Well, they finally did it! My famous “Oz” couple Jane & Jay tied the knot on Halloween in grand fashion at the Newhall Mansion in Piru, California. A wedding setting that was simply perfection, the mansion and its entire property were used to create themed sections for you to visit and enjoy. Here a list of them with a description..
SpareOom Speakeasy: This is the Narnia-themed speakeasy at the front room of the house. Guest will walk through a wardrobe to get there. There will be a speakeasy piano player, masquerade masks, and an old-timey photographer (like on the east coast boardwalks!). There will be a drink called the Turkish Delight wherein guests put cotton candy in champagne glasses and pour champagne over top).
The Neverending Love Story:This room is across from the speak easy. It is the guest book room and has a “Neverending Love Story” guest book that looks exactly like the book from the movie. There are index sized cards and ostrich quill pens (humanely harvested!) that have the auryn symbol from the book on the cards. Guests write their well wishes and either hang them on manzanita trees or in card boxes. There is a white wine sangria called the Fantasia and cookies that have the auryn symbol on it.
No Place Like Home: This area is Baltimore & Oz themed (since we are both from Bmore). This will be in the back of the house. There will be photos of the engagement shoot pictures! There will be MD crab claws, oysters, and Twisted Slipper drinks (Dirty Shirely’s with a better name!). There will be a Photobooth set-up that is DIY. IE people use their own cameras to take pictures with photo booth props and then use a certain hashtag to post it. The background is a Maryland flag. Props are hysterical. Also, Ravens cookies.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: This is further up in the yard by a big marble table and surround by pomegranite trees! How magical! There will be a carriage bed and living area made to look like Alice’s room. A biscuit bar, Iced Tea to be spiked with “Drink Me” shot bottles, Tea Bags that say Steep Me. A couple of hanging chair swings and a DIY photo booth. Lots of things will be hung from trees.
The Little Prince Bistro: This area is in a paved area between the back of the house and the tea party. We have black wrought iron tables that will have baguette sandwiches, chocolate croissants, and lemonade. There is also a DIY Photo booth area that is like a “kissing booth” with roses. There will be a rose under a bell jar (a la Beauty and the Beast/Little Prince) There will also be a station where people can take a mini rose (fresh) and a tag and write a note to someone/give a rose to someone.
The Secret (Beer) Garden: This area is across from the Mad Hatter’s area. There will be a big loooong wooden fence with ivy to walk through. It will be themed like the secret garden meets Oktoberfest. Beers in wheelbarrows, sausages, hot pretzels, oktoberfest diy photobooth. Beer pong will also be back here
The Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge: This area is Moroccan themed and there will be two hookahs, two attendants, as well as a cigar and whiskey bar. It’s around the pool area and there will be floating lanterns in the pool with color changing led candles.
Game of Thrones Buffet: This is the dinner buffet with lots of meat, salads, a mashed potato bar, and a bread bar…and like 300 game of thrones cookies.
Sounds fab, right? Well covering this much property with just two photographers was no easy task. Between inside the mansion, then up the hill of the sprawling lawn, there were people and details everywhere; a photographers dream. I was also battling the sun setting before I could photograph all of the glorious details. But somehow Boris and I did it. We worked hard and hustled, I wish there were 4 of us, but somehow we made it work. It was over 90 degrees so we were sweating like crazy, but they didn’t fly us to California to be mediocre. We had to be extraordinary!! I think we did a great job capturing the details Jane wanted to bring to life and the love and joy surrounding their beautiful day in such an incredible location. If you are looking for inspiration, this wedding is a great example of some gorgeous details. From Jane’s custom made jewelry and cape to her signature cocktails, and her unique bouquet. You can’t help but feel like you’re in a fantasy world when you see these images. I fell in love with California on that trip, I fell in love with a family that welcomed us with open arms and treated us like one of their own. It truly was one of the best experiences of my career. I hope you enjoy these images. Here are some of the fabulous vendors and artists who made this wedding spectacular.
Planner:
Animals:
Caterer:
DJ:
Bride’s Makeup and Hair
Tracey Anderson
Videography:
Bridal dress:
Pebble Bridal
Tux Rentals:
Friar Tux
Photo Booth:
Design:
O
Now that is the way to do a wedding and photograph it! Congratulations to the Bride and Groom. Best wishes for a long and healthy life together!
Thanks so much susan!!!