To dine al fresco in warm Southern California is a dream in itself, but when you add in gorgeous blush and gold decor and two beautiful newlyweds, then you’ve got a night to remember! Cora and Deron celebrated their wedding at the incredible Hummingbird Nest Ranch, in Santa Susana, with a day that was sweet as could be! Duke Photography captured everything from the darling dessert table and twinkling lights to the joyful ceremony with warmth and elegance.

The Couple: Cora and Deron

The Wedding: 7.28.12 – Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Santa Susana, CA

The Inspiration: Our wedding was inspired by my (Cora) love for all things rustic and modern vintage, as well as by my interest in DIY projects. A lot of the decor, from the table settings to the favors, I envisioned and made with help from Deron’s mom and from my bridesmaids.

The Moments: The most memorable part of the day was when we exchanged the vows we wrote for each other. Although we exchanged them in front of all of our guests, it felt like it was just the two of us in that moment. The sentiments reflected the life we shared for the past 8 years prior to getting married and the future we were about to embark on.

The Design: The modern vintage theme was reflected throughout the wedding, ranging from the color scheme to all the DIY touches. DIY elements include the table numbers made of ceramic floor tiles covered with vintage-inspired scrapbook paper, tea-stained doily menus, burlap and lace honey jar favors, escort card table display, and the wedding signs. Deron added his touch to the overall decor by including both a scotch tasting and cigar bar, which were a big hit with the guests.

The Location: Because we were having a summer wedding, we wanted to take advantage of the warm evenings in Southern California. When we toured Hummingbird Nest Ranch, we immediately knew it was the venue for us, with the gorgeous Spanish villa set against the Santa Susana mountains. It provided the perfect canvas to plan a rustic and vintage-inspired outdoor wedding.

The Advice: In hindsight, as much as I enjoyed the DIY projects, it did become a bit overwhelming coupled with all the other planning that was taking place. I would highly recommend that brides-to-be make a list of all potential DIY projects, prioritize them, and then focus on tackling the top 3-5 items while enlisting personal and/or professional help for the remaining projects. That way, you can relax and enjoy yourself and your partner before the big day!

A huge thanks to Duke Photography for sharing Cora and Deron’s beautiful California wedding with us!

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Duke Photography
Event Planner: DNT Elite Events
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Videographer/Film Maker: Cloud 9 Cinematography
Officiant: Friend of Couple, Jimmy Si
Invitation Designer: Urbanic Paper Boutique
Catering: Command Performance
Florist: Karen’s Garden
Cake: Sweet and Saucy Shop
Wedding Dress: Atelier by Dawn Kim
Bridal Accessories: Shoes – Jimmy Choo; Hairpiece – Atelier by Dawn Kim (hairpiece)
Groom’s Apparel & Accessories: Custom tuxedo, Shoes – Prada
Hair & Makeup: Theresa Huang Makeup & Hair Design
Favors: Homemade honey jars
Rings: Bride’s engagement ring is a family heirloom passed down from groom’s grandmother