Central Coast Summer Wedding Inspiration: A Relaxed and Dreamy Day at Zaca Creek Ranch

Some weddings are so visually rich that every time you scroll through the gallery, you’re like, 'Wait, how did I miss that?' Sarah and Reed’s wedding at Zaca Creek Ranch? Insane. I mean, seriously, this wedding had me giddy the entire time. The golden hour glow? To die for. The checkered dance floor? Couldn’t stop dancing on it myself. Florals? Everywhere! Seriously, it was like stepping into a dream, with colors bursting from every direction. And the way they worked those pops of color into every corner? Chef's kiss.

Bride and groom kiss in a golden field at sunset with the bride’s veil trailing behind them.

Groom dips the bride for a kiss after their ceremony surrounded by cheering guests, showcasing colorful florals and joyful energy. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Flat lay of wedding details featuring bright florals, pearl jewelry, citrus fruits, and a wedding invitation with the couple’s names.

Set in the heart of Santa Ynez, this summer wedding was the definition of a good time. It was a celebration of joy, color, and all the little touches that made the day so them. You could feel the love in every moment, especially when Reed was showing off his dance moves (trust me, they’re as good as the wedding itself). If you’re dreaming of a colorful summer wedding with the most perfect sunset light, vibrant blooms, and long dinner tables under twinkling lights, this is the inspo you’ve been waiting for!

Wedding party walks and laughs together on the lawn with the couple in the center, bride holding a vibrant bouquet. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Groom kisses the bride’s forehead as she holds a bright bouquet with lush green hills behind them.

Bride and groom share a playful dance on the reception floor, smiling and holding hands. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Outdoor reception table under oak trees decorated with colorful floral centerpieces and white chairs.

Summer Wedding Inspiration at Zaca Creek Ranch

Zaca Creek Ranch is that venue. Seriously, it just gets it. Hidden away in Buellton, it’s got all the Santa Ynez wine country vibes you could ask for, without feeling like it’s trying too hard. We're talking stone courtyards, golden rolling hills, oak trees, and all the space you could need to stretch out, take a breath, and celebrate however the heck you want!

Bride and groom exchange vows on a wooden platform with mountains and greenery in the background. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Black and white wide shot of the ceremony location with a group gathered under a large tree and mountain views in the distance.

Bride and groom kiss in a golden field at sunset, captured in a romantic dip pose. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

The wedding party surrounds the couple in a celebratory group hug on the lawn, smiling and cheering under the sun. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Sarah and Reed totally embraced the venue’s natural beauty, then put their own personal spin on it. Bright summer florals? Thoughtful little details? A design that was both romantic and modern? Check. Check. Check. The vibe of the day was laid-back yet intentional, like the perfect balance of chill and wow. Every moment reflected them, which is what made it so special. Their vision was the ultimate summer wedding inspo, playful, artistic, and with just the right amount of edge!

A vibrant floral arrangement sits on a wooden platform, bursting with colorful blooms like peonies, snapdragons, and daisies.

Guests seated outdoors with white parasols for shade, facing the ceremony setup with rolling hills in the background. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

A wide shot of the wedding ceremony aisle with guests standing and the couple at the altar beneath a clear blue sky.

All in the Details: What Made This Day So Personal

From the start, you could feel how much heart went into planning this celebration! Sarah and Reed didn’t just want pretty photos (although… they definitely got them)! They wanted their day to feel like a story, one that included their people, their style, and their love for joyful little moments!

Some of the sweetest details?

Llamas (!!)
A colorful, checkered dance floor
Customized Seltzers with a photo of Sarah and Reed
Pops of pink, orange, and red woven into the flowers, linens, and lounge spaces
Sunglasses for guests, disco balls, and lots of vintage touches

A group of llamas grazing in a pen with golden hills and oak trees in the background, adding a fun touch to the venue. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

Custom hard seltzer cans on ice featuring black and white photos of the couple and a bright orange “Let Loose” label.

Colorful sunglasses with guest name tags displayed as wedding favors, each labeled with a table assignment. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

A bar menu surrounded by bright florals lists drink offerings including wine, bubbles, seltzers, and mixers.

A playful detail shot of guests’ dresses and shoes standing on a pastel checkered dance floor. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

They worked withAmanda Lauren & Co. to bring everything together, and you could see the impact of a designer who understands how to balance style with story! Every detail felt effortless, but also incredibly thoughtful. Their wedding perfectly captured the essence of colourful summer wedding inspiration, from beginning to end!

Hanging disco balls and fringed retro lamps light up the ceiling, with a glowing “BEEP BOOP” sign in the background.

Close-up of colorful floral centerpieces and table settings on a long outdoor reception table under string lights.

A romantic citrus-themed reception table features sliced oranges, lemons, and lush greenery woven around taper candles and woven chargers. Summer Wedding Inspiration.

A Summer Ceremony Full of Sunlight and Sentiment

The ceremony took place in the courtyard surrounded by floral installations from Wild Poppy that looked like they just grew there, like the flowers were meant to be part of the moment. Reed? He looked sharp as ever in a tailored suit. And Sarah? Stunning in a lace gown from Grace Loves Lace with a veil that was basically goals.

The bride and groom sharing their first kiss after saying "I Do" overlooking lush trees and greenery!

Elegant florals at the end of each row of chairs for the ceremony decor. Summer Wedding Inspiration

Close up of the bridesmaids walking together with their colorful bouquets in hand.

