Wedding at Sunstone Winery: An Unforgettable Experience

If you’ve ever daydreamed about getting married in the French countryside—hedgerows, climbing roses, soft pastels, and that “everything feels romantic without trying too hard” kind of beauty—this inspiration is going to make your heart do a little flip.

Imagine having your wedding at Sunstone Winery, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of loved ones.

Because this editorial does something I love: it brings the feeling of the Cotswolds (that charming, storybook, garden-at-its-peak energy) and drops it right into California wine country. And honestly? It works so well.

This shoot took place at Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara.  If you know me, you know I’m always paying attention to locations that have that “destination” feel—where you arrive and immediately feel transported. Sunstone has that. It’s sun-drenched and warm, with that honey-colored stone that gives everything a European vibe without leaving the West Coast.

The whole concept behind this editorial was built around one simple idea: flowers can take you somewhere. Wedding Sparrow even says it perfectly—flowers truly can conjure feelings of a different time and place—and that’s exactly what happens here.

Floral Design

The floral design, created by Solstice Bloom (https://www.solsticebloom.co/), is what makes the entire vision feel like an early-summer Cotswold garden. Think candy-colored delphiniums, roses, hydrangeas, and other English garden favorites, all layered together in the softest palette: lavender, peach, blue, ivory, and blush pink.  It’s feminine and romantic and a little bit whimsical, but still elevated—like the kind of wedding where everything feels curated, but nothing feels stiff.

The Colors

And can we talk about how that color story plays against the venue? Those pastel blooms look so dreamy against Sunstone’s warm stone tones. This is one of my favorite design tricks for couples who want their wedding to feel editorial but still inviting: let your environment be your “neutral,” then layer in color through florals, linens, and small styling details. You don’t have to go bold to make an impact. Sometimes soft is the loudest statement.

When planning a wedding at Sunstone Winery, choosing the right color palette can enhance the overall aesth

etic. The colors of the venue lend to being able to do delicate, soft tones or bright and bold colors.

Bridal Look

The bride’s look fits the garden romance perfectly. She’s wearing a Claire Pettibone gown with floral appliqué overlay and flirty capped tulle sleeves—so it feels delicate, botanical, and a little bit ethereal.  And the styling keeps that same thread going with botanical-inspired jewelry from Elizabeth Bower (linked through Horizon Bridal here: https://www.horizonbridal.com) and gold-and-ivory brocade shoes from Something Bleu.

The bride’s look for her wedding at Sunstone Winery is all about capturing the essence of garden romance. I think she pulled it off great, don’t you?

The Table Design

One of my favorite details in this editorial is the reception table styling, because it feels like a modern take on “country garden” rather than the expected version. There’s a dusky cornflower blue tablecloth, ticking stripe napkins, and overflowing floral compotes that look like they were gathered from the loveliest cutting garden. It’s the kind of table you want to sit at for hours—slow dinner, good wine, belly laughter, and the sun setting in the background.

Each detail of the reception table styling contributes to the ambiance of a wedding at Sunstone Winery.

And then… the chandeliers.

There are beaded chandeliers suspended from the trees overhead, and that detail is such a quiet flex. It instantly elevates an outdoor reception and gives you that feeling of “this isn’t just pretty, this is an experience.” If you’re planning a garden wedding (in Utah, Seattle, California, or anywhere), overhead elements like this are one of my go-to recommendations when couples ask how to make their design feel more immersive. Florals overhead, string lighting, chandeliers, draping—anything that draws the eye up makes a space feel finished and intentional.

Adding chandeliers can transform your wedding at Sunstone Winery into a magical evening under the stars.

What I love most about this entire shoot is that it’s proof you don’t have to get married in France to create a French-inspired wedding. You can bring that same feeling—romantic garden florals, soft layered color, thoughtful textures—into a California vineyard setting and it can still feel authentic and timeless.

Your vision for a wedding at Sunstone Winery can be brought to life through thoughtful planning.

Plan Your Wedding Inspiration

Planning a wedding at Sunstone Winery? Consider these tips to achieve that dreamy aesthetic:

-Choose a soft palette with one slightly moodier anchor color, like cornflower blue or dusty slate.
-Prioritize garden-inspired florals with movement (delphiniums are such a Cotswolds signature).
-Mix delicate patterns in your linens (ticking stripe is classic and always photographs beautifully).
-Add one statement “experience” detail like chandeliers in the trees, a floral moment, or a styled bar.
-Let your venue be your grounding neutral and build your color story on top of it.

And if you’re dreaming about planning something like this—whether it’s a destination wedding in California wine country, a romantic garden wedding in Utah, or a European-inspired celebration in the Pacific Northwest—I’d love to be part of it. This is exactly the kind of design-forward, emotion-rich work I live for, and I’m always happy to help couples think through what photographs beautifully and feels like them.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding at Sunstone Winery, let’s create a celebration that feels uniquely yours.

Vendor team

Venue: Sunstone Winery https://sunstonewinery.com
Planning + Design: Britt Jones Co https://brittjonesco.com
Florals: Solstice Bloom https://www.solsticebloom.co/
Rentals: Party Pleasers https://www.partypleasers.com
Stationery: Kate Wiseman Creative
Linens: Nuage Designs https://nuagedesigns.com
Cake: Delaney’s Desserts (Wedding Sparrow)
Car: Redempta Rentals https://www.redemptarentals.com
Dress: Claire Pettibone https://clairepettibone.com
Beauty: Veiled Vanity Artistry https://veiledvanityartistry.com
Jewelry: Elizabeth Bower (via Horizon Bridal) https://www.horizonbridal.com
Shoes: Something Bleu https://www.instagram.com/somethingbleu_
Models: Bella Bethoney https://www.bellabethoney.com and Connor Mead https://www.instagram.com/connormeadd

For couples looking to tie the knot, a wedding at Sunstone Winery offers endless possibilities.

This editorial showcases the beauty and charm of a wedding at Sunstone Winery, inspiring couples everywhere.