalie, kept telling me about this great guy that I just had to meet, her husband used to be his boss at the fire station. So the 4 of us went to stone for a little meet up and it was just easy from the beginning. The four of us stayed and talked awhile and then they left and John and I stayed and talked until they closed. He was just easy to talk to and be around. We had our first alone date the next week at Tommy V’s and John says that he knew on that day. He says that I showed up in a dress and we talked for 5 hours and so he was in after that. It took me a few more dates, but he came over to make me dinner one night, and knowing how important my kitties are to me, he brought them treats too. Way cute:) and it’s just been a year of adventures, we have traveled to Costa Rica and mammoth and stagecoach and Florida and just had an amazing year together.

Photography: Emry Photography| Venue: Ethereal Open Air Resort| DJ: San Diego Partytime DJ’s | Flowers: Simply Adina Floral| Wedding Dress: Jason Alexander from Something Old Something New Bridal Boutique| Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal| Donut Wall: Peterson’s Donut Corner|