I’ve been left with no choice. 

After capturing Caylee and Steven’s dreamy-as-all-get-out California microwedding, I simply had to blog about all of the super creative ideas that went into the loveliest weekend getaway for the couple and their guests. 

In addition to minimizing the guest list to your nearest and dearest and getting married in an idyllic destination location, microweddings are such a wonderful opportunity to get really intentional about the details. Might as well, while you’re making an entire weekend of the ‘I do’s’! 

Here are some ideas that might inspire your own California microwedding.

Have Your Microwedding at This Venue in Ramona, California

Failla Villa as your venue. That’s it. That’s all you need. That’s the whole article: the tip, the trick, and the tea. (I’m kidding, there’s more.) 

But, seriously: Failla Villa really was part of the all-star cast for the weekend, truly living up to their claim of being a private oasis in the countryside. In fact, if the couple hadn’t wanted some beachy portraits, too, we could have holed up here for the entire weekend! 

There were pickleball courts (which we took full advantage of), a pool (which we also took full advantage of), scenic overlooks of the mountains in the distance, palm trees, red clay rooftops, the whole nine yards. There was even a mini golf course! 

I literally felt like I was on a Love Island villa– minus all of the drama, of course! That being said, I couldn’t recommend this lush venue more if I tried.

Make Your Microwedding First Look Entirely Yours

Caylee and Steven wanted to do their first look and bridal party photos on the beach, but in order to do so, we had to get a little creative with the traditional wedding timeline, splitting their eight hour package up into segments that worked well with what they wanted out of their day. Thankfully, I love an opportunity to go off-script and be adventurous! 

The couple and I woke up bright and early (4:00am, to be exact) to head to the beach before spending the rest of the weekend at the slightly inland venue of Failla Villa in Ramona, California. It was especially ideal to arrive at the beach so early because no one else was around, but it’s important to mention that mornings in San Diego tend to be more overcast. Caylee and Steven personally loved it, as did I, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind as you’re planning your own microwedding.

We spent the first part of the morning just the three of us (with one helpful bridesmaid), capitalizing on the greenery and red clay of the cliffs on one side and the moodier scenescape of the sea on the other. Caylee made the most beautiful (and only) 4am bride I’ve ever seen, and judging by his emotional reaction to her coming down the beach towards him, it’s safe to say Steven thought the same. 

This experience was such a good testament to the fact that you can truly do whatever you want because it’s your wedding. In this case, you can have your first look wherever you please, as long as it results in photos that capture what your love feels like.

Early Morning Wedding Party Photos

The rest of the bridal party arrived just as we were wrapping up, coffee in their hands and smiles on their faces. With their bright, pastel dresses, the bridesmaids added the most whimsical touch to the gorgeous microwedding beach setting. The groomsmen looked dapper in their simple ensembles of khaki pants and white button down shirts, and they managed to have us all doubled over in laughter with their “morning stretch routine.”

Bring Your Dog to Your Microwedding

Caylee’s dog, Cowboy, has always gone wherever she goes. So, why would the most important day of her entire life be any exception? As the VIP guest of honor in attendance, Cowboy made the photos that much more special. You can see him bobbing and weaving throughout the entire gallery: Grinning as he leads the way up the aisle. Posing in his little doggie tux. Proudly circling the couple as they had their first kiss as husband and wife. Photobombing a fair few photos, while he was at it. 

The real lesson here is that your microwedding guest list should truly be comprised of those most important to you… including your dog.

Prioritize the Details

If you’ve haven’t sensed it by now, the entire microwedding was filled to the brim with so much intentionality, prioritizing things that were meaningful to the couple and their guests. 

They spent the morning after their beach rendezvous slowly getting ready, reveling in the no-hurried pace of a California morning. There was a significant moment of collective prayer worked into the timeline. The vows were a high priority for Caylee and Steven and proved to be the favorite part of each of their individual days. There were even fans for each of the guests, to help cool in the heat. (Also something to keep in mind if your California microwedding is in the works!) 

All of this to say, intentional details really do make all of the difference. As your microwedding photographer, I will undoubtedly make time for those things. If they matter to you, they really matter to me.

Epic Pool Jump Grand Exit

Who said you had to do the typical sparkler or getaway car grand exit? Not Caylee and Steven! 

They ended their dreamy microwedding with the most fun idea EVER– a full blown, ‘everybody in!’ jump into the villa pool. Bridesmaids were screaming, groomsmen were laughing, and Caylee and Steven were every bit the whimsical happily-ever-after couple that makes my adventure-loving heart happy as can be. 

Your microwedding is a great opportunity to express yourself as a couple, to tell your own love story by way of a destination location, intentional details, and creative timelines. It’s your day, and your wedding photographer is a huge part of making it possible.