One of my favorite Temecula Winery spots to capture wedding photography is at Ponte Vineyards. What makes this winery especially nice is the easy access to the vineyards for taking photos. As a photographer, it’s especially nice as it cuts down on the amount of time required for photography after the ceremony. For brides and grooms, it’s nice since they don’t have to travel far or up and down hills to access the vineyards for the wedding day photos. (See image for example.)
In addition, Ponte Winery typically positions their ceremony toward the east. As a California Photographer, I have found the Temecula wineries that face their wedding ceremonies toward the east, the photographers fight less against the sunlight as it’s behind them. The only downside is when the wedding party walks down the aisle, the photographer is facing into the sun if the wedding is toward sunset time.
For more images, info and directions to Ponte Winery, visit my photography site.
This weeks wedding photo and wedding site is Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. Located off of Rancho California Rd in Temecula, I have had the several opportunities to photograph weddings at this particular winery both prior to the addition of the new building and after the new reception facility. It’s like night and day. The new facility offers so much more opportunity for capturing wedding photos than what they use to have: a trailer. Actually, Wilson Creek Winery is perhaps one of my most favorite locations to photograph in wine country, Temecula.
Wedding Photography at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula
The new facility also allows for ariel photos of the outdoor reception area (as a side note, they do have indoor reception facilities as well). I have found the staff to be friendly and accommodating as well. They do allow the bride and groom along with the wedding photographer to take photos in the vineyards. I mention this since I have had some issues with other vineyards in the area. In addition, if you are planning on an engagement photography session, they will also take you up in to the vineyards on a different date. (But you will want to check with them to make sure. I know I have done this, but you may want to let them know this is your intent should you want engagement photos at the winery).
You can view images of a wedding I photographed at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula by visiting my Southern California Wedding Photographer gallery on my photography site. In addition, I have added some of the facility information for the winery below. You can also visit their website for more information on weddings at Wilson Creek. If for some reason their site is not working, I have added their contact information below the facilities list as well as a link to a map of the area.
Facilities information for Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula:
- Use of our facilities from 10am-2pm (or end at 3pm in the lower garden) or 5:30pm -10:30pm
- Select from one of our unique wedding and ceremony locations
- Champagne Ballroom and white wood wedding gazebo adorned with hanging fresh flower pots
- Intimate Barrel Room and Vineyard View ceremony site
- Merlot Mesa for your wedding and/or reception
- A Wilson Creek Event Coordinator and a Banquet Captain will assist you in making your dream wedding become a reality
- Beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains, creek and trees available for photo memories
- Outdoor torches, and ambient night lighting, including uplights and spotlights
- Air-conditioned bridal suite with private restroom- Grooms suite after May 2008
- 60” round or 72” round tables that seat 8 and 10 guests respectively, deluxe padded white resin chairs, banquet tables and gift tables
- Premium white damask floor length table linens with your choice of standard napkin colors
- Wedding cake table or use of our rustic wine barrel
- China, utensils, water glasses, wine glass, champagne flutes
- Outdoor patio heaters or Umbrellas with wine barrel base if required
- Silver or gold chargers, candle centerpieces, votive candles, sheppard hook with lantern isle décor (upon request)
- Gift Shop opened upon request- all your guests receive a 10% discount on purchases
- Our famous Wilson Creek Almond Champagne served at the wedding rehearsal to start your wedding weekend off festive and fun!
Temecula Creek Winery Contact Info:
35960 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
951.699.WINE (9463) | info@wilsoncreekwinery.com
In part 1 of this series, I discussed, briefly, some winter wedding spots in Southern California. What I’d like to do now is briefly discuss some winter wedding favors as well as colors you may use for a winter wedding. You’re probably asking what does this have to do with wedding photography, well, a lot actually. You see, your photographer will be responsible for capturing your wedding day and if you are planning on having a winter wedding then there are some things that make it a unique wedding, like the favors and colors. Your photographer needs to be able to capture these and this is why I am providing some suggestions for them.
If you’re hosting a winter wedding, then you’ll want to seek out winter wedding favors, which by the way, if you’re looking for suppliers online, try this wedding favor site: MyWeddingFavors.com or type the keywords “winter wedding favors” or “Christmas wedding favors.” in to a search engine. You’ll be surprised at the amount of online weddings stores that offer these items. Note: You can try the advertiser on my site to the right side of this page
Some suggested winter favors may include:
- snowflake photo coasters,
- snowflake place card holders,
- hanging picture frames,
- snow globes,
- silver bells,
- and holiday cookies.
By displaying these favors, it provides many great opportunities for your wedding photographer and videographer to capture the elements of the this unique wedding day; so when family and friends look at your albums they will get a sense that you actually had a winter wedding.
Colors
With winter, comes the winter color pallet. While it’s suggested that the bride wear white, the groom may also want to wear a white tuxedo as well to keep within the “snow” feel of winter. Additional winter colors that can be incorporated in to your winter wedding theme are
- gold,
- white,
- soft gray,
- silver,
- light blue,
- red (pinks), or
- green.
These colors can be used through-out your decorations and even as colors for your bridesmaids’ dresses. For additional color ideas, think of nature’s offerings during the season: berries, holly leaves, pine cones, eucalyptus, snow and ice. Use colors from nature to accent your occasion.
In my next post, I’ll talk about winter wedding photography opportunities.
