Jacqueline & Gustavo · Wedding at C’est la Vie – Europa Village

Perched on a gentle hill in Temecula wine country, C’est la Vie at Europa Village feels like a small Spanish estate tucked between the vines. Stone walls, terracotta rooflines, and rows of grapes on both sides created a setting that felt intimate yet cinematic from the very first moment.

Jacqueline & Gustavo chose a LITE five-hour package with one photographer and one videographer — an intense, fast-paced day where every minute mattered. Our goal was simple: move lightly, react quickly, and capture the soul of their celebration without ever breaking its rhythm.

A Compressed Morning Between Two Suites

The wedding day began in motion. Jacqueline and Gustavo were getting ready in suites located in different wings of the property, connected by stairs, corridors, and a short walk across the courtyard. With only around thirty minutes for getting-ready coverage, every transition was carefully planned.

We started with Gustavo: his flat lay, details, and a few quick portraits. His look felt unapologetically bold — from the sharp tailoring to the tall alligator leather boots that anchored his entire outfit. Then we moved back through the property to Jacqueline’s suite, where makeup was just being finished. There was time for a refined flat lay, a handful of delicate getting-ready frames, and a few portraits that captured her quiet anticipation before we were called to the ceremony.

A Wine Cellar Ceremony in Natural Ambient Light

The ceremony took place in the wine cellar — a cool, dimly lit space lined with barrels and warm practical light. Rather than overpowering the existing ambience with additional flashes, we chose to work with the natural light of the room, embracing its soft shadows and intimate mood.

Shooting at higher ISOs and respecting the direction of the available light allowed us to preserve the atmosphere exactly as it felt in the moment: quiet, emotional, and subtly dramatic. The vows echoed through the cellar, gentle glances were exchanged in the half-dark, and the resulting images reflect the space’s true character and mood in an honest, immersive way.

Portraits Outside the Cellar & Across the Estate

Right after the ceremony and congratulations, we began with a short portrait session just outside the wine cellar — the rustic entrance, stone textures, and soft remaining daylight created a natural, understated backdrop. These first portraits felt quiet and organic, perfectly matching the intimate mood of the cellar vows.

From there, we moved to the venue’s wide Spanish-style staircase, where the clean architectural lines allowed the couple to stand out effortlessly. Jacqueline & Gustavo preferred a calm, measured session rather than lots of movement, so we leaned into gentle poses, subtle shifts, and small moments of connection.

A brief walk around the estate completed this part of the day — a handful of timeless frames among stone walls, warm tones, and vineyard views, capturing their dynamic without forcing anything.

Mariachi, Cocktail Hour & Setting the Scene

As we came back up from portraits, the courtyard had shifted into full celebration mode. Guests relaxed into Cocktail Hour, glasses in hand, while a live mariachi band filled the air with music that felt both festive and deeply rooted in tradition.

This part of the day was pure reportage: guests laughing, talking, savoring the late-afternoon light. At the same time, the reception tables were already set, champagne waited on ice, and the sun began to slip lower behind the vines. We moved between candid guest moments and the details of the reception design, documenting the scene before the evening officially began.

A Sparkling Entrance & Editorial Champagne Moments

As dusk approached, guests settled into their seats and the atmosphere shifted into anticipation. Jacqueline & Gustavo made their entrance to an eruption of joy — waving napkins, sparkling fountains, cheers echoing against the warm stucco walls. They opened a bottle of champagne and poured it into a tower, creating a moment that felt cinematic and intimate all at once.

Here we alternated between clean, timeless frames and bold editorial-style black-and-white images captured with direct flash, giving the scene a raw, fashion-forward texture. Friends followed with heartfelt speeches — a blend of humor, nostalgia, and warmth — gently transitioning the celebration from high energy to something tender and deeply personal.

First Dance, Nightfall & the Last Glass of Champagne

As twilight deepened, the courtyard lights and string bulbs overhead began to glow, wrapping the space in a warm, golden atmosphere. Jacqueline & Gustavo stepped onto the dance floor for their first dance, surrounded by their loved ones and the fading hues of the sky. Parent dances followed, each one filled with quiet affection and soft smiles that set the tone for the rest of the night.

Once the dance floor opened, the evening transformed into a joyful rhythm — embraces, laughter, fast steps and slow sways, all unfolding beneath the hanging lights. We blended crisp documentary frames with intentional motion blur to highlight movement and capture the true pulse of the celebration. After the money dance and a wave of lively group portraits, the couple opened one final bottle of champagne, a sparkling punctuation mark on a day that passed far too quickly.

In Motion

A short film capturing the essence of the day.