The spot

When we set out to find a locale to wed and properly party with our friends and family, there were just a few important factors. Well, one: Jean had to like it. So, in all reality, it could have been this and if Jean decided bread sticks were a wedding wave to ride, we'd all be in for a month-long bout of the runs. Thanks for coming!


As it were, we both wanted an outdoor wedding. We may live in San Francisco, but we also live in California. Incorporating the natural beauty and temperate weather (wood, knocked) were important factors, so long as tenacious fog was avoided.

Since I was a dorky little kid, I've had the sight of a gnarled oak tree standing proud on a barren, yellow hillside engrained in my psyche as an image of California and home. Fortunately, Jean's a fan of California's rugged beauty, too. It seemed a perfect backdrop and fitting environment for us. It also helped that a lot of these kinds of sights are situated along the central coast, between Jean's family in LA and mine in the north, and far away from controversy over lopsided travel times.

When we first came across Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse on a blog, Jean was immediately attached. Rustic and beautiful, it showed potential.

On a visit to the coast to see venues, it was our last stop. A long two lane highway turned to wide enough highway turned to cow grids big enough to double as people grids. Winding well, well back up into the hills, it was a certain "where in the hell are we" and "dear god, the beauty" cocktail.

The venue itself is literally a farmhouse, or a mishmash of them from original structures in the 18th century. Placed on a hilltop surrounded by much larger hilltops that form a state park, it definitely has the grandiose vibe happening.

Walking the open grounds it was quite easy to picture every one of our closest friends and family having a hell of a time together in this spot that seemed so removed from everything else.

Also, there's an ostrich farm on the premises.

This was of course a big step in the whole process, so it's exciting to be able to take that step. Not the ostriches - the venue.