“Appily Ever After”

This styled wedding shoot had many ups and downs before it came into fruition! When I sat down with the wedding coordinator, Haley, it was originally supposed to be in Yosemite. Then when we found out that you have to buy a permit to even enter the park, we switched to Big Sur. Then we found out that Big Sur was pretty much shut down to outsiders due to Covid concerns. This left us scrambling to find a new venue host! Thankfully The Lake at Apple Hill was on my list of contacts!

This gorgeous venue had only been open for a week when we turned up for the shoot! And we were blown away with the stunning views. This 50 acre lake sits right next to one of Apple Hill’s most popular attractions, High Hill Ranch. Never knew it was there? Me either! It is hidden down a gravel road leading to the forest wonderland! The lake is surrounded by huge trees and the both the ceremony and reception spot over look it with dramatic views!

This styled shoot could not have come together without the help of all our vendors! From dawn to dusk and beyond, we all worked tirelessly to bring about this gorgeous “minimony” creation! And thanks to them, it was beyond my wildest dreams!

Our model couple, Connie and Paul, started out their “minimony” day with their ceremony. The “Welcome to Our Minimony” sign brought our vendor “guests” into the ceremony space with a dramatic round arch and a dramatic view! All the signs were thanks to Ayah over at Fig and Olive Designs! The decor, supplied by We Do Designs, was set up beautifully thanks to our wedding coordinator, Haley, and the entire Strelitzia floral team!

Not only did they create a beautiful ceremony site, but the decor and flowers for the reception area was this fall-inspired shoot’s dream come true! This is an area that I cannot pull off on my own! They know how to seamlessly pull together the dishes, glasses, flowers, and little details into one beautiful table!

The couple got to enjoy time with their “guests” while sporting Shorty’s Doughnuts on each plate! It was so hard not to eat them all while we were taking pictures! An apple hill must-have turned into wedding nibbles! Speaking of nibbles, have you seen a more beautiful cake!? This apple cider spiced cake with salted carmel frosting was made by Taylor from Taylor Made Desserts! She also made the adorable cupcakes Paul and Connie got to smash in each others faces!

The coupe also got to enjoy two mobile bars at their “minimony”! Coffee to start at our campfire den set-up with GoodJo Coffee Mobile Bar! Such a cute little trailer and delicious coffee! (Iced coffee for this hot day!) Horsing Around Events was also there serving up some apple-themed drinks! How festive! I am so involve with this little mobile bar and LaRee who runs it! Our models fell in love with the drinks and with the way the mobile bar added to the decor of the event! Cheers!

Our couple got to snuggle up close for golden hour and really soak in the forest vibes! Connie got to show off two beautiful dresses from our bridal salon, Diamond Bridal Gallery! Both absolutely gorgeous on her amazing figure! Her hair and makeup shown just as bright thanks to Haley from the e makeup girl! Paul, are you seeing your woman here?!

I cannot stop gushing about how beautiful this day turned out and this stunning “minimony”! May they live “Appily Ever After”!

Huge Thank You to everyone who helped make this minimony a reality! Couldn’t have done it without every single one of you! Contributing Vendors to the Styled Shoot:

Wedding Coordinator: Haley Nyal Events 

@haleynyalevents

Venue: The Lake at Apple Hill

@applehill.weddings

Floral: Strelitzia Flower Company

@strelitziaflowerco 

Rental Company: We Do Designs

@wedodesigns

Dresses: Diamond Bridal Gallery

@diamondbridalgallery

Hair and Makeup: Haley

@theemakeupgirl 

Signs: Ayah at Fig and Olive Designs

@figandolivedesigns

Cake and cupcakes: Taylor Made Desserts

@taylormade_desserts

Doughnuts: Morgan – Shortys Doughnuts

@shortysdoughnuts

Mobile Bar: Horsing Around Events

@horsingaroundevents 

Mobile Coffee Bar: GoodJo Coffee

@goodjocoffee

Second Photographer: Morgan

@morganalanna_photography

Videography: Aydan Perez 

@aydan_perez99

Jewelry: Her Pretty Things 

@herprettythings

Models: Connie and Paul 

@cgaud5 @pgaud5