There is a reason so many couples choose the Golden State for their nuptials. The raw beauty of the California landscape is, at times, almost overwhelming. Recently, a large team of vendors flocked to the Southern Cali sun to showcase their talents in a gorgeous, tropical-inspired styled shoot. Photographer, Lisette of Lisette OC Photography, shared her experience of the whole process with us from beginning to end and all the details in between (see below):

“When I found out that Alexie Events was teaming up with Styled Shoots Across America to put on this styled shoot, I jumped at the chance to join as a photographer. I had an amazing time at this tropical-themed shoot at Emerald Peak, a unique outdoor venue in the heart of Temecula Valley. And what a beautiful day it was! The sun was bright, but we had a little bit of cloud cover that made these photos just perfect. I love that each photo had a wedding glow due to the natural light.

This shoot was designed with one of my favorite color themes, especially when paired with the dusty desert colors of Southern California. Pops of pink, peach, teal and coral looked extra bright and festive at this outdoor venue. I loved all of the palms and vibrant greenery added in. Accents of pineapples, flamingos and tropical flowers made it even more beachy and bright. The location of the shoot influenced the inspiration because of all of the open space and sun and lush green hills surrounding it. And because the space was pretty much a blank canvas, it allowed all of the colors to pop.

The bride’s bouquet complimented the theme perfectly. In place of large palms, the florist, Taste of Honey Co., added in smaller ferns that kept with the tropical look but fit perfectly in the bride’s hands. The whimsical array of colorful flowers looked gorgeous against her white flowy dress. The sheer material allowed the sun to shine through, illuminating her bridal bliss even more. To match, the groom wore a deep blush color that made him look extra handsome against the greenery. In contrast, the groomsmen wore gray suits that paired well with floral bridesmaids’ dresses. Each one wore a different floral print but in the same style. So pretty!

One of my favorite photos from this session was of the bridal party sitting on the bench high up on the cliff. The best thing about this venue is that it sits up high on a cliff overlooking the breathtaking Temecula horizon. The green hills rolled across the backdrop as the clouds hung overhead—stunning! Meanwhile, the crew looked so happy and relaxed, overjoyed to be celebrating with the couple.

The cake looked phenomenal: metallic designs with floral accents and drips of colorful icing made it quite the centerpiece. Everything from this shoot was done with exquisite taste and style! What a privilege to be able to showcase all of these vendors’ incredible talents and skills! Thanks to everyone who helped put this masterpiece together. Hope you feel as inspired as I did after seeing this collection!”