Sand Rock Farm Wedding Photography~Julia & Kyle

There are certain couples that right from the first meeting you just know they are perfect for each other. That is Julia and Kyle! I adore the way they just smile from ear to ear in each other’s presence. So much laughter and love with these two- such a pleasure to be around!Sand Rock Farm is such a stunning location, one of my favorites for weddings! The venue is so unique, charming and offers a very intimate setting as you are completely surrounded by nature. Julia’s elegant dress was perfect for her! Julia got ready with the girls, some of which were her bridesmaids and some of which were groomsmaids! I love when couples have mixed genders standing up for them! Kim Guiley did such an incredible job with hair and makeup!I love how the bridesmaids wore a deep purple color dress and the groomsmaids are in teal!Beautiful!!!On the other side of the venue, Kyle and his groomsman John were doing a different kind of getting ready! They were getting the cake ready! Kyle being the Lego-loving engineer decided to make a Lego wedding cake! It was harder than it looked for sure but they finally finished and it was perfect!!Kyle started to get dressed and then had a little help from his groomsmaids  getting his hair just perfect!We set up Kyle in one of the shaded gardens as it was a really hot day.  In fact, Julia and Kyle got married on a day that it broke 100 degrees here in Aptos! This is basically unheard of!!! In fact it usually gets so chilly that they had ordered heat lamps to keep guests warm!  Well, let’s just say the heat lamps were not needed!

I love seeing this angle of Julia walking towards him, there was so much buzz in the air!!!

So much sweetness with First Looks, I just love them!!!First Looks are such a nice way for the couple to spend some time with each other before the wedding day festivities get going!

After 5 minutes or so, we started to move around the grounds taking some portraits.  Julia and Kyle were so easy to photograph. Lots of giggling, hugs and kisses from these two!I was in photo heaven! I had a beautiful couple on a stunning and diverse property and a nice chunk of time to take lots of pictures!  I love that Julia and Kyle carved out time from their day for photographs!
Ceremony time! How can you not smile when you’re greeted by this little cutie?At each seat were these booklets!  They were so well done and held so much information.  I love the page where they celebrated the wedding party!Kyle was escorted down the aisle by his Mom.These two have a very sweet bond- as a Mama of a little boy this always makes my heart melt!Next Kyle’s Dad escorted Julia’s Mom down the aisle!Here comes the beautiful bride, escorted down the aisle by her proud Dad!
I love that look on Kyle’s face! The parents were invited up to start off the ceremony.  They said a blessing and then hilariously gave each other high 5s!!! One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was all the parent involvement! It started with Julia’s Mom reciting a poem she wrote about Julia when she was a little girl. Then Kyle’s Dad also recited a poem he had written about Kyle! They then each wrote a new poem about Julia and Kyle for their wedding!  These are some talented family members!
Lots of teary eyes!!!The officiant did such a wonderful job, the ceremony was so lovely and full of emotions!Julia and Kyle then read to each other their personalized vows.Julia had the best smile when she was telling Kyle her vows to him!

Kiss the bride!!!!Married!!!And officially married!!!!  Look at that happiness!The reception was held in the open field area. Sand Rock Farm has lots of different choices for where the ceremony, cocktail hour or reception is held. So many options for customizing your wedding day based on your personal likes and also the size of your wedding.

Great touch how Julia & Kyle’s first table was zero not one!

Even though I did have plenty of time with Julia and Kyle earlier…. I could not resist one more on this charming path up to the main house!The cocktail hour was held in the wine cellar, a unique area with beautiful ivy draping the walls.

Kyle started off the reception by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming out to celebrate!

Julia’s maid of honor was up next telling funny stories about helping Kyle prepare to propose to Julia!Next up was Kyle’s sister, can you tell from that look? Hearing the sibling childhood stories is the best!This little sweetie was enjoying the toasts as well!Next up was Kyle’s groomsman telling tales of skipping school dances to play video games! Awesome!!
Last up was Julia’s Dad. Always so sweet to hear the kind words a Dad has to say to his daughter and new son in law on their wedding day!Julia and Kyle greeted guests while everyone enjoyed their delicious dinner, the food created by  5 Star Caterering was incredible!Have I told you how much kids at weddings crack me up? My 4 year old also seems to think his nose is a great place for his finger!The children at this wedding were all so adorable!Everyone moved back into the wine cellar for the formal dances.  Julia and Kyle did the sweetest choreographed dance!Their smiles are so contagious! There was so much happiness throughout this whole wedding day!Julia then shared a dance with her Dad. It was then Kyle’s turn to dance with his Mom and of course… everyone was getting all doey eyed!It was time to dry those eyes and get the party going! It may have been 100 degrees but that didn’t stop everyone from shaking it on the dance floor!
Ta da!  The Lego cake!!!! Kyle did such an incredible job!
Cupcakes too and of course a little cake was added to the Lego cake for cutting!
Adorable!Haha, everyone was trying to figure out how Kyle created the Lego cake!Later the top of the cake made for a perfect spot to photograph the wedding rings!
All sugared up the dancing kept going and everyone was having a blast……though a few sneaky friends went and did a little decorating 😉Julia & Kyle’s car was sure to receive lots of beeps on the highway!The lovely day was coming to an end and everyone circled around the newlyweds!  I love when weddings end like this- one big group hug!
And of course, a kiss!!!

Julia and Kyle, thank you so much for having us at your wedding! I enjoyed being around your happiness from the very first meeting to the engagement session to the fabulous wedding day!!!

Special thanks to Lynn of Duke and Pearl for her exceptional wedding coordination!!! Everything was perfect!