Courtney and Brian met on Brian’s birthday! Brian was out with a friend and Courtney was out with another friend and it just so happens that Brian and Courtney’s friend knew each other from high school… they met, and once Brian found out Courtney was a dentist he wouldn’t stop talking about flossing… a few months later they went out and the rest is history. Brian and Courtney enjoy anything active – bike riding, traveling, exploring, being in the outdoors, workout out, trying new restaurants in Dallas and entertaining friends. They picked Rancho Valencia to host their big day because they wanted something small, intimate. They drove 700 miles last October with Courtney’s parents looking at venues all over southern California. Someone recommended Rancho Valencia -so they drove down, looked at it for 15 mins, Courtney fell in LOVE with the rose garden – She teared up when she saw the two big palm trees and intimate enclosed setting, and that was that. They day was magical! Rancho Valencia was the perfect fit!

Venue: Rancho Valencia Resort

Coordinator: Wynn Austin Events

Band: Encore Event Entertainment

Cake & Donuts: VG Donut and Bakery

Officiant: Don Toshach

Florist: Blue Bell Florals

Make-up & Hair: A Toast to Beauty

Photography: ABM Photography

Mantzel

We thoroughly loved working at Rancho Valencia. Here’s what someone else thought:

“We were invited to a wedding in this hidden paradise. What I didn’t know was this resort is part of the Relais and Chateaux family. My husband and I stayed in one of the family of resorts in La Tahaa in French Polynesia and we will be staying on another resort in Maui with the same brand name, so we knew this resort was top notch. Certainly did not disappoint. The location is hidden and secluded in the hill of Rancho Santa Fe. We were welcomed at the gate and was told to follow the road to the valet station.

The grounds were beautiful and the wedding ceremony was on one side of the resort. It would have been nice if umbrellas were provided because it was warm and sunny on one side of the party. Luckily, the ceremony didn’t last very long and we then headed to the cocktail hour.

Cocktail hour was outdoors on lawn, open bar ALL NIGHT, and the grounds were decorated. I’m not sure if the resort provided the furniture, etc, but complimented the ambiance well. The try passed appys were AMAZING. There was duck, ahi, meat kabobs, risotto balls, and mini beef wellington. So many appetizers and everything tasted good.

The reception was over the top, elegant, and very sophisticated. The decor was beautiful and reminded me of a really fancy cirque show! The attention to detail was on par and matched the wedding so perfectly. The dinner was a 4 course meal – crab cake, burrata and tomato salad, flat iron steak and assorted desserts. The food was delicious, and the service by the staff was amazing and very timely.

The night became cool and our table was by the entrance with the curtains drawn so it was a bit chilly. We weren’t able to have warmers since we were by the service entrance and people were coming and going.

Nonetheless, having a wedding here is certainly fancy and elegant. There were over 200+ guests at this wedding/ reception so there may be a guest minimum or dollar amount to book your wedding here. I would love to come back to dine here for dinner!”