man and woman cuddle together at Bella Vista Groves by California Wedding Photographer Jennifer Lourie

I could share this Bella Vista Groves wedding in Fillmore, California all day every day. Filled with navy blue accents, sunset kisses, and tons of tears; Rachel and Jon could not have had a more beautiful, heart wrenching Southern California fall wedding if they tried. I was lucky to be a part of their team of vendors, that they frequently referred to as ‘The Dream Team’ and with how beautiful the decor for this day turned out, they had to be right.

I love how Rachel and Jon describe their wedding goals, because it definitely reflects what I try to encourage all of my couples to do. They told me, “We weren’t looking for anything extravagant but something that says us; we knew we wanted to make our day special and far from ordinary.”

Bella Vista Groves provided the perfect backdrop for their ‘special’ vibe, with 34 acres of nature to wander around. Complete with citrus groves overlooking the Santa Clarita landscape, it was hard to not take a pretty picture here. My favorite moment of the entire day had to be their first look in Bella Vista Grove’s separate meadow, and Rachel and Jon were quick to agree.

They knew it was the perfect location right off the bat! They said, “Our venue had a beautiful meadow just outside of it where we decided to do our first look. It was surrounded by gorgeous greenery right in the middle of acres of avocado orchards. Rachel says that she wasn’t nervous up until she was walking behind Jon and that moment she touched his shoulder to turn around is one that she will never forget. Neither Jon or Rachel could keep in together and both nearly immediately were wiping away tears from each others faces. This moment was truly perfect.”

This beautiful October wedding day ended with a sparkler exit lit by full moon, and of course a dance party with glow sticks- something every reception dance party definitely needs. I absolutely loved getting to photograph Rachel and Jon’s incredible wedding day, and talk to them about all of their plans along the way. We also had a chance to get together for an engagement session at Lizards Mouth Rock, and really I could not have been more lucky to be hired by this gorgeous couple and get to photograph this incredible day at Bella Vista Groves.