Europa Village Wedding | Alan & Dominique
Southern California Professional Photographer
As Professional Photographers here in Southern California, 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 any of those, as each one of them are truly great to work with. But perhaps our favorite part is hearing their stories. How they met, how they became interested in each other, their first date and of course, the proposal. This is especially true for Dominique and Alan. A truly wonderful couple that we had the pleasure of photographing their wedding at Europa Village down in Temecula.
Beauty, vintage, rustic, relaxing, oh the list goes on for this amazing wedding location. Europa Village began as a winery in 2011 and already has the reputation as one of the best for weddings and occasions. In fact, considered by many to be the best experience of all Temecula wineries in Southern California and are located at the entrance of the Temecula Wine Country. A Europa Village Wedding in Temecula makes for a beautiful wedding location.
Europa Village has plenty to offer when putting your wedding package together to fit your wants and needs. They offer a Bridal Suite, Engagement Parties, Bridal Showers, Rehearsal Dinners, Ceremonies, Receptions and after Wedding Brunches. Their gourmet meals are top notch, and of course they offer all the same as other locations when it comes to table settings, cutting of the cake and so much more. As you can imagine, this turned out to be the perfect location for Dominique and Alan’s wedding venue.
Dominique and Alan first met in 2000 when they attended the same middle school! They had a few friends in common throughout middle and high school, but it wasn’t until a few years had passed that a mutual friend had invited both of them to a birthday celebration. That’s when they really connected. Due to it being a few hours away, that same friend suggested they carpool together. No sparks were flying on the little road trip, but they had some time to catch up! After the birthday party, they ended up keeping in touch. So, when Dominique got a promotion at work, Alan took her out to celebrate (just as friends!). Things blossomed from there and now these once middle school buds are finally married!
Their Rose Gold Winery Wedding at Europa Village in Temecula, California was definitely a celebration to remember! One of their favorite things to do as a couple is to go out to wineries, so it was a special location for them to tie the knot!
Dominique was a stunning bride in her lace gown. While her lovely groom waited for his soon-to-be-wife, he was decked out in a deep blue suit with his groomsmen by his side in matching attire. Dominique’s blush pink bridal bouquet was a perfect combination with the touch of pink in the ties that the guys were all wearing. Because two of Dominique’s favorite things are pink and glitter, she wanted to tie those in any way that she possibly could! So, choosing pink and glittery bridesmaid’s dresses, along with other pink accents, was the perfect way to make her personality shine bright throughout her wedding day!
After the gorgeous and intimate outdoor ceremony surrounded by the lush greenery of the vineyard, it was time to celebrate these two becoming one! All of the details of this gorgeous celebration were captured by Three16 Photography for a lifetime of memories!
We would really like to thank Dominique and Alan 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.
Dominique and Alan’s Love Story
Tell us about your first date. Who was more nervous and what did you guys do?
Our first non-date was at Sevilla, a restaurant in Long Beach. We were celebrating Dominique’s promotion. I don’t think either one of us were too nervous, because we didn’t call it a date at the time and we had known each other so long. Dominique is a super picky eater and one of the things she remembers most is Alan unwrapping the bacon wrapped dates, so she could eat them (since she doesn’t eat bacon).
What’s the proposal story? Give us all the details and tell us, who cried first?
Alan proposed in Temecula at our favorite winery, Ponte Winery, in March. He told Dominique he was taking her there for her birthday (the proposal was two days before her birthday). We arrived at the winery about 30 minutes before our reservation and Alan said he wanted to take a walk out towards the gardens to see the vineyards. It was a rainy day, so Dominique wasn’t that thrilled with the idea of getting her hair all messed up in the rain, so she suggested they try to get seated early. Alan insisted that they walk a little and found a path that was somewhat covered and dry; Dominique reluctantly followed. Alan proposed in an area overlooking the vineyards. Dominique didn’t figure out what was happening until Alan started getting nervous and got down on one knee. After the proposal, Alan said “our parents are here.” To which Dominique, in a panic responded, “our parents have never met.” Alan said, “well they did a couple hours ago. They’ve been waiting at another winery until I gave them the green light to head over. So, they should be here in a few minutes.” Alan had planned dinner with the families in a private room at the winery and everyone had a great time. Alan had cookies made with two of our favorite pictures together. It was an amazing day!
As you approach the wedding day, what have you both enjoyed most about the wedding planning process?
Rose gold everything, oh and that it’s almost done.
What has been the hardest part about planning your wedding?
The fact that we decided to get new jobs and move across the country at the same time. Oh, and we decided on a short 6-month timeline!! For three months Alan was in Nashville, while Dom was still in California, so the wedding planning was mainly happening over the phone. We also had a really hard time deciding on a location, as we were torn between destination wedding in Maui or Temecula.
Why did you choose your particular wedding and reception venue?
We got engaged in Temecula and love going wine tasting there, so it only made sense. This isn’t the winery we got engaged at, but we were drawn to the European look of the place and that the venue was small enough to feel like everyone would be in the same area the whole time.
Where did you draw some of your inspiration from for your wedding day?
Dominique loves pink and glitter, so the main wedding color is rose gold, her classy version of pink and glitter. We both love a rustic look, so we combined the two, for a rustic glam type of theme.
Where are you going for the honeymoon and why did you choose that destination?
Greece – Santorini and Kythera
Italy – Florence
Austria – Salzburg
We are super excited. This will be Dominique’s first time to Europe. Alan has done quite a bit of traveling but hasn’t been to Greece or Italy yet. Kythera is a small Greek island that Dominique’s grandpa grew up on, so we will be meeting some relatives for the first time.
Salzburg was originally where Alan wanted to propose, but he could only get four days off from work. He told Dominique he wanted to go there for his 30th birthday and she said that was too far for four days and couldn’t be convinced. So, we will get to go to the site he originally wanted to propose.
Vendors used for Dominique and Alan’s gorgeous Europa Village Wedding:
Location Information
Ceremony & Reception: Europa Village
Address: 33475 La Serena Way, Temecula, CA 92591
Vendor Information
PHOTOGRAPHY
Company: Three16 Photography
Instagram: @three16photography
FLORIST
Company: Finicky Flowers
DJ
Name of Person: Easy Going Music DJ
CAKE
Name of Person: Havana Taste
HAIR
Name of Person: Jannie ReBrassier
MAKE-UP
Name of Person: Brittany Ariana
Instagram: @brittanyarianamakeup
DRESS
Company: CocoMelody
GROOM’S SUIT
Company: Macy’s
Brand / Designer: Tommy Hilfiger
WEDDING INVITATION
Company: Minted
Loved reading Alan and Dominique’s love story and Europa Village Wedding Day Blog? Show them some love by liking and commenting below! Also check out some of our other recent blogs like Joey and Laura’s Country Garden Caterers Wedding, and Steve and Maria’s Waterfront Wedding!
