In Santa Paula, there is a citrus orchard and packaging plant called Limoneria Ranch. It just happens to be the home of a hidden gem of a wedding venue. You can get married with the most spectacular view of the Sulphur Mountains. The guests’ seating area are old Bocce Ball courts. Then, you can move to the grassy bluff to host your reception. With a permanent raised wooded dance floor and semi-permanent market lights, it is the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. It is also the place Amanda and Buddy chose to hold their rustic, laid-back wedding.
When I met with Amanda and Buddy, they told me they wanted their wedding to feel like a big backyard BBQ with lots of dancing. Their wedding coordinator Lisa worked with them to decorate the venue with rustic furniture and décor pieces. The amazing staff and chef at Plated Events saw to the BBQ portion with an amazing buffet. And as you can guess…I took care of the dancing! From the very sentimental first dance to the very last song, the guests were engaged in the non-stop action and surprises. Amanda and Buddy didn’t just want their guests to attend any old wedding…they wanted to give them something to tell their friends about.
The first surprise of the night was that there was no cake. Who needs a cake when you have dozens of sweet and delicious donuts on hand to take care of everyone’s sweet craving. So instead of a “cake cutting,” Amanda and Buddy shared the “Splitting of the First Donut.” Instead of a bouquet toss, Amanda presented her bouquet to the couple in attendance who had been married the longest. However, the biggest surprise came in the middle of the epic dance party that we had going on that wooden dance floor. The famous In & Out Truck pulled right up along side the dance floor and opened up to feed the appetites that everyone had worked up by dancing. Double Doubles were dished out to everyone who wanted one (or two or three) and the party continued. It was much later than anyone expected when we finally wound this party down to a close. Amanda and Buddy took to the dance floor one last time to “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend. As the guests closed in for one big group hug, you could feel the love everyone had for Amanda and Buddy and the love they felt for each other.
Dave’s recommended vendors from this wedding included:
- Limoneria Ranch – www.limoneiraranchweddings.com
- Plated Events by Chef Jason – www.platedevents.com
- Style My Soiree – Lisa Engle – www.stylemysoiree.com