Southern California Professional Photographer

Being Professional Photographers here in Southern California, we love shooting photography at so many of the awesome venues that we come across. But more importantly, we just adore the couples we meet, whether it’s to photograph their engagement session, their wedding, various stages of their family life, or any combination of those, as each one of them is truly great to work with. But perhaps our favorite part of what we do isn’t so much the photoshoots as much as it is meeting and hearing their stories. How they met, how they became interested in each other, their first date, and of course, the proposal. And this is especially true for Spencer and Jackie. A wonderful couple that we had the pleasure of photographing their gorgeous Bella Vista Groves wedding.

Located in Fillmore, California, in the county of Ventura, Bella Vista Groves are experts at creating special events. If a country setting is what you are seeking, then this venue would be the ideal place for you. Bella Vista Groves is located near the base of the Topatopa Mountains, they exude a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere with a touch of elegance and yet still have that rustic feel to it. It sits on 34 acres of private property in Heritage Valley and is surrounded by mountain views, amazing gardens, and the aromas of their fruit orchards. This location definitely brings great backdrops to your ceremony and wedding photos.

What started out as a random chance meeting at a fun sailing competition, has now turned into matrimony. Jackie definitely played the part of a beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle in her gorgeous Bella Bridal Couture wedding gown. Waiting for her at the altar in his black Michael Kors tux from Friar Tux was Spencer looking ever so dapper. The groomsmen also wore black tuxedos and a lighter shade of blue tie to match those of the bridesmaid’s dresses. The ceremony ran smoothly thanks in large part to Seaside Ceremonies that offer Officiant services.

The after-party was really alive as the sounds of DJ Sota Entertainment kept the music flowing all evening long. The venue was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements by Flowermaid, INC, while the stunning wedding cake by Sweet Art Bake Shop was a showstopper.

All of the details of this beautiful wedding were captured by the team at Three16 Photography.

We would really like to thank Jackie and Spencer for allowing Three16 Photography to be part of your special day. We wish you many years of love and happiness.

Check out their love story. We hope you enjoy it, and their photos, as much as we do.

Jackie and Spencer’s Love Story

How did you both meet and who liked who first?

We met at a fun sailing competition in Marina Del Ray that mixed people around, so you didn’t know the rest of your crew. We were just randomly placed on the same boat. At the end of the event Jackie had to leave early, which gave her a “reason” to get Spencer’s phone number so he could “tell her the results of the race.” Well, one good morning text later we never stopped talking.

To this day, we’re unsure who liked who first. It was kind of an all at once kind of thing that has never stopped.

Tell us about your first date. Who was more nervous and what did you guys do?

We didn’t really have a “first date.” What we did have was, after two months of talking over text messages, the first time I got to see him in person since we met. I got lost trying to find his house and didn’t make it to see him till after dark. During all this time of me running around the Palmdale boondocks through dirt roads that I have never since found again, he was waiting outside at his gate for me to arrive as if I was going to find it the first try or something. After I was finally “rescued” and ushered to the proper address through the back-dirt roads of his area, I was promptly and awkwardly invited to have dinner with his parents. How’s that for a first date?

What’s the proposal story? Give us all the details and tell us, who cried first?

Spencer had the ring burning a hole in his pocket for three months, just waiting for our planned skiing trip in Mammoth. We drove around while site seeing the night before and discovered a small lake that we walked around. We went back the next morning for “more pictures” and another walk around the lake, then we found a nice place where we could stop and look out over the lake. I got up on a rock to look around and behind me, Spencer got down on one knee without me noticing. After calling my name a few times to get me to turn without startling me (so I wouldn’t fall in the lake), I finally saw him down there waiting for me. Frozen in place, standing on the rock he asked me point blank, “Jackie, will you marry me?” Dumbfounded I said, “what?!” He repeated, “will you marry me?” Covering my face giggling (still on the rock) I said “Yes, YES, of course, yes!” I came down from the rock finally and smothered him in a hug, kissed him, and then he slid the ring on my finger.

As you approach the wedding day, what have you both enjoyed most about the wedding planning process?

Wedding planning has been a process and it’s been a lot of hard work that no one truly prepares you for. But despite that, our favorite part of the process has been finding the venue and traveling around looking for things we like. It made those days their own micro-adventures in small towns we might not ever go to otherwise.

What has been the hardest part about planning your wedding?

Everything.

Why did you choose your particular wedding and reception venue?

We wanted a rustic wedding venue that wasn’t overly kitschy. Something that was classy and outdoors that would really be “us”.

Where did you draw some of your inspiration from for your wedding day?

The inspiration for our wedding day is really just about having fun and having a day about us. We, as a couple, are usually so caught up in worrying about others and being that helping hand to anyone that needs it, that we needed to be special. We want to have the best night and share it with friends and family that love us. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Where are you going for the honeymoon and why did you choose that destination?

Let’s start with that Spencer has never been out of the country. So, we couldn’t just choose somewhere in the states, that wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. So instead we are going all out and going to France and hopefully Germany as well. We are super excited to get out of the country and have some alone time without having anything but ourselves to worry about.

Vendors used for Jackie and Spencer’s gorgeous Bella Vista Groves Wedding:

Location Information

Ceremony & Reception: Bella Vista Groves

Address: 3117 W. Telegraph Rd., Fillmore, CA 93015
Website: bellavistagroves.com

Instagram: @bellavistagroves

Vendor Information

COORDINATOR
Company: Lavender and Lemon Events

Website: lavenderandlemonevents.com
Instagram: @lavenderandlemonevents

PHOTOGRAPHY
Company: Three16 Photography

Website: Three16photography.com
Instagram: @three16photography

FLORIST
Company: Flowermaid, INC.

Website: flowermaid.com
Instagram:@flowermaidla