Candlelit Wedding Inspiration at Milagro Winery


"Megan Lynn of My Sun and Stars Co. and Madeleine Shelton of BotanicaMuse wanted to present a neutral and nuanced color palette that borrowed from the romance of blush with a sophisticated twist. The iridescence and inexplicable beauty of moonstone and opal gemstones inspired our ethereal shoot in the sprawling hills of Milagro Winery. Megan captured the majestic golden hour under the softness of a Contax film lens. We wanted to highlight opportunities for couples to incorporate custom details into their wedding day. 

Hand-selected pieces add an unparalleled intimacy and charm to the candlelit gathering. Raymond Ramirez of Kid Golightly Calligraphy created the invitation suite specifically for this shoot, complete with his signature flourishing script and an illustration of the winery location. Jillian Sassone of Marrow Fine breathes new life into family heirlooms, taking the “good bones” of yesteryear’s gems and incorporating them into an entirely new bespoke piece. Each vendor was hand-selected for their talent and unique perspective. Cyndi Gardipee styled the bride’s hair in loose curls for an elevated version of girl-next-door glamour. Our models received the utmost attention to detail by renowned makeup artist and Beaute Nouveau founder Lacey Haegan. The groom also received the star treatment with a suit and tie look customized by pieces from Lord Wallington’s collection of velvet bowties. For the bridal looks, we wanted to showcase the impact of silhouette. We selected two gowns, one sequin and tulle a-line gown from Inbal Dror and the other a Thelia Couture confection of delicate chiffon petal overlay on a sheath dress with a slight mermaid flare. 

Texture and color theory set the tone for the floral story. Madeleine wanted to play with texture and color by utilizing an array of botanicals, fruits and a complementary color scheme of muted lavender and gold. For the floral story, she contrasted full, lush roses against the architectural lines of olive branches and cream tallow berries, using the softness of bunny grass to bridge the two opposing elements together. The intimate reception table, set aglow by taper candles and AE Floral’s collection of bohemian lanterns and votive rentals, featured an arrangement with an unconventional shape. Gatherings of persimmons and grapes were placed beside exquisite vintage flatware and glassware from House of Andaloo for timeless elegance. 

Instead of a traditional tiered wedding cake, we featured local favorite, Julian Pie Company, for dessert. One’s wedding day should be a reflection of a lifetime commitment and the love story of a couple. Tradition has a honored place on a wedding day, but shouldn’t overpower the choices made by a couple. Choosing things that speak to you, like serving pie instead of cake, are details that set the tone for a special and memorable celebration. We hope this shoot inspires couples to hire creatives they trust and let them craft a wedding day overflowing with personal details and color palettes that stray from the ordinary."


Photography: My Sun and Stars | Venue: Milagro Winery in Ramona | Calligraphy: KidGoLightly | Hair Stylist: Cyndee Gardipee | Make-up Artist: Lacey Haegen | Bakery: Julian Pie Company | Rentals: House of Andaloo | Menswear: Lord Wallington | Jewelry: Marrow Fine | Wedding Dress Designer: Inbal Dror & Theia Couture | Floral DesignBotanicaMuse by Madeleine Shelton