This was our first post-quarantine event and first full-scale wedding of 2021. Initially, Jessee and Isaac were set to get married in Santa Barbara, but we all know that Covid really changed A LOT OF THINGS UP in the wedding world.
So..... we postponed...and then postponed again...
For the final postponement, we switched it up last minute, edited the guest list, and changed up the look and vibe.
When we decided to start looking at new venues while we're in the middle of the pandemic, didn’t know what limitations we’d have in terms of events, and Jessee had just recently lost her grandmother. We remember a phone call with her, where Chabeli told her that there was a venue open with her date, Hummingbird Nest Ranch ( Q Vineyard Site). Jessee went silent on the call and then we heard her tear up. She said her grandmother told her before she passed that she would come to her as a hummingbird. Chabeli remembers vividly how she instantly got chills. So, we knew it was the perfect fit. You will see little touches of hummingbirds throughout, on the cake, the invite, the table numbers, etc. In this blog, we’ll outline their wedding and all the pretty details that went into it.
The day started bright and early when Jessee, the bride, began to get all glammed up by Samantha Salk of Mobile Bridal Salon. Meanwhile, both our P.S. team and our rental team, A Rental Connection, began to set up on the property. Hummingbird Nest Ranch is the most beautiful property in Simi Valley, tucked away within the Santa Susana Mountains. The venue features several different areas depending on event size and styling choices. For this event, we were in the Q Vineyard. We decided to utilize this area’s barn for cocktail hour, lawn with the perfect view of the mountains for the ceremony, and open space parallel to the vineyards for the reception.
It is now about 10:30 am and Chabeli from our team is tending to the bride while still overseeing setup. Our team is spread throughout the property prepping all things decor and logistics-- Chabeli with our bride and bridesmaids, Jeannine with our groom and groomsmen and then remaining portion of the team on "install". The first priority is usually the ceremony site. This space includes a welcome table with a sign by Simply Stated Stationery, a remembrance table to honor loved ones who have passed on, welcome drinks, two sides of chairs for guests, and a beautiful floral arch by Lindsey White Studio LA.
It is now 1 pm and our photographer, Katie, of Katie J Photography, has arrived and is now taking details (rings, invite, dress, shoes, etc) photos and getting ready photos of Jessee while the groom, Isaac, and the groomsmen are en route to the property with our team member, Jeannine. Upon Isaac’s arrival, our team makes sure to keep the bride and groom separate. Once the bride’s photos are wrapped up, we then make sure to get them one-on-one time for their first look. Brides and Grooms will often opt for a private first look moment before their ceremony. This allows for great photos, the ability to take romantics before the ceremony which often makes things run much smoother post-ceremony, and of course, adds more intimacy for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
It's now 2:45 pm, we are finishing last minute details as we anticipate early guest arrival. And at this point, we are just about ready to get Jessee and Isaac into their ceremony. Our P.S. team is stationed with the bride, with the bridal party, and with DJ all queuing each other for the next step (got to thank our walkie-talkies for that seamless synchronicity).
3:10 pm, the Ceremony is in full effect!
Once the beautiful ceremony had concluded, we sent guests to cocktail hour in the barn and kept their immediate family at the ceremony site for more photos. The barn was styled by our team, but could not have made the mark without our specialty rentals team, Provenance Rentals. Their furniture includes the shelves, couch, poufs, and chairs that brought the barn to life. Command Catering began bringing out the most delicious appetizers and serving up his and hers cocktails, along with many other drinks.
Once the cocktail hour is up, part of our team closes the bar and ushers guests to find their seats, while one of us is with DJ, and another is with the bride and groom preparing for the grand entrance. Our team member with the bride and groom is always sure to get them some apps and drinks from cocktail hour.
At the start of the reception, guests are all seated for the newlyweds’ grand entrance. The two come out in style, dancing to Danza Kuduro.
Dinner is served, speeches are done, the last few dances take place, then the party really gets started as Ken of MES Entertainment opens the dancefloor. We pause later on to capture the special moment of cutting the cake, while Justin Bieber’s ‘Yummy’ plays in the back. This beautiful cake was made by Nicole Bakes Cakes and sits on a beautiful cage-like base (see, still running with that Hummingbird theme). Some newlyweds will opt out of this tradition for a cake cutting just the two of them. But when we do a cake cutting you know we have to find the perfect sugar or cake-related song.
After some late-night bites and a couple more hours of dancing, the night comes to an end.
This was such a fun welcome back to events for us here at P.S. and we felt honored to be a part of Jessee and Isaac’s Wedding Day. Cheers to them!
All photography by Katie J. Photography