Tips for Planning an Elevated Garden Wedding from a SoCal Wedding Photographer
I’m a simple girl: just a SoCal wedding photographer who’s a lover of flowers, romance, and all things pretty. So, a garden wedding?? Yeah, it’s right up my alley. And Elizabeth and Christoph’s was my actual dream. It was basically woodland forest fairy meets summer garden party, and yes, it was as freakin’ beautiful as it sounds.
If that’s the vibe you’re going for on your wedding day, I love you already. Don’t miss this guide to planning the perfect elevated garden wedding!!
Why Choose a Garden Wedding?
I mean… Why NOT choose a garden wedding?
Seriously, though, these are some of my favorite days to capture as a SoCal wedding photographer. They always have a sense of magic and whimsy that I just cannotttt get enough of!! This type of day is perfect for the couple who:
Loves color and FUN
Thrives in the outdoors
Is super romantic
Wants a big wedding where you get to celebrate with all your fave people
If you check those boxes, a day like this is basically perfect for you. Like, Enchanted by Taylor Swift level perfect.
How to Plan a Garden Wedding That Feels Elevated and a Little Luxe (But Still So You)
Okay, garden party weddings are some of the most GORGEOUS days when they’re done right. It doesn’t have to be wildflowers and super colorful decor (though I do love a colorful wedding), it can be a really muted, really luxe-feeling garden wedding. And if I’m honest… Those are kinda some of my favorite ones.
At the end of the day, if it feels like YOU, it’s the absolute best it could be. And if you’re that more elevated, elegant bride that still wants the whimsy that a garden wedding brings, here’s how to create the wedding day that’s completely unique to you:
Garden Wedding Decor
Flowers. That’s it. That’s the decor.
Seriously, though, statement floral arrangements are THE garden party wedding decor of all garden party wedding decor. There’s no such thing as too many flowers, so I say to use them everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, grounded as your ceremony backdrop, big bouquets… 10/10.
Aside from florals, I love adding in pastel decor like signage, taper candles, patterned napkins, thrifted colorful glassware, etc. The more cohesive, the better!!
Garden Wedding Color Schemes
Speaking of cohesion, sticking to your color scheme is the best way to do that. Having a palette that you can pull from for everything (decor, bridesmaid dresses, and florals) will ensure that everything looks good together AND super elevated. Here are a few wedding color palette ideas that work REALLY well for a garden wedding!!:
Pastels: blues, purples, pinks, butter yellow… So good.
Muted enchanted forest: earth tones with pops of color always look incredible!!
Bold, rainbow-esque colors like vibrant pinks, greens, and yellows.
An all-white base with small pops of pastel accents, like a white + butter yellow combo or a white + baby pink combo.
Garden Wedding Dresses
One of my favorite parts about a garden party wedding is the bridal style, because it always brings the lacy, romantic fashion of my dreams!! I’ve saved a few dresses from Pinterest that I NEED to capture at a garden wedding, please and thank you:
The Best Time of Year for a Garden Wedding
When I hear “garden wedding,” I immediately picture spring and summer vibes. Spring brings the blooms and summer brings the long days, and both of them have that peak SoCal weather!!
If you’re deciding between the two, I picture spring for a more laidback, intimate garden wedding and summer for one that feels a little more fun and vibrant.
Garden Wedding Places: The Ultimate Guide to SoCal Wedding Venues for a Garden Wedding
There are a few SoCal wedding venues that just make sense for garden party weddings, but Elizabeth and Christoph’s day at The Stavrand is one of those that felt SO meant to be. They chose it so that they could have a full wedding weekend with all their fave people on-site, and the forest + the estate + the river made it the most GORGEOUS setting!! Your venue fully dictates the whole mood of the weekend, so keep that in mind when venue hunting and be sure to be SUPER intentional about choosing.
You know I’ve got some more venues, because that’s kinda my whole thing as a SoCal wedding photographer:
The Casino San Clemente – find my planning guide here!!
La Venta Inn – I mean, Kate and Theron’s day here was a total dream.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach – no notes, see how to plan a wedding there right here!
Carpinteria – because Claire and Kurt’s wedding was the most charming, easygoing day!!
Elizabeth and Christoph’s Garden Wedding
Elizabeth and Christoph focused on togetherness, and that’s the stuff that gets me every time. Everyone was unplugged, hanging out by the river all weekend, fully embracing the love that these two share, and you already know that my camera and I were LOVING it.
Everything was slow and easy, all weekend long. The light in the forests was unreal, and it DEFINITELY felt like time was frozen while we were taking film photos here. And don’t even get me started on the reception, because these candid moments had tears in my eyes behind the camera. I’ll literally NEVER be over these two listening to toasts during dinner!! Candid photos have my whole heart, and you can see exactly why.
When your day feels like you, these are the kinds of photos you get. So, yeah, I highly recommend. Choosing the right vendor team is key to getting to kick back and relax, and I cannot shout this group out enough!!:
Coordinator: CMG Events
Videographer: Weiss Photo & Film
Florist: Taylor Anne Co. (the actual star of the show, let’s be real)
Caterer: Park Ave Catering
DJ: Second Song - DJ Mother Tierra
Baker: Winston Pies
Rentals: Heirloom Rentals & Encore Event Rentals
Cambria Shelley Photography | SoCal Wedding Photographer
If you’re planning a garden wedding… I’d LOVE to be there to capture it. These days always just work well with my style: vibrant, nostalgic, and fully authentic. Inquire here, and let’s bring your vision to life together!!
