Rebecca and Ryan’s private ranch wedding in Monterey was definitely one for the books! These two actually booked me for their wedding last year, and as one might guess, COVID threw a monkey wrench into their plans. Having to push the big day back and back and back really wears on a couple, but Rebecca and Ryan really valued celebrating safely too! They decided to elope on their original wedding date, May 16, 2020. This year, April 18, 2021, I got to photograph their private ranch wedding in Monterey, which was meant to recreate their special day and relive it with their loved ones! Read on for all the darling details of this private ranch wedding in Monterey!

The Proposal & How They Met

“We met our sophomore year of high school. Becca was the new girl at school and it didn’t take long for her to stand out. In an attempt to come off as ‘cool’, I told her, ‘I think I like you’. I proposed to Becca years later by discovering a ring on the beach in beautiful Cambria, California. We were supposed to go camping in Big Sur to celebrate our ten-year anniversary but got rained out! So we ended up staying at an Airbnb on the beach in Cambria instead.” – Ryan

“With Ryan being an avid romantic, the deal was on. Later that night when we went camping in Big Sur for our ten-year anniversary (ended up getting rained on so we stayed at a beachy Airbnb), Ryan proposed in the rain on the sand. I was so surprised and excited! I wasn’t expecting it at all, which is a total miracle! Who knew 10 years down the road we would still be on this journey!” – Becca

A Private Ranch Wedding With Family

The recreated wedding date this year was on April 18, a Sunday. I was so thrilled to photograph this amazing couple and their friends and family at Rebecca’s family’s private ranch, Franscioni & Griva Corporation. Isn’t that amazing? The ranch grows grapes for local wineries like Bernardus, and they’re an agricultural ranch too- talk about hard work! 

According to Becca, working in the family business means they have quite the access to great wines! Sounds like working in a vineyard has its perks! Some favorites of theirs are Sauvignon blanc & pinot noir wines and Ryan particularly enjoys whiskey. I love learning these histories behind my couples!

All The Details Of A Private Ranch Wedding

The whole family was fixing the ranch to prep it for Rebecca and Ryan’s private ranch wedding in Monterey. They made it happen just in the nick of time! The ceremony took place on their front lawn with a big barn housing the reception, and a little barn for cocktails. Everything was COVID friendly and I loved every detail! The most amazing things were these beautiful wind fences to block out the wind tunnel from the mountains so it wouldn’t blow through the wedding!

Franscioni and Griva Corp. really have an immaculately put-together family home with a cohesive design and color story. The Garden House flowers really shined with this beautiful home! Rebecca’s mom was so friendly and sweet, and she kindly showed me all the family photos too!

We took Getting Ready photos right at home (Hair & Makeup | Blush Makeup Studio) and I got to capture all these lovely elements like Mom’s wedding pearls, the gown in the window (Bridal Gown | Pronovias’ Magnolia), Mom helping Becca with her veil and jewelry, and even a penny in the shoe (Bridal Shoes | Badgley Mischka)! Then, we did the First Look portraits on the bridge and a portrait session through the vineyard with these long hedges and gorgeous gardens. The day had perfect weather to match all the beautiful details of this private ranch wedding in Monterey like the original wedding invites and of course, the rings (Wedding Bands | Brilliant Earth & Manly Bands)!

What Do You Love Most About Your Partner?

“I love how funny, kind, and generous Ryan is, not to mention handsome! We’ve grown up with each other these last few years and I could not ask for a better partner. He always saves me the last bite of any special treat we are sharing and I love him for it.” – Becca

“Becca’s sense of humor and her ability to make me melt with that unmistakable smile has to be my favorite. Not just because she’s going to read this, but Becca is very intelligent and also happens to be quite pleasant on the eyes. I am insanely fortunate to call Becca mine.” – Ryan

All In A Day’s Work

Weddings can be stressful of course, but Rebecca and Ryan’s private ranch wedding in Monterey was so seamless thanks to Pocketful of Plans! There were endless smiles and dancing through it all, especially during Ryan and his mom’s choreographed dance! Not to mention the cake by Freedom Bakery, firework exit, AND surprise ice cream at the end!

I’m so honored to have been chosen as Rebecca and Ryan’s local Monterey wedding photographer for their special, recreated day. I’m especially honored to have worked with an amazing team of vendors to make this private ranch wedding in Monterey everything it deserved to be and more! If you’re looking for a local Monterey wedding photographer, you’ve found her! Book me here, and let’s make your special day as lovely as you!

Vendor Team:

Planner | Pocketful Of Plans

Hair & Makeup | Blush Makeup Studio

Flowers | The Garden House

Cake | Freedom Bakery

Rentals | Chic Entertainment

Bridal Gown | Pronovias’ Magnolia

Bridal Shoes | Badgley Mischka

Wedding Bands | Brilliant Earth & Manly Bands

Wedding Attire | Bill Levkoff

Groom’s Outfit + Shoes: Men’s Wearhouse