17 Mar

Anniversary

Wedding Venues: Telling Your Love Story | Casa Romantica | Orange County Photogapher

Wedding Venues and 3 Ways They Tell Your Love Story

First of all, Happy St. Patty’s Day!  You’re definitely in luck if you were looking for something that is pure gold. Seriously, it is this couple and the wedding venues I was able to capture their photos at over the years: the Casa Romantica and The Parker Palm Springs. I feel like I can’t jump right in without first flashing back to their wedding. Start here if you want to see their beautiful Palm Springs wedding at The Parker hotel that I shot for them a few years ago. Okay, does anyone get the feeling that I’m sending you on a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt like all the kiddos have been raving about? Ha! I guess you can’t get to the pot of gold without chasing the rainbow first.

Cactus and couple Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer The Parker Palm Springs

Like I mentioned, I had the privilege of shooting Chelsey and Kyle’s wedding. When it comes to wedding venues they chose the perfect one, The Parker Palm Springs, a Palm Springs Hotel. By perfect, I mean perfect for their story and for them. Itt has wedding (think photographers pot of gold) written all over it. It is full of gorgeous foliage and colors that give this vibe that mother nature wanted weddings done right, and done there. As I have captured couples on their wedding days at many, many destinations and wedding venues, one thing always rings true, the venue can be a vehicle to tell your love story.

Joshua tree, palms and beaches wedding venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer

The Casa Romantica

Let’s fast forward now to the anniversary shoot I did for this same AWESOME couple at the romantic venue, Casa Romantica. I have already known Chelsey for quite a while, even before her wedding. She’s the BEST!  Not only am I lucky to consider her a friend, but I get to call her husband Kyle one too!! When I was asked to meet up again and shoot anniversary shots, I was ecstatic! I loved being a part of capturing their celebration of continued love, adventure, and the destiny that led to them meeting each other in the first place. Between their original wedding venue and then later selecting Casa Romantica in San Clemente as the backdrop for this shoot, I knew they already knew my 3 secrets on choosing a  wedding (or in this case, anniversary) venue.

Red shingled roof and spanish architecture Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer 3 Ways Wedding Venues Tell Your Love Story

Location – First of  you need to be thinking, “Is this a representation of the two of us?” Wedding venues no longer need to be traditional locations. They can be personal and a representative of the two of you. I mean, I’m not talking about walking down the aisle at Taco Bell or anything like that, unless that’s totally your thing then I’ll just have to quesa deal with it. I’m just saying, with as many wonderful options available to you, you should definitely consider finding something that’s just right for the two of you.

Vibe – If you’re hoping for an intimate formal setting with only your closet friends and family than a wedding venue with a grand hall is not going to fit your wedding vibe. Make sure your location also reflects what the two of you are about and what you love. If you love rustic, find something with that overall natural, earthy and intimate vibe. If you want elegant, think about choosing something formal and more grand.

Decor – Take a look at the venue and see what is already available to help tell your story. With Chelsey and Kyle’s wedding venue, The Parker, it was already naturally beautiful and impressive in and of itself. Or for their anniversary shoot, let’s just say, I don’t think the Casa Romantica, is named what it is by accident. It exudes romance while being intimate yet inviting all on it’s own.

kissing at the casa romantica in san clemente Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Wedding Venues and how to choose Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer

Wedding Venues: Picking Your Perfect Place

Your venue will play a part in shaping the overall ambiance you want on your wedding day. It’s important to develop an idea of what you want to focus on based off of your wedding day vision, and what you want the overall feel to be.  Consider the venue, as let’s say, the third wheel on a romantic date. If it make it’s presence known, you will want it to be in a very complimentary way, never awkward and overbearing. Choose a venue that feels comfortable to you. Make it something that tells the story of you. It should be something that makes you feel like savoring a home cooked meal or your favorite comfort food, not something that feels foreign, and would be found on a menu of food you can’t pronounce nor  have never tasted. Get the picture? Don’t serve up something that isn’t you. Focus on location, the overall vibe, and the decor that is already available to you and you’ll be golden. I hope you enjoy the ideas as much as I love these two and the shoots I’ve been able to share with them.

Groom bow tie Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Spring bouquet Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer St. Patricks Day Blog Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Anniversary at Casa romantica Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
Couple celebrates anniversary Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Anniversary shoot Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Pink bouquet Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Bride bouquet Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Simple wedding dress Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Shades of pink bouquet Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
Groom's suit for wedding Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Navy Blue Men's Suit Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Suit for wedding Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer White formal gown Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
Casa Romantica | Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Aloe and Casa Romantica Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer White gown Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Sand and succulents Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer walking along the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Formal wear at the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Talking a walk along the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Husband and wife on the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer San Clemente beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer

Outside along the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Casa Romantica beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Talking a walk along the beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Palm trees and beach Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Groom with bouquet Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Palm trees, palm springs wedding, anniversary Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Casa romantica foliage Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Anniversary shoot with Brooke Bakken at the Casa Romantica Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Greenery at Casa romantica wedding venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Men's navy blue suit Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Husband and wife celebrate anniversary together Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
San Clemente Wedding Venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Walking away from casa romantica Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer outside doors of casa romantica Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Groom outside wedding venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
Groom suit Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer
Bride outside wedding venue in california san clemente Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Southern California wedding venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer San Clemente Wedding Venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Casa Romantica Wedding Venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer Casa Romantica Wedding Venue Brooke Bakken | Orange County Photographer

Want to tell your loves story with the help of your wedding venue? Contact me today!

 

XOXOX – Brooke