Gerry Ranch Wedding in Santa Rosa Valley, California | Cinthia + Dustin

Cinthia + Dustin’s Burgundy and Plum Wedding at Gerry Ranch (Santa Rosa Valley) | Sacred Heart Church in Ventura (September 29, 2018)

Some wedding days just feel easy in the best way. The people are present, the energy is warm, and the light shows up like it understood the assignment. Cinthia and Dustin’s wedding on September 29th, 2018 was exactly that.

Their color palette was rich and romantic (burgundy and plum), the details were intentional, and the day flowed from a heartfelt church ceremony in Ventura to golden-hour portraits and a sparkler exit at Gerry Ranch in Santa Rosa Valley.

Getting ready with Cinthia and her bridesmaids

Cinthia got ready at her family’s home with six bridesmaids, and the morning had the perfect mix of excitement and calm. I photographed the girls getting ready, the final touches, and the candid moments that happen when everyone is together in one place before the day takes off.

The details were beautiful. Cinthia’s bouquet had deep burgundy florals that photographed incredibly well, and she also had a ring box that tied everything together for clean, timeless detail photos.

After she got into her dress, we stepped outside for portraits on the front lawn with tall hedges behind her. It was simple, elegant, and it let Cinthia be the focus. We also photographed the full bridesmaid group on the lawn before heading out.

A meaningful blessing before the ceremony

Cinthia and Dustin are very faith-centered, and one of the most powerful moments of the day happened before the ceremony. Cinthia’s mother and grandmother blessed her in front of a cross image, and the emotion in that moment was unmistakable. It was quiet, personal, and exactly the kind of memory that matters more as the years pass.

Groom getting ready and church-day anticipation

Dustin got ready at his family’s home, and I captured groom details, the guys hanging out, and those last-minute finishing touches before the ceremony. Outside the church, the groomsmen were relaxed and excited, and I photographed the best man helping Dustin with his boutonniere and tie, along with some clean, classic portraits of Dustin before he walked in.

Ceremony at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura, CA

From the moment the wedding party started entering, it was clear how joyful these two were. I captured ceremony details, the flower girl and ring bearer, and the emotional beats throughout the ceremony.

Some of my favorite frames are the in-between ones: Cinthia and Dustin laughing, looking at each other during the vows, and the quiet moment of kneeling together. I also photographed close-ups of the ring exchange, their first kiss, and then a second kiss at the end of the aisle before they walked out together.

Right after the ceremony, they stepped into a classic car, which was such a fun transition from church to celebration.

Wedding portraits at Gerry Ranch in Santa Rosa Valley

Gerry Ranch is one of those venues that gives you so much variety without needing to go far. Open skies, mountain views, farmland textures, and pockets of greenery that photograph beautifully.

The afternoon light was incredible: clear skies, warm tones, and that clean golden look that makes portraits feel timeless. We photographed:

• family formals

• bridesmaids-only and groomsmen-only photos

• full wedding party portraits

• romantic bride and groom portraits around the property

We also used the studio area on site for a more intimate set of portraits, including touching noses, forehead kisses, and a mountainscape backdrop that gave the images a clean, editorial feel.

One of my favorite portrait setups from the day happened in a grove area where the greenery created a seamless foreground, covering them from the hips down. It framed their faces and connection perfectly and gave the photos a polished, layered look without feeling posed.

The golden-hour hero shot (dust + silhouette on the farmland path)

This was the moment.

Gerry Ranch has a dirt pathway down in the farmland area (you take a golf cart to get there), and it lights up at sunset. For Cinthia and Dustin’s hero shot, I had one of my assistants kick up dust behind them as they kissed.

The sun was low, the sky turned a gorgeous yellow, and the trees became silhouettes. The dust caught the light and added motion and texture, making the whole frame feel cinematic. In editing, I leaned into the warmth and brought down the brightness in the yellows so the sky stayed rich and golden instead of washed out.

Reception highlights and the energy of the night

The reception kept the same joyful energy all day long. I photographed:

• grand entrance

• first dance

• toasts from Megan (maid of honor) and the best man

• family dances (including a grandmother-granddaughter dance and a mother-son dance)

• cake cutting (including Cinthia getting cake on Dustin’s face)

• bouquet toss

• garter moment (Dustin laughing and joking as he spun it around)

Sparkler exit and classic car send-off

To close out the night, Cinthia and Dustin had a sparkler exit that was pure joy. They ran through the tunnel laughing, completely in the moment. I photographed a mix of color and black-and-white versions, and one of my favorite images from the entire gallery is the black-and-white kiss captured through the passenger window of the classic car as they sat in the back seat.

The final image of the gallery is the back of the classic car driving away into the night, the perfect closing scene to their story.

Wedding vendors
Ceremony: Sacred Heart Church (Ventura, CA)
Reception Venue: Gerry Ranch (Santa Rosa Valley, CA)
Florals: Maciel's Flowers

Planning a Gerry Ranch wedding in Santa Rosa Valley?

If you’re getting married at Gerry Ranch (or planning a Ventura County wedding day with a church ceremony and a ranch-style reception), I’d love to help you document it in a way that feels timeless, emotional, and elevated.

Reach out through my Amori Weddings contact page to check availability and wedding collections.