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Romantic Saddlerock Ranch wedding: Max + Katie

October 20, 2015
Romantic Saddle Rock Ranch wedding portrait

Ever heard of this for a wedding theme: Kinfolk meets bohemian vineyard family dinner meets 4th of July? Yeah. It might not be for everyone, but for M + K, it’s 100% fitting (and sure looks good on Pinterest). As an event planner for 10+ years and current marketing director for The Venue Report, Katie’s mission wasn’t to do everything herself, but to find fab vendors with amazing talents to make their vision a reality. With her industry experience, you’d think she’d have real trouble zeroing in on a single pro to photograph her day, but then Brandon Kidd came along and was the perfect fit.

Bridal bouquet Wedding invitations Wedding party portrait Wedding signage

Katie says, The feeling I had when I set foot at Saddlerock was of familiarity and excitement. There was an electric current in the air that was palpable. While I did my due diligence and emailed some other venues, I kept coming back. I could envision the dance I would have with my Dad underneath the oak trees. I could hear the vows I would take with Max under the sun-dappled arbor. I could taste the delicious wine that would be liberally poured at our family dinner-style reception. I could see bringing our children back here to visit the animals one day and show them where Mom and Dad said I-do. The venue becomes the third-party narrative in your wedding-day story, the gathering spot you keep coming back to for the rest of your days to relive this one… Finding the venue was the initial challenge, you can read all about that on The Venue Report, as we knew we wanted a 4th of July wedding outdoors in LA with a lot of open space that reminded Max of home. (She’s from LA + he from Illinois.)

Rustic wedding altar Bridesmaids portrait Bridal bouquet

The bride called Rachael of Siren Floral Co.‘s work floral mastery, and we mustmustmust agree.

Wedding portrait Saddle Rock Ranch wedding ceremony Flower girl portrait Rustic wedding altar Romantic Saddle Rock Ranch wedding portrait Wedding signage Bridal bouquet Rustic wedding bar

A modern (and budget friendly) alternative to those big wooden signs a lot of ranch weddings have was to have acrylic signs cut at Home Depot, then calligraphed by Twinkle & Toast.

Wedding lounge area Wedding cocktails Saddle Rock Ranch wedding tablescape Escort card display Escort card display Wedding florals Place setting Wedding florals Furniture rentals

We walked down an aisle of vintage rugs to the tune of Johnny Cash + Elvis Presley as sung by one of our closest friends. My brother was my “man of honor” and my bridesmaids were wore all white. We raised Max’s grandfather’s flag, a man he looked up to his whole life, whom I never had the chance to meet. We played the National Anthem before the ceremony and the flag, unfurled for the first time since his funeral, presided over all of us.

Place setting Wedding reception Saddle Rock Ranch wedding reception
  • Saddle Rock Ranch wedding ceremony
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  • Wedding rings
  • Bridesmaids portrait
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Film by The Costa Sisters.

One final story from Katie…

My parents have been married 34 years and were together 11 before they got married. It’s like they’ve been together a lifetime. You’ll never meet a more in-love couple, even after all this time. My whole life they were the best example of what I wanted for myself one day, and as I said in my wedding speech (yes, I gave a speech—the first one, in fact) I could never have thought the kind of love I have with Max was possible unless I had witnessed it firsthand through them. When they were married, they simply went down to the Santa Monica courthouse with one witness each and made it official. No dress, no fanfare, no friends and family—not even their parents. But of these humble beginnings came something so beautiful and sustained, it needed to be honored. Once I knew we were having a wedding, I knew I would surprise them with the first dance. They have given Max and I so much, we are so blessed to have two sets of such supportive parents! I had asked my mother and Max’s mom to dress in white with the wedding party. When it came time for cocktail hour, I got up to give a speech, thanking everyone for coming and gave the first dance at our wedding to my parents, as they never had one. It will go down in the history of my life as one of my happier moments, seeing them so surprised and excited. And now, my mom finally has a picture of her dancing with my Dad in a white dress.

Congratulations guys!

Photographer: Brandon Kidd Photography / Videographer: The Costa Sisters / Venue: Saddlerock Ranch, Malibu, CA / Coordination: Arielle of LVL Events / Design & Florals: Siren Floral Co. / Hair & Makeup: Marla Vasquez / Invitations: Twinkle & Toast / Catering: BBQ Express / Rentals: Signature Party Rentals / Specialty Rentals: Witty Rentals / Flatware: Borrowed Blu / DJ: Elevated Pulse / Ceremony Musician: Andy Mauser Music / Bride’s Dress: Sarah Janks from The Dress Theory in San Diego / Shoes: Miu Miu / Necklace: Bride’s Mom’s / Bracelets: Long Lost Jewelry / Lucite Necklace: Alexis Bittar / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Shoes: Cole Haan / Wedding Band: Groom’s Dad’s / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Revolve / Groomsmen’s Suits: Variety / Flower Girls: Etsy & Gap