The Villa at Sunstone is one of those venues that will transport you to a private estate in Italy. With so many couples wanting to have a destination wedding during the time of Covid, the Sunstone Winery is the perfect alternative. Imagine exchanging vows with the gentle warm Southern California breeze, the warm sun wrapping you in a warm glow and the rolling hills and vineyards behind you as your beautiful backdrop. Italy will not be missed at this gorgeous venue. The Sunstone Winery is a jewel of a place in the Southern California hills with the quaint little town of Solvang not too far away. You could spend hours wandering around the 55 acre winery and feel completely in awe of the beauty.
The Sunstone Winery is a beautiful property speaking to the romance of its natural elements surrounding it. Nestled in the Santa Ynez hills and surrounded by picturesque views of a rolling mountainous terrain, the Tuscan inspired estate was built from imported limestone from a small village in France and the wood beams and roof tiles were reclaimed from a 19th century lavender factory, once owned by Queen Victoria herself. The special place is warm and inviting by all the people that run it making it a very pleasant stay and a wonderful place to have a wedding.
This styled shoot by Heather Benge of Styled shoots across America was a modern romance that would still compliment the old world feel of the villa. Having a styled shoot is a way to express what we can do for your wedding day. My intention was to instill a sense of romance in my images while showing my couple’s who get married there the inspiration of what this place can intel. I want all my couples that view this gallery to insert themselves in the images to see what getting married in wine country can feel like.
The glamorous natural environment was inviting and a key part to play off of the gorgeous sun washed terra cotta stone. The stones had originally been imported from a small town in the South of France years ago when it had first been built. Alongside the manicured Italian cypress trees and all through the property grew Olive trees that prominently danced in the morning wind bringing a soft sage green to our shoot. Having a neutral color pallet was an obvious perfect choice. Yellow being the Pantone color of the year was a pleasant and vibrant color to add to the shoot. The pops of yellow mimosa with the yellow tulips played well together against the white roses and greenery. All along the buildings grew beautiful vines that bloom white roses in the spring which made it feel like it was apart of the design and styling of the shoot. The hand selected details in the plates, tall candles, vintage glassware, and table accents embellished the old world feel while the youthful models played up a joyful and fun romance keeping the vibe fresh and modern. It was the perfect day in soft elegant light to capture this incredible vineyard with our perfectly posed models.
Wine country in Sonoma and Napa is pretty hard to beat, but I must admit that I was smitten with this place beyond what I had imagined I would be. I did my research on the Suntone in Santa Ynez and really loved the decor of the place but being there took it to a whole other level of amazingness. I loved waking up with the soft morning layer of dew lingering above the vineyards creating a sense of mystery yet inviting a romantic fuzzy feeling with a European flavor. I definitely want to go back and shoot weddings here!
