Weddings
Bernardus Lodge | Carly & Justin
Carly and Justin are both designers, and you can feel it in every single corner of this day. This was an intimate wedding where nothing was an afterthought, every detail chosen with so much intention, and the whole thing came together at one of my very favorite places to shoot: Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley.
If you have not been to Bernardus, picture this. A luxury Carmel Valley resort tucked among eight acres of vineyards and five acres of lavender, with a wedding garden built around more than a hundred varieties of roses, geometric rose beds, bubbling fountains, and big majestic oaks framing the Santa Lucia Mountains beyond. There is a reason couples fall for this place. It is romantic and a little magical, and it gave Carly and Justin's design vision the most beautiful canvas to play on.
They poured their hearts into the palette, warm terracotta and peach against sage green and soft mustard, with florals that looked like they were painted on. Designers really do plan a wedding differently, and it was such a joy to photograph every layered, considered detail.
They said their vows in the rose garden under a stunning circular floral arch, the hedges and the mountains stretched out behind them. Intimate, surrounded by the people closest to them, exactly the way they wanted it.
And then there was their dog. Their pup was a huge part of the day, right there with them for portraits, because when an animal is this much a part of your family, of course they belong at the wedding. Those are some of my favorite frames from the whole day.
As the light went golden, we wandered out to the lavender and the lounge, and everything just glowed. Carly and Justin, thank you for trusting me with a day you designed so beautifully. Watching the two of you in your element at Bernardus was a dream.
The Dream Team
- Venue: Bernardus Lodge & Spa
- Planning & Design: Atlas Design Studio
- Photography: De Joy Photography
- Floral: Wilder Flowers
- Luxury Specialty Rentals: Lux Event Rentals
- Tabletop Rentals: Chic Event Rentals
- Attire: Epiphany Boutique
- Desserts: Tart + Tin
- Bar & Beverage: Pour Girl
- Beauty: Beauty By M
- Stationery: Bloomink Paper Co.
About the Author
Amber De Joy
Amber is a professional photographer with nearly a decade of experience with wedding and portrait photography. She uniquely captures the most precious moments of loving couples in spectacular locations with her fun-loving and passionate drive to make every moment timeless.
