A California Dream: Sophia & Aaren’s Wedding at Monserate Winery

There are some weddings that imprint on you so deeply, you feel like you’ll carry them with you forever. Sophia and Aaren’s day at Monserate Winery in Fallbrook, California was exactly that kind of experience—one that I’ll never forget, and one I may never quite live beyond.

As a full-time destination wedding photographer, I have the immense privilege of traveling to breathtaking places and documenting stories that are both deeply personal and visually extraordinary. But this day... this day was one in a million.

The Vendors

Venue:@monseratewinery | @monserateweddings

Photography: @capturedbycase_mn (me!)

Planning & coordination: @crowned.events

Florist: @lovelypeoniesflorals

DJ & Photo Booth: @secondsong_official

Videography: @amariproductions

Bridal MUA: @devynne_mua

Bridesmaids MUA: @lindseymarie_mua

Hair: @lilyhdunnhair

Bridal shop: @nwlabridal

Designer: @lihihod

Tux: @zegliosd

Cake & Desert: @lemonbar.bakery

Rentals: @adorefolklore

Alterations: @primoalterationsdrycleaning

Transportation: @ridemagicshuttle

Mediterranean stone villa with arched entryway surrounded by cypress trees and flowering gardens against blue sky.
A couple shares their first kiss during an elegant outdoor garden wedding ceremony surrounded by white floral arrangements.
A couple stands at the edge of a scenic vineyard with rolling hills and oak trees in the California countryside.

From Minnesota to the Mountains of Southern California

Sophia and Aaren are college sweethearts, having met at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Their story began over snowy midwestern winters, but life’s path led them west when Aaren accepted a new opportunity with his sales company in San Diego. California quickly became their new home—a place of new beginnings, golden light, and a slower kind of magic.

So when Aaren proposed, it only felt right to bring their closest friends and family to this new chapter of life—to host a wedding weekend that celebrated not just their love story, but also the place where their future was unfolding. Memorial Day Weekend became the perfect canvas for their destination celebration: sun-drenched, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

The Venue: Monserate Winery

Set among rolling hills and surrounded by vines, Monserate Winery offered the kind of organic beauty that doesn’t need to try too hard. With a serene lakefront ceremony space, sweeping vineyard views, and an open-air courtyard framed by olive trees, every corner of the property felt curated by nature herself.

The ceremony took place lakeside, with their guests looking on as Sophia and Aaren exchanged vows under a California sun. The reception unfolded in the courtyard, where candlelight and soft florals met laughter, wine, and the soft strumming of music floating in the air.

Mediterranean style villa with tall cypress trees and grapevines growing along a curved pathway under blue sky.
Black-framed French doors with glass panels open to a sunny outdoor patio area with dining tables and chairs.
A close-up shot of newlywed hands showing wedding rings, with the bride in white and groom in dark formal attire.
A tall window framed by stone features white roses and green cypress trees growing alongside a rustic exterior wall.
Two figures stand near a window as one wears an elegant white wedding gown with a flowing lace train.
A black and white close-up shot of formal attire showing a black vest, white dress shirt, and hands adjusting cuff links.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception tables with white linens and cream-colored chairs set beneath a rustic olive tree.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with white tables and gold chairs under a large olive tree beside a Mediterranean villa.
A makeup artist applies cosmetics to a bride in a white dress holding a makeup palette while getting ready.
A group wearing matching blue and white floral robes gathers at an entrance door for a special occasion.
A woman in a flowing white dress sits elegantly on a light gray chaise lounge near a large window with natural light.
A formal black and white wedding party of groomsmen in tuxedos standing in a line outside a Mediterranean-style building.
Close-up view of a flowing white tulle wedding dress with white pointed heels visible beneath the layers of fabric.
A couple shares a candid laughing moment together, with one wearing a tuxedo and the other in a red floral dress.
Mediterranean style stone archway entrance with wrought iron balcony and climbing vines on a white stucco exterior.

