Jen and Scott chose beautiful San Diego for their destination wedding, bringing their closest family and friends together for an incredible weekend at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Located in Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia is easily one of our favorite San Diego wedding venues. The property feels completely tucked away, with lush gardens, beautiful Spanish-inspired architecture, mature trees, tiled patios, and so many intimate spaces for a wedding weekend. For couples looking for a luxury San Diego wedding venue that feels like a destination without leaving Southern California, Rancho Valencia is such a special setting and one we are always excited to return to.

The wedding morning began slowly and peacefully, with Jen and Scott getting ready separately in their respective suites at Rancho Valencia. One of our favorite moments from the morning was Jen’s first look with her bridesmaids. Seeing their reactions when they saw her in her wedding dress for first time was so much fun and such a sweet way to begin the day. Their dresses also tied beautifully into the wedding design, which featured the prettiest summer-inspired color palette of pink, purple, yellow, green, and blue.

Before the ceremony, Jen and Scott met for their first look in the gardens. Surrounded by trees, flowers, and the lush landscaping Rancho Valencia is known for, it was the perfect private setting for them to see each other for the first time. Afterward, they were able to explore the property for portraits together. One of the things we love most about weddings at Rancho Valencia is just how many beautiful backdrops are available throughout the resort, allowing every part of the gallery to feel a little different while still telling one cohesive story.

The ceremony took place on the Sunrise Patio, one of Rancho Valencia’s beautiful outdoor wedding spaces. The existing architecture created an incredible foundation for the design, with statement pillars, tiled flooring, and surrounding greenery. Willow chairs filled the patio while a colorful, deconstructed floral arch brought the summer palette to life with shades of pink, purple, yellow, blue, and green. With the bright florals, beautiful setting, and an exceptionally stylish group of guests, the ceremony felt elegant, joyful, and perfectly suited to a summer wedding in San Diego.

Following the ceremony, guests made their way downstairs to the Terrace Patio for cocktail hour. A live saxophonist set the mood while guests enjoyed tray-passed appetizers, cocktails, and time together before dinner. A beautiful escort card display helped guests find their reception tables, with individual cards featuring each guest’s name and table number. The combination of live music, warm San Diego weather, and the intimate outdoor setting created such a fun atmosphere as everyone settled into the evening.

The reception took place on Rancho Valencia’s Croquet Lawn, where we transformed the outdoor space into a colorful summer dinner party. Wooden pergolas were installed over the long dining tables, creating structure while still allowing the surrounding property to remain part of the design. Colorful floral arrangements filled the tables alongside patterned linens and layers of thoughtful details. At the center of it all was a tan-and-white checkered dance floor, which brought a playful design element to the reception while complementing the natural tones of the resort.

Before joining their guests for the reception, Jen and Scott stepped away for sunset portraits around the property. The lighting was absolutely beautiful, and the resort offered endless backdrops for their photos, from the gardens and greenery to the Spanish-inspired architecture and romantic pathways throughout Rancho Valencia. Jen also changed into her second look for the evening, giving the couple another set of incredible portraits together before the party began.

Finally, guests were invited into the reception space for an unforgettable evening on the Croquet Lawn. Jen and Scott kicked things off with an amazing grand entrance followed by a choreographed first dance, which was such a fun and meaningful moment for them and their guests. The evening continued with heartfelt toasts, a delicious dinner, plenty of cocktails, and eventually a packed dance floor. Their Rancho Valencia destination wedding was colorful, stylish, joyful, and filled with so many personal moments, the perfect summer celebration in San Diego and a wedding weekend we absolutely loved being a part of.

THE VENDOR TEAM

Planning & Design: Serene Events and Design | Photographer: Xo and Fetti, Alyssa Lizarraga, Matthew Hanlon | Florist: Esprit Floral Co. | Venue: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa | Rentals: Adore Folklore, Bright Event Rentals & Brilliant Event Lighting | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Hair & Makeup: Credo Makeup Studio | DJ: DJ Dre Motion | Saxophonist: Brian Pierini |