Then, just as they were exchanging vows, the sun peeked through at the perfect moment, lighting everything up and making the whole space glow like it was straight out of a dream. The emotions were flowing, there were tears, laughter, and so much love in the air. It was one of those moments where you could just feel the connection. This golden, emotional ceremony truly embodied what summer weddings are all about: romantic and full of light.

Groom tearing up after seeing his bride for the first time and wiping his eyes under a big lush tree.

The bride and groom sharing their vows during their ceremony overlooking yellow fields and lush trees. Summer Wedding inspiration

Bride and groom sharing their first look under big green trees. Summer Wedding Inspiration

Cocktail Hour with Llamas + Bride and Groom Photos at Sunset

After the ceremony, guests were greeted by the real stars of cocktail hour, the llamas. Yes, you read that right! These cuties roamed the property while guests grabbed drinks, checked out the lounge spaces styled by Otis & Pearl, and relaxed under the California sun.

Groomsmen standing at a fence that holds llamas. The llamas were guests in the wedding.

Two wedding guests cheersing their glasses in burnt orange glasses.

Wedding guests sipping cocktails during cocktail hour at a summer wedding

As the sun dipped, we snuck away for some intimate couple photos. This is when the colorful summer wedding vibe really came to life, with golden light and wide-open hills. The photos from this part of the day are warm, cinematic, and full of connection. It was the perfect pause before the party began.

A bride and groom embrace in a golden field at sunset, surrounded by rolling hills and oak trees. The bride holds a bright bouquet of pink and orange flowers.

A bride in a lace dress and long veil looks down while holding a vibrant bouquet of summer flowers in a golden meadow.

A romantic close-up of the couple sharing a kiss in the field, the bride’s veil flowing in the foreground and her colorful bouquet in hand.

The groom adjusts his suit jacket while standing in a sunlit field with oak trees and hills behind him.

Dinner Under the Lights + A Packed Dance Floor

Dinner was served at long tables with bold summer florals, taper candles, and statement place settings that looked like they were straight out of a Pinterest board. I mean, seriously, I had to stop myself from taking 100 pictures of them. High on the Hog Catering brought out some local bites that had everyone talking (and probably wishing for more), while guests toasted, laughed, and soaked in the vibe like they were in a rom-com montage. Sarah and Reed’s reception space? Twinkle lights everywhere, and it was perfect.

The newlyweds sit at their reception table outdoors, laughing and wearing sunglasses, with florals and candles decorating the table.

A group of guests enjoy dinner at an outdoor reception, with a flower girl sipping from a glass and wearing a floral crown and heart sunglasses.

The bride gathers on a deck with friends and family in a tight embrace, surrounded by guests in colorful attire.

After that? Oh, just a little thing called dancing. And I mean, a lot of it. RedShoe was absolutely bringing the beats, and that colorful checkered dance floor? Yeah, it was basically the heart of the party. The vibe was high all night, guests took turns shaking it on the dance floor, lounged under the stars like they were in a music video, and popped in and out of photo moments like they were professionals. Every part of the night had that dreamy, intimate magic that gives true summer wedding inspo a run for its money!

Guests dance energetically at the indoor reception, with motion blur capturing the energy of the dance floor.

The bride and groom share their first dance beneath a disco ball, surrounded by guests and twinkle lights.

A guest raises a drink and phone while dancing under warm lights, celebrating with others on the dance floor.

Guests dancing under disco balls and string lights during the wedding reception, with warm lighting and motion blur capturing the energy of the moment.

Tips for Planning Your Own Colourful Summer Wedding

If Sarah and Reed’s day has you dreaming of warm-weather celebrations and intentional details, here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan:

Summer light = magic
Plan to sneak away for 20 minutes during golden hour. That lighting is what summer wedding inspiration is made of!

Don’t be afraid of color
Bold florals, custom signage, and colorful table settings make everything pop, especially on film.

Make your day feel like YOU
Whether that’s llamas, pops of color, a school bus for transportation, or a funky dance floor, the best days are the ones that feel personal!

Work with vendors who get the vision
Having a solid team (planner, designer, photo/video, etc.) changes everything. Sarah and Reed’s day flowed smoothly because every vendor was aligned with the vibe!

The bride and groom kiss while surrounded by cheering guests holding colorful bouquets, celebrating under clear summer skies.

The bride and groom laugh together while cutting into a small vintage-style wedding cake topped with cherries.

A romantic blurred photo of the couple kissing in a sunlit field, the bride holding a bouquet of bold summer flowers.

A black bus with the words “Reed & Sarah Are Getting Married” parked against a backdrop of green hills and blue sky.

A close-up of custom hard seltzer cans featuring black-and-white engagement photos, sitting in a tub of ice.

Looking for a Central Coast Wedding Photographer?

If you’re planning a wedding that's equal parts stylish and full of heart, count me in! Zaca Creek Ranch? Definitely one of my favorite spots to shoot. The Central Coast is basically a goldmine of beauty, color, and light that makes your photos look amazing. Seriously, it’s like the camera can’t get enough of it!

For more summer wedding inspiration, explore more wedding blogs
Want to save this inspo? Follow along on Pinterest
And when you're ready to bring your vision to life, get in touch here!

And if you want to see the film gallery from this day, keep scrolling. It’s one of my favorites yet!

Vendors

Planner: Amanda Lauren & Co.
Decor & Lighting: Bella Vista Designs
Catering: High on the Hog
DJ: RedShoe
Hair & Makeup: Samara Beauty SB
Videography: Regan Scaife
Florals: Wild Poppy
Rentals: Amigo Party Rentals
Tabletop Rentals: Otis & Pearl
Transportation: Jump on the School Bus
Wedding Dress: Grace Loves Lace