When Emily & Max inquired with me to document their destination wedding at the gorgeous Mt Woodson Castle in California, I was beyond ecstatic. Those who know me know I LOVE my destination weddings & elopements, so getting the chance to travel to beautiful southern California to celebrate these two wonderful people was such a treat. These two live in Lafayette & were so excited to celebrate with a destination wedding where they & their favorite people could all get away for a weekend. Their wedding day itself came together perfectly, & I’m so excited to relive it here with you today!
Getting Ready & a First Look Outside of Mt Woodson Castle
Emily & Max’s day began like many couples, with the two getting ready separately from one another in the company of their friends & family. It was a morning of love, laughter, & the best vibes. Both Emily & Max had the best energy going into the day, & the joy of their destination wedding was just getting started as next up was their first look!
The choice of Mt Woodson Castle as their wedding venue couldn’t have been more perfect for their day. The stone architecture of the 1900’s home makes for an out of this world setting for a wedding, & would you believe it that Emily & Max hadn’t even seen the space in person before booking it? The venue is just THAT beautiful, that just seeing it online was enough for them to fall in love & pull the trigger. While outside of the venue, Emily & Max shared the first moment of their wedding day together, seeing one another in their wedding attire for the first time. It was a magical part of the wedding for these two, & the start of what was sure to become one of the best days of their lives!
Their Outdoor Destination Wedding Ceremony at Mt Woodson Castle
After some time taking couples portraits around Mt Woodson Castle, it was time for their intimate wedding ceremony to begin. As the guests of their destination wedding gathered in the outdoor courtyard of the venue, it was hard not to be awestruck by it all. The charming California countryside around us, the soft sunset providing the perfect lighting, & the incredible love shared between Emily & Max, it all just felt SO right.
After an emotion filled ceremony, Emily & Max were officially newlyweds! Before the evening’s festivities got underway we had some time for family & newlywed portraits making full use of the gorgeous setting that surrounded us.
Celebrating Their Destination Wedding in California
As the sun continued to set, Emily & Max’s wedding reception began. Taking place under the string lit lawn of Mt Woodson Castle, Emily & Max made an epic entrance with their first dance. This was one of many moments from the day that felt truly out of this world. Between the palm trees swaying overhead, the gorgeous architecture of Mt Woodson Castle, & their favorite people all there to celebrate them, this is what destination weddings are all about! The evening continued with some delicious foods & desserts, lovely toasts, & finally a night of dancing inside the castle. Emily, Max, & I of course made a sneaky exit for some evening portraits as well, before rejoining their friends & family to dance the night away together!
Emily & Max’s intimate wedding at Mt Woodson Castle is a perfect example of why I adore destination weddings SO much. Each moment & every detail from their day was perfect for these two, & I’m so happy for the opportunity to document it all! For more destination content check out this adventure session, or my guide to eloping in Puerto Rico, & if you’re interested in having me document your wedding or elopement be sure to send me an inquiry today!
Vendors
Wedding Venue: Mt Woodson Castle
DJ: Second Song
Florist: Finest City Floral
Videographer: Blue Tiger Films
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