Zach and Jess hired me for their welcome dinner party the night before their Folktale Winery wedding. It’s such an honor, not to mention a SUPER fun time, getting to spend the weekend with my couples! I got to meet all their friends and family, which was such a highlight for me as a local Carmel wedding photographer. There’s nothing like a weekend wedding experience!

Zach and Jess’s welcome dinner party was in the Carmel Highlands and themed after a beer garden. SO cute and very well done! Zach and Jess are honestly two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met as a local Carmel wedding photographer, SO head-over-heels for each other!

Folktale Winery & Vineyards Wedding

We got some fog that rolled in pretty hard and thick the day of Zach and Jess’ welcome party. Which I think is really part of the experience! After all, they had a ton of family and friends who came from different parts of the country to celebrate with them. As a local Carmel wedding photographer, the fog is part of the magic, trust me!

The Folktale Winery wedding day started clear and beautiful at Bernardus Lodge & Spa where Jess, her sister, and her mom got ready in one of the suites. Jess’ dress and shoes and all the most beautiful little details were STUNNING to photograph in the morning! Then, we focused on a few bridal portraits before heading off to the main event.

Folktale Winery First Look

Zach and Jess did their first look near the barrel room at Folktale Winery. It was SUCH a gorgeous and intimate moment (pretty sure I saw a few tears from them ;)! The team at Folktale Winery & Vineyards is so awesome. They set up this beautiful ceremony right in the rose garden with mountains in the backdrop and full flowery arches.

Film Wedding Romance

The reception and cocktail hour of their Folktale Winery wedding took place in the front courtyard at the vineyard house. Zach and Jess’ friends walked down the aisle with candles, and I knew who all of them were because I’d met them the night before. It was a really fun and friendly experience as a local Carmel wedding photographer getting to know, and of course, party with them!

The weekend was full of this elevated and elegant charm, sweetness, and romanticism. There was this really cool, minimalistic piano and cake set up with all the most romantic candlelight! Not to mention the sunset portraits I got to take of Zach and Jess afterward. Honestly, it was the greatest weekend spent with an awesome couple, their friends and family, and an amazing team of vendors (listed below)!

Thinking of a Folktale Winery wedding of your own? Get a local Carmel wedding photographer on your team! I love photographing at this venue and would love to capture your special day there! Contact me here.