Monserate Winery Wedding Inspired by Tuscany: Anays and Jose
Anays and Jose's Monserate Winery wedding started with a trip to Florence. They got engaged there, and they wanted the wedding to feel like that trip. So they found Monserate. It sits in Fallbrook, among olive trees and vineyard rows, a short drive from San Diego and about as close to Tuscany as California gets. I photographed their late-August celebration with that Italian influence woven through every part of the day.
Getting Ready at Monserate Winery
The morning started in two separate suites. They sit close together, so nobody spent the day walking back and forth, but they stay private enough that Anays and Jose each got a quiet start. I love the bridal suite here. It's roomy, with space to lay every detail out. Anays got ready with her women around her. She stepped into a lace corseted mermaid gown from Casablanca Bridal, then added a mantilla-style veil and a pair of drop earrings. The dress code was black tie. Her bridesmaids wore off-the-shoulder black, and Jose and his men wore clean tuxedos.
Portraits around Monserate Winery’s Tuscan Estate
Monserate Winery is one of the most distinctive wedding venues in Fallbrook for couples who want an elegant vineyard setting with a European feel. Between the waterfall ceremony site, olive trees, courtyard reception space, and sweeping estate views, it offers a lot of variety for portraits without needing to leave the property.
Monserate Winery Wedding Ceremony in Fallbrook
Anays's father walked her down the aisle. They said their vows on the lawn, in front of the waterfall. It's one of my favorite ceremony spots anywhere. Guests were met with champagne by the water. Their palette ran ivory, mauve, sage, and blush, and it settled right into the landscape. The florals from Peaches to Poppies were garden-style and a little wild. This is a setting that doesn't need much help. They let it breathe.
Courtyard Reception at Monserate Winery
Dinner and dancing happened in the courtyard as the light dropped. Some of my favorite frames from the day were the details they made themselves. Anays designed the table signs by hand. Jose built their seating chart from scratch. You can see the work in them, and that always photographs well.
Why I Love Photographing at Monserate Winery Weddings
I'll photograph at Monserate any chance I get. It looks good in any weather. Anays and Jose's day came with soft, overcast skies instead of full sun, and that diffused light is a gift. It pushed the vineyard greens deeper and kept everything even and romantic. The estate has a strong character of its own, but it still leaves you room to make the day yours. Anays and Jose did exactly that. They brought Tuscany to California and made it feel like it had always been there.
In Their Words
“I love them, thank you Nika! You were amazing through it all. I hoped for sun on our wedding day, but you made these photos look absolutely stunning anyway. I have no words for how well you handled everything. You were made for this. Thank you a million times.”
Planning your own Monserate Winery wedding in Fallbrook?
If you’re looking for a San Diego wedding photographer for a vineyard or estate celebration, get in touch here.
– Nika Libres
Monserate Winery Wedding Vendor Team
Photography: Libres Photo
Venue: Monserate Winery
Planning and Florals: Peaches to Poppies
Hair and Makeup: True to You
Bridal Gown: Casablanca Bridal
Tuxedo: The Perfect Fit by UOMOS
Her Ring: Liberty Diamonds
His Ring: Alxndr Jewelry