Last weekend I assisted my friend Heather Ham at a wedding she had at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley. This weekend she is assisting me at a wedding I have in Santa Monica. It’s a win/win situation for both of us.
I don’t even know where to begin with this wedding! The bride is a fashion designer who designed and commissioned EVERTHING for her wedding: the dress, stationary, table runners, Mexican tile magnets for escort cards, everything. And it was exquisite. The wedding had a very sexy Latin/Cuban/Spanish/European feel to it. Nicole, the bride, is Cuban. Her husband, Phillip, Italian. The ceremony was held at the Mission San Fernando and the reception at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley. Both venues were spectacular! The Mission was built in 1797 and is a gorgeous and historical church.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch is…….breathtaking. This 140 Equestrian Estate located in Simi valley is overwhelmingly beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice. It was a private estate (the big house is 17,000 square feet) and is now available for weddings, events, filming (NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” was taped there) , competitions, and conferences. There are 10 guest houses that can be rented to give a destination wedding feel to your wedding. I highly recommend a tour of the grounds if you are looking for something special and different for your big day!
Ok, on to Nicole’s wedding. I am going to stalk photographer Jasmine Star‘s blog until she posts more picture than this!
Nicole’s colors were navy blue and fuscia and her motif was a Mexican tile pattern that she incorporated through all of the design elements along with Spanish lace accenting items such as the invitations and napkins. She ordered 800 plain tall white “Saint candles” to decorate the dinner hour and reception areas. My thighs still ache from squatting down to place then pack up! Pathways of candles led guests from the cocktail hour to dinner, then a trumpet player let the guests to the Cuban band tearing up the dance floor. A photo booth, Cuban cigar roller, and dessert buffet kept the guests very, very entertained. It was a gorgeous wedding and I can’t wait to do another one at Hummingbird Nest Ranch!
