Destination Wedding at Spring Ranch in Mendocino California
Probably one of the most sentimental and nostalgic weddings I’ve ever photographed, hands down!! From the bride’s dress to the handwritten thank you letters as escort cards for the sit down reception dinner, the vows to throwing its-its out on the dance floor in lieu of cake, the tracking of the Oregon Ducks Hockey Game during the reception and every other little detail in between. This Mendocino, California wedding was one for the record books!
Kari + Nick met at the end of the night on a party bus heading back from a Zac Brown Band concert. She sat next to him (obviously she thought he was cute) and then ended up hanging out until 3am that night. They followed up with a date the next few weeks and then very quickly decided each was the right one. Then in the beginning of October 2022 surrounded by family and friends on the headlands of Mendocino, California Kari + Nick exchanged vows and then made their way to Spring Ranch for a fun filled evening of dinner and dancing.
“Spring Ranch feels like a world away from everything”- yes, I stole that from their website because it’s true. When we arrived for the first time (shocking right, this was my first wedding there!) we were left taken aback by the timelessness and comfort of the “Grand Victorian” mansion, reception spaces (in the event barn), and the bridal loft. Each space was filled to the brim with nostalgia and rustic elegance. The eucalyptus trees and meadows surrounding the ranch were pure magic on Kari + Nick’s fog drenched day.
The venue is a short mile drive (or walk for brave souls who prefer to walk down the highway) from the quaint town of Mendocino. Stealing just another little tidbit from their site: “Spring Ranch is the event venue that brings people together to celebrate the best of living.” This description was perfect for Kari + Nick’s wedding and when I tell you that their reception was FUN….
Well don’t take my word for it, scroll down to see for yourself!
Photographer: Chelsi McFadden | Wedding Coordinator: Mendocino Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Mendocino Bay Overlook | Reception Venue + Bridal Suite: Spring Ranch | Florals: Golden Coast Florals | Bartending: Mendocino Outland | Catering: Feast Mendocino | DJ + Photo Booth: NorCal Pro Sound | Rentals: Matt Rowland Events
Chelsi McFadden is an adventurous destination wedding and intimate elopement photographer based in Mendocino, California, but she is ready to travel pretty much anywhere transportation can take her. She lives for beautiful light, intimate moments, and emotionally compelling photographs. Her style is raw, friendly, and genuine. She believes in enjoying every sunrise, being true to oneself, and most importantly: capturing the true emotion of wedding days through genuine and raw connections.
Mendocino Coast California Backyard Boho Wedding | Abigail + Chantz
After 5 1/2 years of a long distance relationship, a 2 years long engagement and a pandemic in between, Abigail + Chantz just couldn't wait to get married.
Their June 2021 wedding day started with Abigail getting ready in a suite at The Inn at Newport Ranch. { Located a roughly 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco on the Mendocino Coast of California, The Inn at Newport Ranch is part of a 2,000-acre coastal cattle ranch surrounded by miles of ridge top coastal views and 20 miles of trails winding through giant redwoods. Guest rooms are decorated in various coastal-craftsman styled themes. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a cow or two out your window because this is a working ranch! } Chantz left Abigail a beautifully written love note in her suite. Of course she read it and her sisters gushed. Her mom and grandmas came over to help her get dressed. Then it was time to head to Chantz’s family home where Abigail would have a first-look with her dad and then Chatz would get to see his beautiful bride for the first time too!
Then, Surrounded by just 16 of their closest family and friends in Chantz’s family home, nestled between Fort Bragg and Westport California on the rugged and wild Mendocino Coast, Abigail + Chantz exchange vows underneath a handmaid teepee, hosted an authentic Italian dinner catered by Luna Trattoria, kissed beneath the most gorgeous sunset I think I have ever seen here on the coast, and hung around the bonfire with their friends and family.
My boho-loving heart nearly exploded when I saw Abigail’s lace dress and the teepee beneath which they would say “I do”.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I often say that best weddings are the ones where the couple makes their day completely about their love story. If eloping without guests is your thing, do it. Wanna be surrounded by the people you love most dearly and still have a small wedding celebration? Do that. Love the idea of having a "big fat greek wedding" style affair, go for it. Just make sure you do what makes the two of you happy!
