This was the most romantic, whimsical wedding I’ve ever been a part of – still obsessing over it. So grateful I got to document Paige + Ryan’s garden-party-inspired wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a breathtaking wedding venue in Santa Susana, California. Can’t wait for you to fall just as in love with this day as I did as soon as you see the photos!
I know I say this about nearly everyone, but Paige and Ryan are seriously two of the kindest people I have ever worked with. I loved being able to come out to Cali twice for these loves, once for their engagement photos and once for their special day in Santa Susana. The entire day, Paige would make sure I was comfortable and having a good time, which she did with the rest of the vendors, too. Her family was so thoughtful, which just made the day extra wonderful to be a part of.
And it was a classic warm, sunny California day, so we truly got the most perfect weather for Paige + Ryan’s vibrant, romantic wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch! I always jump at the chance to shoot in California, and since this was a venue I hadn’t shot at before, I was super excited to explore the space and document the gorgeous decor + design.
Some of my favorite moments had to be during the getting ready process, it was so fun to watch Paige & Ryan interact with their loved ones and experience all the anticipation of the day. I (of course) cried during Paige’s first look with her dad and Ryan, both were so sweet and emotional.
One of my favorite parts of showing up to wedding days is seeing couples’ visions finally come to life after months of planning, especially if they have a planner and/or designer helping out – and whew, Paige + Ryan’s details + decor did NOT disappoint. The entire day felt like an classy, whimsical garden party that you could host in your backyard – except they leveled it up a bit with their choice of this breathtaking venue.
Photographing their stationery was a dream come true – the invitations & paper goods were beautifully simple and elegant, featuring pale pink accents that coordinated perfectly with Paige’s details. A velvet pink ring box, pink florals, a pink lipstick tube, chunky pearl earrings, and dainty gold jewelry? Yes, please!
And on the subject of the bride, Paige absolutely blew everyone away with her bridal look, the main piece being a jaw-dropping dress by Rime Arodaky. She chose the Svalo gown, which featured a romantic V-neckline, long, fluffy balloon sleeves, and tulle covered in the most dreamy crepe flowers. The whimsy of this dress perfectly fit Paige and the overall vibe of the day – I’ll never get over this angel of a human and how vibrant she looked as a bride ✨
After a romantic ceremony under the trees, basking in the glow of the California sun, Paige + Ryan enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour with their guests before moving into the evening portion of the day. This was where the garden party theme absolutely came to life: the tablescapes were decorated with organic, textural elements that created such an effortless, whimsical atmosphere – my jaw was on the floor as I photographed these details! The rest of the evening was spent enjoying late-night snacks from In N’ Out, and mingling with their guests underneath a sea of twinkle lights at dusk. What a magical evening!
As if I weren’t already obsessed enough with this couple – I got the sweetest review from Paige when I sent over their final gallery and had to share.
“OKAY….I couldn’t wait any longer lol. I did it when Ryan got home today.
KARRA😫🙌❤ I am actually dying. These are the most incredible photos I have ever seen. You captured every single moment of the day so beautifully. I will cherish these for a lifetime and cannot thank you enough!!
Thank you so much again. These are beyond perfect.”
The entire day was so seamless thanks to the incredible vendors that helped out!
Because I fell in love with this venue at first sight, I wanted to give you a little insight into what it could look like for you to have your wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch! Nestled in the hills of Santa Susana, California, this venue offers some of the most stunning views in the area, and boasts the most dreamy Spanish architecture + decor. The outdoor spaces provide endless opportunities to be creative and set up the celebration of your dreams, and the groves of olive trees + romantic gardens will have your guests drooling from the moment they arrive. It’s a truly spectacular venue for couples looking to get married in the area & have plenty of stunning space to customize their wedding.
According to the Hummingbird Nest Ranch as of March 2023, couples should expect to spend a minimum of $90,000 for most weddings taking place at the Villa or Sitting Bull. This includes a 24-hour rental of the event space, a bridal party dressing suite, and more! Feel free to take a look at FAQ’s about the venue here to learn more.
If you’re looking for some more San Diego-area wedding inspo, you’re going to love Claire & Joe’s Intimate Italian-Inspired Wedding in San Diego!
I’ll jump at any chance to work in Cali, so I’d love to be a part of your magical day in this sunny state. Working at Hummingbird Nest Ranch again would be a dream – if you’re considering having your wedding here, reach out to me and I’d love to help you decide if it’s the right venue for what you’re envisioning!
For more dreamy wedding & elopement inspiration like this, feel free to browse some of my recent blog posts below. You’ll find plenty more gorgeous inspo just like Paige + Ryan hopefully gave you!
