This Galway Downs wedding in Temecula, California boasts of an equestrian center and a winery that comes together to create a gorgeous and wonderfully unique venue with beautiful backdrops for any wedding. It’s definitely one of our favorite venues in wine country!

On this particular day, we had the true honor of photographing the wedding and reception for DJ and Lauren White. DJ and Lauren met years ago in Junior High science class, where we guess you could say their “chemistry” started to build! It wasn’t until after college, though, that they reconnected on Facebook and began to develop more of a friendship. DJ asked Lauren on a date (without her realizing it was a date!) and they walked for hours along the beach picking up seashells and getting to really know each other.

The proposal happened on a perfect November day in 2017. DJ had concocted the perfect plan to surprise Lauren. Seamlessly integrating a GoPro into their daily lives for over three months, DJ recorded the entire day of the engagement. The location was at Oak Glen, where the weather was sunny, but also with a chance of rain. The plan was to go apple picking, but in typical fashion to most of their dates, something had to go wrong. Apple season ended the weekend before! Laughing it off, they went berry picking instead! DJ got down on one knee to the preemptive tune “She Said Yes” by the Wedding Band (their favorite band, Mumford and Sons), and the rest is history! (Note: don’t ask DJ what hand he put the ring on!)

Just a little over a year after the proposal adventure was their perfect fall wedding at Wedgewood at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. This dreamy and elegant rustic wedding celebration was the perfect setting for these two to say their “I-dos”.

Lauren was dressed in an intricately detailed lace a-line gown, with a beaded bodice and open back from Pebbles Bridal. Her lovely groom wore a black suit from Friar Tux, with a blue vest and a colorful floral tie! Their bridal party stood by their side in gorgeous blue-gray gowns and rich navy suits. Lauren completed her look with makeup by Belle Femme by Natalie and a perfectly curled up-do by Meghan Valerie Hair and Makeup. To complement the blue hues, she and her bridal party carried blooming bouquets of white, maroon, and pink.

First was the ceremony, which was set outdoors on a lush green lawn with a beautiful towering tree and a sparkling lake as the backdrop. Their handcrafted wooden arch altar was decorated with maroon, white, and green floral arrangements by Events by Floral Sensations and dressed in elegant flowing white linens. With sunlight peeking through the trees, a stunning background, and an even more beautiful couple, it was easy for us at Three16 Photography to capture this dreamy scene.

Next, it was time to celebrate! Galway Down’s open indoor event space with rustic accents, draping linens in front of the ceiling, and an abundance of twinkling lights, was the perfect setting for their reception celebration. Tunes were provided by Austin Murray Entertainment, and The Batter Up Bakery crafted a simple yet elegant cake!