Photographers: Massimo and Ryan
Venue: Hotel Du Village

We were delighted to return to Hotel Du Village on October 26, 2024, to capture Danielle and Stephen’s enchanting fall wedding. There’s something truly special about October and November ceremonies—the way maples and oaks set the rolling fields ablaze with crimson, amber, and gold; the crisp California breeze mingling with the fading warmth of summer afternoons; and the gentle pivot from a bustling season into the calm of year’s end. After eight months of back-to-back celebrations, our team savors these autumn weddings, when there’s time to linger over soft light and rich foliage, to explore every corner of the venue, and to relish the final moments of the year’s wedding season.

Hotel Du Village feels as though it were made for fall. Its stone barn façade and reclaimed-wood accents echo the rustic farmhouse aesthetic, while a broad field behind the main house transforms into a painter’s palette each October. As Danielle and Stephen smiled their way through the day, their easygoing laughter and heartfelt embraces blended perfectly with the season’s beauty. Together, we created a gallery of moments that capture their warmth, the venue’s charm, and the peaceful energy that only a New Hope fall can deliver.

Getting Ready

At 1:00 pm, Massimo arrived at the upstairs bridal suite, greeted by the soft glow of lanterns and afternoon sun filtering through gauzy curtains. Hotel Du Village’s bridal suite combines vintage elegance—plush velvet chairs, an antique gold mirror—and modern comfort, making it the perfect backdrop for detail shots. We began by staging the invitations, rings, and bouquet—burnt orange dahlias, burgundy roses, and ivory lisianthus—on a weathered wooden table, then captured a synchronized shot of the suite’s vintage clock to ensure all cameras stayed in time.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the gentlemen’s suite, Ryan photographed Stephen and his groomsmen in black suits accented by autumn-toned ties. We focused on “finishing touches” shots: Stephen fastening his cufflinks, adjusting his tie in the mirror, and sharing lighthearted banter with his best men as they pinned boutonnieres. Upstairs, Danielle’s hair and makeup team put final touches on her loose waves and glowing complexion. At 1:30 pm, she shared a tender first moment with her mother—her mother’s gentle adjustment of a pearl earring perfectly mirrored the season’s intimate warmth.

By 1:45 pm, hair and makeup were complete, and we captured the reveal of Danielle’s dress—delicate lace sleeves and a sweeping tulle skirt—hanging against a barn-wood wall. We moved quickly to photograph bridesmaids helping zip the gown and smoothing the train on the suite’s marble floor. Our goal is always to blend editorial portraits with candid snapshots, so we paused between posed images for genuine interactions: a bridesmaid’s quiet compliment, a shared laugh as a veil slipped, and the soft rustle of autumn leaves outside the window.

Ceremony

After a brief break for family to finish arriving, we slipped away around 4:00 pm to prepare for the outdoor ceremony. The patio at Hotel Du Village is one of our favorite ceremony sites. Set against a backdrop of rolling fields and framed by a simple wooden pergola draped in eucalyptus and fall foliage, the space exudes effortless elegance. From 4:00 to 4:30 pm, we captured close-ups of ceremony details—the calligraphed programs, lanterns lined with moss, and delicate floral garlands—while ensuring the pergola’s beams echoed the rustic charm of the venue.

Guests took their seats on wooden benches as cool air drifted by. Danielle appeared at the top of the gravel path, her bouquet echoing the landscape’s color palette. We recorded her walk down the aisle in both wide shots—highlighting the field beyond—and tight frames that captured tears in loved ones’ eyes. As Stephen watched his bride approach, the soft glow of autumn light illuminated their expressions. The ceremony unfolded beneath gently swaying branches, their vows punctuated by the rustling of leaves. When they sealed their promises with a kiss, a hush fell over the guests, and we captured the moment in a single, luminous frame that will forever reflect the magic of that afternoon.