If Abigail + Chantz’s wedding day isn’t enough proof, I don’t know what is. My words could never do their beautiful day justice, so please scroll down and see for yourself!
Photographer: Chelsi McFadden | Bridal Suite: The Inn at Newport Ranch | Ceremony + Reception: Private Residence | Florals: Mendocino Floral Design
Mendocino Coast Adventure Session | Allie + Gabe
Gabe + Allie wanted to celebrate their 11 year anniversary in a way that they would never forget. So, they decided to leave the kids at home in Kansas City, Missouri and fly to Cali to take a road trip up the coast on HWY 1.
I met them on a beach on the Mendocino Coast on sunny June evening. I brought the wine and they brought the wildly romantic fun. I love it when my couples show up ready for date night and make their session truly about having fun and relaxing together. That’s why when I heard what Alli had envisioned, I was 100% all-in!
When I asked her (she is also a photographer back home in Kansas) what she envisioned for their photo session here’s what she said:
“I love the idea of doing a beach session that's super romantic and fun (I think those two can co-exist, right?!). In the past, whenever Gabe and I have gotten pictures together (besides our wedding), it's been during a family session and we have like 30 seconds where the kids aren't running off and we're just trying to squeeze in a few shots. :) I tend to feel less-than-relaxed during those moments and I can tell that my face feels like it freezes in a huge, cheesy smile. Gabe admits he's the same way so most of our pictures are just us smiling like crazy and we end up acting a little more silly than romantic.
All that to say, I'd LOVE some photos that are more calm and where we are really relaxed and feeling in the moment so we can truly be ourselves (not that we're not often cheesy and we do love to laugh) but I think I'd love some "quieter" pictures.
Of course we'd love some really fun shots as well. I may be a little partial, but I think Gabe's pretty funny (one of the things that drew me to him), so I have no doubt there will be tons of laughter too.”
I honestly don’t know what Allie is talking about when she says that she feels less than relaxed, because these two absolutely slayed this photo session. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other (a photographers dream) and had the best time playing and running on the beach. It was so refreshing to see two people so wildly in love even after 11 years of marriage.
Not only did they slay in the romance department, but their outfit choices were also very on point. Being a photographer helps with this, but also, they took my suggestions to heart when creating their color pallette and outfit style. If you’re interested in seeing some suggestions, you can check out this blog post. Even better than that, they were totally down to play mermaids with me on the beach. Gabe even agreed to play the part of Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid
Thank you so much Allie + Gabe for being so incredibly sweet, hiring me to capture your 11 year anniversary, and being up all my crazy prompts!
Elegant Switzer Farm Wedding | Erin + Dan
When Erin + Dan first met at an outdoor bar in Sacramento, they never could have imagined just a short time later they would be exchanging at Switzer Farm in Westport, California. When I asked them to describe how they met and fell in love, here’s what Dan had to say:
”We met at an outdoor bar in Sacramento over a game of corn hole. We both still argue to this day on who won. Erin played soccer in college and when she heard my friends and I talk about our coed drinking soccer league she asked to play and the rest was history. I scored.”
I agree Dan, you definitely scored!
On a uniquely sunny November day in Westport, California, in front of their closest family and friends, with the pacific ocean as their backdrop, they celebrated the beginning of their new life together as husband and wife. And this Mendocino Wedding Photographer is beyond thrilled she grabbed herself an invite to the party!
The guests were greeted by Mendocino Outland with Welcome Tequila Shots, then ushered to the ceremony site down the garden path where we would witness a unique ceremony, with not only one, but two officiants, sports announcer style.
After exchanging their “I do's”, Erin + Dan shared a celebratory beer to seal the deal. Then we took a few photos together with Switzer Farm and the ocean in the background, then it was time to head to their reception tent where Dan would serenade their guests with his spectacular trombone playing. Then they would share their first dance and cut the cake. The night ended with a dance club vibe, complete with disco ball.
But don’t let me keep you any longer. Check it all out for yourself!
Photography: Chelsi McFadden Photography/ Venue: Switzer Farm / Wedding Planner: Mendocino Weddings/ Mixology: Mendocino Outland / Hair: Kayla Arielle Artistry / Makeup: Olivia Garvin / Rentals: Matt Rowland
