Sunstone villa shoot ~ Mark Brooke Photography & Inspired Weddings and Events

From the hand-painted edible gold cake, to the tufted benches, luxurious taupe velvet sofa, and winery location, this Sunstone Villa shoot is styled to perfection. The bride wears a gorgeous gown by La Soie Bridal, vintage Vrba necklace and long Vrba necklace as her belt clasped by a Chanel brooch and the Groom wears his own Calvin Klein suit making this one heck of a stylish couple! Rani Hoover from Inspired Weddings and Events talks us through her inspiration for this elaborate shoot...  "I am so pleased to share my inspiration for the Villa Shoot at The Sunstone Winery.  I came across this amazing property while scouting for venues with a couple from LA and fell instantly in love.  The property is a 'green' property with in-floor heating, more than 80% reclaimed materials shipped over in containers from France and designed and built by the parents of the current owner.  Nestled in the Sunstone Vineyard which is an organic estate vineyard and sitting atop a bluff overlooking the river valley in Santa Ynez, I couldn’t wait to plan a shoot using every inch of the property. This shoot became very special to many of the vendors contributing as we learned the history of the property, styled the shoot with amazing vintage heirloom pieces and planned every detail from the heart." Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events "My inspiration: A two-story Italian Villa sits atop a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive trees with views to die for and all of the charm of a privately owned estate. The couple elopes to their family estate and invites their closest family and friends to enjoy a glass of welcome sparkling wine with floating hibiscus and follow the ribboned flags to the wishing wall.  Once there, the guests are asked to write a wish for the Bride and Groom and lace it in the wishing wall before joining them for an intimate and lavish dinner in front of the Villa.  After dinner guests witness a sunset ceremony overlooking the valley under a standing oak tree lit by a field of lanterns.  Post-ceremony fireside port, cigars, cake & truffles are waiting before they depart in classic style. The details, design and style all reflect the feel of a couple who have pulled the most cherished items from their family home to create a lavish tablescape full of love and personal touches; a truly intimate ceremony full of lanterns, and candlelight and dessert by the fire surrounded by loved ones.   If the love is in the details, the beautiful sky-blue La Tavola linen feels like the Bride pulled down a 14 foot drapery to dress the table, the hand painted place cards cling to the bone china Herand bowls and top the jars of freshly jarred olives from the orchard.  Even the scallop on the label mirrors the front door wood carving.  The Bride’s heirloom pieces of jewelry are her family’s treasured pieces made to feel as grand as the backdrop of the Villa. I have drawn inspiration for this shoot from a personal hand woven rug I’ve always loved and used it to anchor a 13 foot table lined with daylight candles.  The flames of silk ribbon with touches of leather, wood, vintage furs, antique Christofle silver, heirloom Herend bone china (loaned from a friend) and to-die-for vintage Chanel and Vrba jewels.  I love the elements of fire and air so these are present throughout, along with an air of mystery and surprise touches intended to inspire such as the welcome table and the wishing wall.  Toss in beautiful classical guitar wafting through the villa and cap off the evening off with a vintage 1941 Cadillac appointed with silk ribbons and a floral medallion. Perfection!" Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events "Nico from NLC Productions styled the florals to give the feel of items that were hand-picked from the Villa grounds, keeping a muted palette with fresh pops of color and embracing the natural rustic elements and surroundings.  Touches of pheasant dove and quail feathers along with vintage brooches and clasps, added texture, warmth and luxury. The handcrafted 14kt gold crown topping the bouquet is finished with amethyst and inspired by a carousel.  The starburst brooch adorning the ribbon tie is an heirloom piece belonging to Nico’s grandmother.   The boutonniere was built around a vintage key and the Bride’s hair was set off with a fascinator of pheasant feathers and a blood red dahlia.  The 6-foot Birch posts with hanah silk ribbons line the vineyard row to the wishing wall." Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events "The gorgeous Villa located just up the path from the Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, California. It is a private estate available for weddings and events and this shoot launches it’s inaugural season.  It can be used as a full estate rental sleeping up to 10 or as a day rental only with Bride and Groom preparation suites included with the site for ceremony and reception.  The 18^th century table, wood ceremony benches, port wine and truffle hutch and barrel all are venue pieces." Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events Photography ~ Mark Brooke Photography
Styling ~ Inspired Weddings and Events A huge thanks to Rani and Mark for submitting this shoot! See more in the gallery below... Vendor details: Photography: Mark Brooke Photography // Planner and stylist: Inspired Wedding & Events // Location: The Villa // Florals: NLC Productions // Hair and make up: Team Hair & Make Up // Stationery: Prairie Rose Press // Rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals // Wedding gown: La Soie Bridal // Models: Elly Brown & Rocky Fain // Wedding Cake: Sweet and Saucy // Cadillac: Classic Motoring