I’ve read, been told, and personally experienced that finding the perfect wedding venue is the hardest task to tackle.  And through this hunt, we’ve learned that after finalizing the location, visions and wedding plans easily follow.  Initially, Bryan and I envisioned a ritzy ballroom/restaurant type setting overlooking some kind of view, whether city or natural landscape.  And then one day we entered a magical place called The Hacienda.

The Hacienda
Santa Ana, California

Romantic.  Lush.  Whimsical.–  Tucked away in old Santa Ana, behind a supermarket, some small random businesses, and a sketchy parking lot, the Hacienda opens up to a garden filled with vibrant florals, ivy-entwined balconies, and romantic twinkling lights.  Walking into the Hacienda almost felt like entering an entirely different place and time.  (And by the way, the parking lot has security!)

Originally an orange and avocado ranch built in the 1900s, the Hacienda has kept its historical Spanish style decor, from beautifully stained glass panels to a juxtaposition of antique Southwestern style and vintage French doors.  I was completely enamored.  But Bryan, the die hard modern-minimalist-slash-anti-rustic, was a little skeptical about the venue at first.  It took a little convincing, several refills of champagne, and a reminder of all of the suffocating ballrooms we previously visited to realize that we both wanted something less traditional and more open and natural.

At the end of our informative tour and mimosa-filled brunch, Bryan and I both fell in love with the Hacienda’s charming ambiance, generous service, and the hidden gem factor of it all.

{ Beamish Photography }

She loves vintage. He loves modern. Why not mix the best of both worlds? After all, that’s what a marriage is all about, right? So that’s exactly what we now have envisioned. Rustic Elegance. Destination: Beautiful

xo,

k.spanish