The Orchard in Watsonville, CA - A Burgundy Fall Wedding

Let me be the first to admit that I may have overdone it (just a little!) with the photos in this post. I just couldn’t choose…there are so many good ones! Especially the second set of portraits in the apple orchard – beautiful sunset lighting, beautiful apples, beautiful people. This fall wedding at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA is probably one of my favorites of the year. Can you get anything that says “autumn” better than a burgundy wedding, an October ceremony, in an apple orchard, with a barn reception? (The answer is no. Unless it involves pumpkins.) The Orchard is a relatively new venue, and I loved seeing all of the unique touches that made this barn wedding beautiful.

Ryan and Amanda met in high school. In fact, one of the groomsmen introduced them. And even besides the fact that these two were high school sweethearts finally getting married, the whole day was so sentimental. There were tears everywhere, all day, from everyone. Amanda cried during the first look, during the wedding vows, during the speeches…Ryan’s sister gave one of the sweetest speeches I’ve heard at a wedding, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me want to cry myself. 😉

Aside from the tears (which were definitely all happy), there were also many laughs. Amanda mentioned in her vows that she loves the way Ryan’s nose crinkles when he laughs, and it’s clear that being around Amanda makes him laugh a lot. Even with just the short amount of time I spent with them, I could tell that they truly make each other happy. Best wishes to the new bride and groom!

This wedding was second shot for Chris |N| Creative. Thanks, Chris, for inviting me along for another wedding!

Getting Ready

Groom buttoning up his vest and fixing cuff links at Best Western in Watsonville, CA

Groomsmen getting ready for a wedding at Best Western in Watsonville, CA. Groom's shoes and cuff links sitting on hardwood floor.

Groom fixing his tie at Best Western in Watsonville, CA. Groom portrait with full suit.

Groom portrait with full suit, sitting on a leather bench. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Groom portrait outside. Groom with best man and groomsman.

Groom portrait outside. Full body shot in color and upper body shot in black and white.

Groom with best man and groomsman. Standing around talking at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Groom with best man and groomsman. Standing around talking at The Orchard.

Groom portrait. Photo of the top of the barn with a metal heart decoration and stringed lights.

Details at The Orchard in Watsonville

Wedding reception setup at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Table with rose centerpiece, gold and white plates and navy napkins.

Wedding decorations setup at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Table with rose centerpiece. Ceremony aisle leading to the arch with hay bales under it.

Wedding reception setup. Table setup with gold and white plates and navy napkins. Mason jar thank you gift for the guests.

Wedding decorations setup at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. The barn set up with white floor length tablecloths and rose centerpieces. Ceremony aisle leading to the arch with hay bales under it.

Wedding decorations setup. Table with rose centerpiece. Ceremony aisle leading to the arch with hay bales under it.

Fall wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Pulled back photo of the ceremony space, paired with photo of apples on a tree surrounding the area.

Wedding reception at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Detail shot of the stringed lights on the ceiling in the barn, paired with photo of apples on a tree surrounding the area.

Wedding reception at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Detail shot of the stringed lights on the ceiling in the barn, paired with photo of bridal table elegant floral arrangement with red and white roses and baby's breath.

Wedding reception. Bridal table floral arrangement with red and white roses and baby's breath. Pulled back photo of the table setup with white tablecloths and rose centerpieces.

Scenery at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Barn, orchard views, and bride's gown hanging from the eave of the house.

Scenery at The Orchard. Barn and bride's gown hanging from the eave of the house.

Bride getting ready in Watsonville, CA. Bridesmaids buttoning up dress, looking over her shoulder in the mirror.

Bride's gown hanging from the eave of the house.

Bride and groom getting ready for wedding ceremony.

Black and white photo of bride getting ready, looking over her shoulder in the mirror.

First Look

Bride and groom first look at the barn at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Groom turns around to see the bride.

Bride and groom kiss during their first look.

Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing during their first look at the barn.

Bride and groom kiss during their first look at the barn at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Bride cries when groom sees her for the first time.

Ceremony – The Orchard in Watsonville

Wedding ceremony, groom walks grandma down the aisle.

Wedding ceremony, bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle.

Wedding ceremony, ring bearer and flower girls walk down the aisle.

Wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA, bride is walked down the aisle by her mother.

Wedding ceremony, mother cries as she walks her daughter down the aisle.

Wedding ceremony, bride is walked down the aisle by her mother.

Bride hugs groom at wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Apple trees in the background, and grandma officiates the ceremony.

Bride and groom hold hands at wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Apple trees in the background, and grandma officiates the ceremony.

Bride and groom kiss under their arch at wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom kiss under their arch at wedding ceremony at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Bride celebrates being married.

Bride and groom walk towards the barn during golden hour.

Portraits

Bride and groom in the apple orchard during golden hour at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Bride and groom in the apple orchard during golden hour at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Groom dips bride during their kiss.

Bride and groom in the apple orchard during golden hour at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Bride smiles at camera while groom gazes down at her. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Reception at The Orchard in Watsonville

Bride and groom grand entrance to the barn at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom grand entrance to the barn at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Room full of family and friends.

Cake display is setup in the corner of the barn. Bride and groom kiss at their sweetheart table.

Wedding decorations at the barn at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom smile sitting at the sweetheart table. Room full of family and friends at the reception.

Bride's mother gives speech during wedding reception, bride cries as she listens.

Groom's mother gives speech during wedding reception, bride and groom clap and laugh.

Best man gives speech during wedding reception, raises glass to toast.

Bridesmaid gives speech during wedding reception, raises glass to toast. Bride and groom thank their guests.

Bride and groom thank their guests and raise glasses to toast.

MORE Portraits!

Bride and groom smile under their wedding arch in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom under their wedding arch in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom under their wedding arch in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Fall colors in the background, apple trees everywhere.

Bride and groom kiss and walk through the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom kiss in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Bride and groom kiss in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom hug and smile in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Black and white photo of bride and groom kissing and walking in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom kissing in apple orchard

Bride and groom kissing in the apple orchard at their fall wedding at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom walking and laughing in the apple orchard at their fall wedding at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA. Shot by Amber Rivas Photography.

Bride and groom in the apple orchard at their fall wedding at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Groom dips bride during kiss in the apple orchard at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Bride and groom surrounded by apple trees in Watsonville, CA at The Orchard.

Bride and groom sit in porch swing in Watsonville, CA at The Orchard.

Bride and groom kiss behind the barn in Watsonville, CA at The Orchard.

Bride and groom kiss on porch swing in Watsonville, CA at The Orchard.

Bride and groom show off new rings at The Orchard.

Bride and groom during fall wedding at The Orchard.

First Dances

Bride and groom have their first dance during fall wedding at The Orchard. Barn has stringed lighting.

Party dancing at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA.

Your Wedding in the Orchard

Are you looking to get married at a fall wedding at The Orchard in Watsonville, CA? (Or even a spring or summer wedding!) I would LOVE to come and take your photos! Contact me for more info on my wedding day services and how we can get you booked.

Mandy says:

October 14, 2019 at 9:13 pm

I love that foreground in the orchards Amber! These are so beautiful, I have to agree with you that there’s nothing quite like a fall wedding!!! 😉 Great work

Sarah says:

October 16, 2019 at 4:31 pm

Amber seriously you do the most stunning work! I love this location and colors! Everything about these… the groom pics, the gorgeous bride, her dress, love them all!

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