A Gown That Felt Like Art

Sophia wore the Bloom gown by Lihi Hod, a piece that was as sculptural as it was romantic. The structured bodice framed her effortlessly, while the skirt—adorned with soft, layered petals—moved like a dream. It was a gown made for motion, for quiet beauty, for film.

Her makeup was done by Devynne, a celebrity artist who delivered a look that was radiant and timeless, enhancing every detail of Sophia’s natural beauty. The result? A bride that looked like she stepped out of an editorial, but felt every bit herself.

Elevated, Personal, and Designed with Intention

Aaren wore a custom tuxedo by Zeglio—a San Diego-based menswear designer. Subtle embroidery inside the sleeves detailed both of their initials and their wedding date, a touch that made the look feel deeply personal and elevated.

Every choice this couple made was with intention. The florals by Lauren of Lovely Peonies featured soft whites, romantic peonies, and creamy roses that tied effortlessly into the surrounding vineyard landscape. A palette of soft yellows and lush greens brought warmth and texture without overwhelming the setting.

The tables were lined with minimalist floral arrangements, neutral linens, and delicate candlelight—refined yet inviting, just like Sophia and Aaren themselves.


Row of bridesmaids in elegant white dresses holding beautiful white peony bouquets at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Elegant doorway entrance to a venue with open French doors, hardwood floors and a chandelier visible inside.
Elegant wedding table setting with white linens, wine glasses, silverware, and place cards arranged in formal dining style.
Close-up view of bride and groom's hands showing wedding rings and elegant watch against black tuxedo.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with white tablecloths and bentwood chairs under string lights at a Mediterranean villa.
Group wearing matching blue and white patterned robes smiling together at outdoor wedding celebration.
Elegant white floral centerpiece with hydrangeas and delphinium on a crisp white tablecloth at a formal dining setting.

The Way It Felt

When I think back on this day, I don’t just remember how it looked—I remember how it felt. The way Sophia held her breath just before the first look. The sun filtering through the trees as guests raised their glasses. The movement in her gown as they walked hand in hand through the vines.

This wedding was a masterclass in timeless celebration. Not for show, but for soul. It was effortless, rich in meaning, and incredibly stylish without ever being trendy. The kind of day I feel so honored to have documented with my lens and my heart.

The Signature

My role as a destination wedding photographer is about more than just documenting—it’s about feeling. It’s about crafting imagery that feels honest, luminous, and deeply personal. With a storytelling-first approach and true-to-life editing, I aim to create galleries that you’ll return to for decades—because they reflect not just how your wedding looked, but how it truly was.


And Sophia and Aaren’s day? It was everything. A love letter to California, to legacy, and to the kind of love that moves you.

Bridal party dressed in white gowns walk along garden path holding white floral bouquets on a sunny day.
Newlyweds walking together on garden path, bride in flowing white gown and groom in classic tuxedo.
Wedding party celebrates with raised bouquets and cheers on stone steps of a Spanish-style building.
Wedding couple walking down aisle while guests toss flower petals during outdoor garden ceremony.
Elegant white wedding bouquets held against flowing white wedding dresses in bright sunlight.
Wedding couple walking along garden path surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.
A black and white wedding photo captured on a grassy field with rolling hills in the background.
A couple walks along a scenic pathway overlooking rows of grapevines and rolling hills at a California vineyard.
A bride in a white strapless gown and groom in black tuxedo stand on opposite sides of elegant wooden double doors.
A couple in wedding attire pose in front of an arched stone doorway with climbing vines at an elegant venue.
Bride in strapless white ruffled wedding gown holds elegant bouquet of white roses against dark background.
A wedding reception at an elegant outdoor venue with ivy-covered walls and a formal table setting.
Artistic wedding ceremony view through window panes showing couple and guests gathered at an outdoor venue.
Wedding guests enjoying dinner and drinks at a rustic stone-walled venue with elegant black and white formal attire.
An aerial view of a wedding couple standing on a manicured lawn surrounded by landscaped gardens.