Portraits and Venue Details

Immediately following the ceremony, at 5:00 pm, we guided Danielle and Stephen into the nearby garden for a private first-look portrait session. The garden’s stone paths wound between low hedges and autumn-tinted hydrangeas, offering intimate alcoves for quiet moments. We began with editorial wide-angle images—steam rising from the groom’s breath in the cool air, the bride’s veil drifting in a gentle breeze—and transitioned to candid snapshots of whispered jokes and soft embraces.

From 2:45 to 3:15 pm earlier in the day, we had captured the bridal party in the open field behind the venue. With a dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen, we organized a mix of group and individual shots: the full party lined up against the hedge, smaller clusters of friends sharing laughter, and each maid of honor beside the bride for a solo portrait. By working with a close family friend who checked off our shot list—bride with her parents, bride with her grandmother, bridal party in stairwell, and so on—we ensured no combination was missed.

Next, from 3:15 to 3:50 pm, we moved into immediate family portraits in the same field. The golden light of late afternoon enhanced three generations of smiles: grandparents seated on a vintage loveseat, parents flanking the couple on either side, and siblings gathering for playful poses. Our photojournalistic approach allowed us to capture unscripted interactions—an aunt brushing a stray hair away, children chasing fallen leaves—so that each frame felt alive and personal.

As sunset approached at 6:00 pm, the field’s long grasses shimmered in hues of copper and bronze. We paused group shots to return for final golden-hour portraits: a silhouette of the couple against the glowing sky and a close-up of hands linked, rings glinting in the fading sun. The venue’s rustic barns, with sliding doors and exposed beams, stood stoic behind them, proof that the property was made for this season.

Cocktail Hour and Reception

Cocktail hour began at 5:00 pm in the courtyard, where guests sipped spiced apple cider cocktails and sampled farm-to-table hors d’oeuvres under string lights. Massimo focused on the candid energy—friends reuniting, children darting between tables—while Ryan used on-camera flash for dramatic, editorial “paparazzi” moments: a surprised hug, a burst of laughter, a playful toast.

At 5:30 pm, we led the newlyweds into the reception room for a few preview portraits. The vaulted barn interior, with its reclaimed-wood walls and glinting chandeliers, provided an immediate sense of grandeur. We captured Danielle and Stephen standing beneath the head table’s arch of seasonal blooms, then moved to the balcony overlook for a sweeping aerial perspective of the banquet tables below.

By 6:00 pm, reception officially commenced. Without formal table photos on the itinerary, our photographers circled the room, offering informal portraits as guests enjoyed dinner. We documented lively conversations, heartfelt toasts, and the gentle glow of candlelight reflecting off copper chargers and amber glassware. During the dinner course, we intentionally stepped back from any speeches at the couple’s request, allowing the celebration to breathe.

At 8:30 pm, the cake-cutting signaled a moment of pure delight. The three-tier naked cake, adorned with seasonal berries and sprigs of rosemary, perfectly complemented the venue’s rustic elegance. We captured the couple feeding each other their first slice, frosting on their noses and genuine laughter in their eyes.

Our team wrapped up at 9:00 pm, having preserved every dance step, every tear of joy, and every candid glance. Though the reception continued until 10:00 pm, we left knowing we had documented the essence of Danielle and Stephen’s celebration.

Fall weddings at Hotel Du Village are a celebration of nature, love, and the quiet magic that comes when a wedding season winds to its close. The fiery foliage, the gentle pace, and the venue’s rustic charm create a canvas that inspires both editorial portraits and photojournalistic storytelling. Spending eight hours with Danielle and Stephen—watching their smiles, capturing their vows, and photographing their first dance beneath the chandeliers—reinforced why autumn is our favorite season to shoot.

If you’re planning a fall wedding and seeking a team that understands how to blend heartfelt moments with artful imagery, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Emma Cleary Photo and Video to learn how we can capture your own season of change, celebration, and breathtaking color.

For tips on making sure all your guests are photographed, check out our article here.

Additionally, the elegant indoor spaces at Hotel Du Village added variety to the photo collection. Every detail, from intimate moments to lively group shots, was beautifully captured.

In conclusion, Danielle and Stephen’s Hotel Du Village Wedding was a day full of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. We were honored to tell their story through timeless images at such a stunning venue.