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holman ranch wedding

carmel, ca

pavithra & tej

holman ranch wedding

Pavithra & Tej hosted over 300 of their nearest and dearest for their Holman Ranch wedding in Carmel Valley, CA. This gorgeous Northern California wedding venue sits atop rolling hills with views that are reminiscent of Tuscany! The couple's wedding, planned by Amrit of Anais Event, boasted a bold color palette with equal parts colorful and bright for the morning ceremony blended perfectly with a bit of pastels for the al-fresco evening reception. The couple wanted to have a more intimate wedding - 250 -300 guests (very intimate for an Indian wedding) and wanted the event to reflect their understated sensibilities while retaining the colorful traditions of their culture - the food, the music, the dancing (bollywood!) and the clothes.

Most Hindu wedding ceremonies start based on a Pandit's auspicious date and time, so Pavithra and Tej's ceremony was set to begin at 11:18am and go until 12:30pm. Before the ceremony, Pavithra & Tej did a first look as well as bridal party and some family photos, leaving them plenty of time to hang out with their guests during lunch.

The Baraat started the wedding procession and Tej went with a gorgeous Aston Martin to escort him to the ceremony site where Pavithra's family was waiting to greet him. The ceremony, auspiciously, started right on time.

For the reception, Pavithra changed into a custom, soft pink Anamika Khanna sari embroidered with the most gorgeous designs. The light was absolutely perfect for their afternoon portrait session before their cocktail hour began. We headed to the iconic oak tree on the property and I got very excited about the pockets of luminous light that surrounded these two. I love creating movement in my images and Pavithra's sari was perfect for showing that while capturing the light.

Guests enjoyed signature drinks and appetizers during cocktail hour on the lawn before moving to the al-fresco reception space. The couple opted for a more Western aesthetic for their reception instead of a traditional finery. A string trio provided the soundtrack for the evening.

take me to the HOLMAN RANCH wedding gallery

New York City has been the backdrop for the better part of our relationship, but when it came to our wedding, we knew we wanted a different kind of skyline. We both pictured an open-air wedding, preferably in the vicinity of a vineyard. We were immediately taken in by the views and foliage of Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, less than two hours from Pavithra's hometown. We especially loved the idea of dining al fresco for our reception. -P+T

hOSTING A WEDDING AT holman ranch

Hosting a Holman Ranch wedding will have set the tone for a day of romance & history. Once the private home of Charlie Chaplin, this estate has been hosting parties since before the 1930s. Thoughts of Great Gatsby-esque soirees and Jazz by Ella Fitzgerald come to mind. The property is rustic yet sophisticated, secluded and amazing. This stone hacienda, the focal point of this estate, offers the charm of its native gardens, the breathtaking vistas from every angle, the wonder of its olive groves and vineyards as well as the serenity and privacy of the historic estate itself. A world away yet close enough to everything, Holman Ranch offers unlimited possibilities for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and any other special occasion. Holman Ranch is a place for togetherness, celebration, good friends, and family. On property, you can host up to 500 guests seated/buffet and up to 1000 for standing room. The afternoon light is dazzling, especially out by the oaks.