Leoness Cellars Wedding Photos : Katie + Sam

It’s so exciting to share Katie and Sam’s Leoness Cellars wedding photos! You may remember these two from their Mission Beach engagement shoot.

Bridal Prep at Pechanga Casino and Leoness Cellars

Katie and Sam begin the journey of their wedding day preparing at Pechanga Resort Casino. I remember going to Pechanga many years ago when it was just a glorified tent in a rapidly developing Temecula. Nowadays the resort looks like something you’d find in La Vegas.

Katie’s dress hangs from custom hanger in her suite at Pechanga. At right, Katie is a former gymnast at Boise State University, so it’s only natural that she and her bridesmaids wore some BSU gear!

brides sentimental gifts to groom pechanga casino

Katie and Sam met at work many years earlier. The “In the Beginning” book is a collection of their emails back and forth to each other.

makeup artist and bride pechanga

As Katie has her makeup done, the sign on the window leaves no doubt as to what lies ahead for her Leoness Cellars wedding!

The bridal suite at Leoness Cellars is small but has wonderful light. It’s the perfect spot for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready for a wedding celebration!

Groom Prep at Pechanga Casino and Leoness Cellars

groom writes bride note with groomsmen in background

As his groomsmen get ready, Sam puts the finishing touches on a letter to Katie. I love when brides and grooms do this, but it makes me wish my wife and I did it at our wedding!

groomsmen help groom with suit jacket in hotel room

Ahead of his Leoness Cellars wedding, Sam’s groomsmen make sure his suit looks sharp!

Outside the barrel room are large steel tanks used in fermenting wine. It makes a great spot for some fun photos of Sam and his groomsmen! Inside the barrel room, Sam puts the finishing touches on his wedding vows.

First Look at Leoness Cellars

As Katie approaches Sam for their first look, she gives him a little pinch on the rear just before he turns around to see her! I love when couples mix humor into a serious event like this. This is one of my favorite first looks ever!

bride and groom and bridal party in front of ivy wall before leoness cellars wedding

After the first look, Katie and Sam and their bridal party pose for some fun pictures against an amazing ivy wall.

brides father emotional first look with daughter before leoness cellars wedding

Katie also did a first look with her father. As the dad of a daughter I can only imagine how emotional I’ll be when my daughter gets married!

Katie’s gorgeous bouquet perfectly complements the rich colors of Leoness Cellars. Her bouquet is wrapped in fabric and includes a locket of her brother who passed many years ago.

Leoness Cellars Wedding Photos

bride and groom and bridal party leoness cellars wedding ceremony venue

The main ceremony venue at Leoness Cellars is amazing! A large wooden structure covers the area for the bride and groom, and a large wall surrounds the area privacy. To top of off, guests look at a vista of rolling hills and vineyards.

bride cries as groom reads vows leoness cellars wedding

As Sam reads his heartfelt vows, Katie starts to cry. The sun was perfectly setting on them both.

bride reads vows to groom leoness cellars wedding ceremony

Katie reads her warm vows to Sam as guests look on.

bride groom kiss with mountains and vineyards in background leoness cellars wedding

Katie and Sam seal their vows with a wonderful kiss! I love how the wind is catching Katie’s veil!

guests throw rose petals in air as bride and groom process down aisle leoness cellars

As Sam and Katie walk down the aisle, guests shower them orange and red rose petals!

bride and groom kiss outside ceremony space at leoness cellars

Katie and Sam take a private moment outside the ceremony venue at Leoness Cellars. The strong sunlight coming in really adds to the drama of this image!

bridesmaid cries with bride after wedding ceremony

Katie’s bridesmaid is overcome with emotion as the bridal party congratulates the newlyweds. After every ceremony I shoot, I follow the bride and groom and wait for amazing moments like this.

Bride and Groom Photos in the Vineyard at Leoness Cellars

The vineyard at Leoness Cellars is a wonderful spot for bride and groom photos!

bride groom hold hands embrace vineyard leoness cellars wedding

The long vanishing points between the rows of vines are perfect for late-evening pictures like this. I love the yellow pops from the lights, too!

brides veil catches wind black and white

The wind on this day was gusty but I was able to catch this image just perfectly!

Pulling aside into one of the narrow rows of vine, Katie and Sam relax on a gorgeous steel bench as the light fades.

Leoness Cellars Wedding Reception

bride groom grand entrance under tunnel from bridal party leoness cellars

Katie and Sam make their grand entrance under a human tunnel created by their bridal party.

Katie’s wedding planner, Molly and Rachel from Tres Chic Affairs, did a great job of turning a large room into a space that feels very intimate.

bride and groom kiss cake cutting

After Katie and Sam cut their cake, they have a private little kiss.

bride and groom horah leoness cellars wedding reception

To end the evening, Katie and Sam’s lift them on chairs for the traditional Jewish Horah dance.

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