Leoenss Cellars _ Temecula’s most iconic wedding venue and winery
“All you need is a little Aloha, some wine, and a corgie”
On February 29th, 2020, Malia and Marko celebrated their wedding with over 125 guests at the beautiful Leoness Cellars in Temecula California.
Everything about the day was amazing, from the moment my team and I arrived, to the delicious dessert table at the reception. The family welcomed us as one of their own and I was even offered a glass of cold white wine as I waited for the groomsmen to get ready.
Marko and Malia met in Hawaii, where their teaching careers and love for dance brought them together. After a 2 year friendship, they decided to give the “whole dating thing” a try. Their third passion, a Corgi named Porgi played a very big part in what is now known to the couple as “The PUP-Prosal.”
Malia is Hawaiian and wanted to incorporate some cultural tradition into the day. She placed leis on each of the groomsmen, on her father and father in law. She also performed a beautiful hula dance for Marko at the reception. All day I kept thinking to myself “I cannot wait to visit Maui again.” There was not a shortage of customized DIY elements to this wedding. In addition to the leis, the couple customized classroom styled programs as a play on their Educator background. Guests became students and were “assigned” fun to be had, from visiting the photo booth, to keeping score at the lawn games. Personalized paw print wine openers kept with the winery setting, but Malia and Marko also made sure to incorporate their favorite sports teams and Disney love throughout the reception.
The bridal party performed an amazing grand entrance dance as well as more performances by the bride, groom, and groom’s mother. It was incredible to watch! The couple had one hope when planning their perfect wedding day, and that was for their friends and family to look back and think, “Wow! That was a FUN event.” They definitely achieved this and more.
Little did we know, only 14 days later, the world would come to a screeching halt due to a freaking virus. Every wedding from March-June had to be postponed and our little valley of local wedding professionals felt the brunt of it all. I had to postpone more than 5 weddings happening in my busiest season. Luckily all of my couples were able to find alternative dates later in the year and keep me as their photographer.
Malia and Marko’s wedding holds a very special place in my heart. It reminded me of how much I love my job (after a long winter with no weddings) and how much it means to celebrate with family and friends. Everything we have is temporary and fades just as quickly as it comes.
Malia and Marko, I hope you get to relive your special day with all the moments we captured, both on video and film.
Cheers to an amazing wedding, and cheers to many more weddings once we open our country and celebrate once again!!
Check out the full gallery here
Check out their wedding films here
