A Whimsical Fairytale Wedding at the Beautiful Hartley Farms
A Fairytale Wedding at San Luis Obispo’s Best Garden Wedding Venue
Once upon a time in the enchanting town of San Luis Obispo, a free-spirited couple named Spencer and Rachel embarked on a journey to create the whimsical garden wedding of their dreams at Hartley Farms. I was so happy when they found me to photograph their day- as a SLO wedding photography who specializes in romantic and fairytale wedding themes, I was nothing short of exuberant.
Their love story is one of joy, romance, and a shared passion for dance, and they wanted nothing less than a magical celebration to mark the beginning of their happily ever after. Rachel and Spencer held their fairytale wedding at the beautiful garden and botanical wedding venue Hartley Farms. This amazing venue is filled with lush gardens, ponds, huge oak trees, and vineyards, creating a magical experience for a wedding day. The theme of their special day was all about togetherness, love, and laughter- oh and dancing!
Rachelle, being a performer and singer, lives a life full of joy, and Spencer is the perfect match for her. They had a large wedding party consisting of their closest friends- her bridesmaids wore mauve dresses and groomsmen navy suits. The flowers at their wedding were absolutely stunning, with pink and purple peonies and delicate ranunculus bursting with color.
I took special care in capturing Rachelle’s flat lays, and I was thrilled with how beautiful and whimsical they turned out. Whimsy is definitely the perfect word to describe their wedding- and I just love pulling out all the stops to create detail photos like these.
Communication and Preparation is Key when Planning a San Luis Obispo Wedding
We spent a lot of time preparing for their big day, going through the timeline with their amazing wedding planner, Karen. I even met with them for a walkthrough of their venue which really paid off, as everything went perfectly. Putting the preparation in before your wedding is key!
As guests arrived at the venue, they were transported into a world of enchantment. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and everywhere you looked, shades of pink and purple adorned the landscape. The couple had meticulously chosen their color palette to reflect the romance and whimsy they shared.
A Fairytale Wedding Ceremony Under A Giant Oak Tree
The ceremony took place in a secluded courtyard area surrounded by lush greenery and gardens. A winding path led guests to a magical clearing to watch the couple say “I do” under a towering oak tree in a built in ceremony area that is a really special aspect of Hartley Farms. As Spencer and Rachel exchanged vows, butterflies seemed to flutter around them, adding to the fairytale atmosphere.
Their wedding reception had so many fun and unique touches- the reception area was a vision straight out of a storybook. Long wooden tables were adorned with blue crystal goblets and centerpieces bursting with pink and purple blooms. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, creating a warm and romantic ambiance. Behind their sweetheart table, there were tiny paper cranes hanging to honor Rachelle’s Japanese heritage.
They Added Whimsical Touches Like Pie and Donuts for Their Garden Theme
Instead of a traditional cake cutting, they decided to cut a pie together, which perfectly represented their sweet and playful personalities. As the night unfolded, laughter echoed, and joy radiated from every corner of Hartley Farms. Friends and family toasted to the newlyweds, celebrating not just a union of two souls but a testament to the power of love and the magic it brings. As a special surprise, the bride’s mother arranged for their friends to perform a coordinated dance and song during the toasts.
Choosing the picturesque Hartley Farms as the backdrop for their nuptials, Spencer and Rachel envisioned a wedding that was not just a ceremony but a living fairytale. The venue, with its sprawling gardens and rustic charm, provided the perfect canvas for their dream to come to life. The whimsical fairytale theme extended to every detail, from the charming pies and lavender donuts, to the pastel colored flip flops for guests to wear. Each element was carefully curated to immerse guests in the love story of Spencer and Rachel.
The Danced The Night Away Under A Sky Full Of Stars
The night was filled with laughter, love, and incredible dance moves. It was truly a wedding overflowing with joy. It was such a pleasure to capture this joyful wedding day with such a romantic and free spirited couple. The photos reflect the romance, the soft and pretty colors, and the feminine and light atmosphere of the wedding. It was such a pretty and fun celebration that will be treasured forever, and I will definitely look back on this day as one of my favorite weddings of all time!
The couple’s love for dance was showcased during their first dance as husband and wife. The dance floor, nestled under a canopy of trees, became the stage for their graceful moves and the celebration of their love. Guests joined in, creating a magical moment that will be etched in everyone’s memories.
Spencer and Rachel’s fairytale wedding at Hartley Farms was a day filled with love, laughter, and the kind of magic that only happens when two free-spirited souls come together. As the stars shone brightly overhead, it was clear that their journey had only just begun, and the pages of their own fairytale were waiting to be written. And so, in the heart of San Luis Obispo the couple danced off into the night, leaving behind a trail of love and memories that would last a lifetime.
