Wedding at The Retro Ranch in Temecula with Eucalyptus

Los Angeles based clothing designer Talia Hancock and Milwaukee Brewers professional baseball player, Bryan Petersen had a gorgeous wedding at The Retro Ranch in Temecula, California earlier this year. We will let the venue, decor, fashion, and Talia do the talking!

Remarks from the bride: “We opted for greenery over florals, as the ceremony and reception were both outdoors. There was lots of lush eucalyptus with peonies, hydrangea, and wildflowers sprinkled in. The ceremony aisle was lined with tree stumps holding candles, reclaimed wood signs to help people find their seats, and rose petals. Our alter was a blanket of rose petals and eucalyptus was hung on the arbor. The bridesmaids walked in carrying mason jars and bird cages accented with ribbons and flowers and each girl hung their jar or cage from a string hanging from the arbor. Thus, the bridesmaids slowly decorated the arbor as they walked down the aisle. Guests were given wooden cones filled with feathers to toss at the bride and groom.”

“Guests were seated at long king tables arranged in a starburst pattern around the dance floor. The venue’s reclaimed pallet bar featured lush greenery and bird cages and all drinks were served in Mason jars. Water bottles and vintage sodas were served on ice in antique bath tubs for guests to help themselves. Reclaimed wood signs made by the bride of barn wood from the couple’s Tennessee ranch were placed around the reception area to direct guests, and antique letter P’s collected by the bride’s family were scattered about to celebrate the couples new last name, Petersen. The men enjoyed cigars, whiskey and moonshine at the cigar bar which was set up on an enormous boulder. Guests roasted marshmallows and made s’mores by the bonfire and served themselves from the three food trucks that showed up during cocktail hour. Having the guests inside the barn for cocktail hour allowed for an element of surprise when the barn doors were opened and the entire reception area was illuminated and the food trucks had arrived and we ready to serve. The cake table was an antique dresser that was sanded and refinished, as were the bride and groom’s chairs.”

“The sweetheart table was situated on the steps leading to the dance floor so the newlyweds had a view of their entire reception during dinner.”

“Cocktail hour was held in the barn with fresh Mexican street tacos made to order on a huge grill. Guests mingled under hundreds of Mexican flags hung from the rafters and took pictures in a pseudo-photo booth. The photo area was as 3-ply wooden structure made by the bride’s father, and a photographer was present to take professional images of the guests as they held up antique marquis letters and costume props. The idea was to allow large groups to fit into a single photograph, something that a traditional booth would not have allowed.”

We love the rsutic wood sign and the fact that guests danced all night to Peruvian music.