A Chic Cielo Farms Wedding with Malibu Mountain Views
Alyssa and Ryan knew exactly what they wanted their wedding day to feel like: relaxed, elevated, and unmistakably them. Both naturally calm and decisive, they gravitated toward neutral, chic details and a celebration that felt beautiful without feeling overly formal.
When they found Cielo Farms in Malibu, it immediately felt like the right fit. The relaxed winery setting, surrounding mountains, and natural beauty gave them the backdrop they were looking for, while still creating the laid-back California atmosphere they wanted for their guests. Even on a particularly warm Malibu day in July, Alyssa and Ryan remained completely relaxed—and that feeling carried through the entire celebration.
Photography by: Salgado Photo
A Wedding Planned With Intention
From the beginning, a few things were especially important to Alyssa and Ryan: the naturally-beautiful venue, their entertainment with DJ Krieger on saxophone, and the comfort of their guests. But planning a beautiful outdoor wedding in Malibu in peak summer also meant thinking carefully about something that isn't always at the top of a couple's list: the heat.
Cielo Farms has relatively little shade throughout the property, so guest comfort needed to be considered well before the wedding day arrived. We planned for parasols and some umbrellas during cocktail hour, along with cold eucalyptus towels to give guests a refreshing break from the warmth. Having a water station where guests could easily serve themselves was another intentional decision that made a noticeable difference throughout the day.
The goal was never to let the weather become the focus. Instead, we planned around it so Alyssa and Ryan could remain completely present. And they did.
A Sweet First Look With Dad
Before the ceremony, one of the moments that stands out most was Alyssa’s first look with her dad. There was something especially sweet about seeing the two of them together before the wedding officially began. It was an intimate moment in the middle of a wedding filled with beautiful surroundings, thoughtful details, and plenty of activity, but it felt entirely personal. That emotion carried into the ceremony, too, when Alyssa walked down the aisle with her dad.
A Cielo Farms Ceremony Surrounded by the Malibu Mountains
The ceremony was one of the most visually striking parts of the day. Statement florals by Lily Roden Floral Studio lined the aisle, while the mountains behind the ceremony created a natural backdrop that was difficult to compete with. The wedding design itself was intentionally simple, allowing the beauty of Cielo Farms to remain the focal point rather than trying to transform the property into something it wasn't.
That is one of the things I love about planning weddings at venues like Cielo Farms. The setting already gives you so much to work with. Sometimes the most impactful design decision is knowing when to let the landscape speak for itself. For Alyssa and Ryan, the result was a ceremony that felt elegant, California-inspired, and completely at home in the Malibu setting.
A Relaxed Malibu Cocktail Hour
Their cocktail hour was full of personal details, including their custom cocktail napkins with Ryan’s handwriting, classic signature drinks, and a beautiful escort table. However, one of the most unique details of the day, their matcha cart, was so fun to incorporate! Alyssa and Ryan love matcha, so instead of choosing a traditional wedding favor, they brought in a matcha cart for guests to enjoy pre-ceremony & during cocktail hour since it’s more of a daytime drink. It was such a fun representation of the couple—personal without feeling forced and unexpected without taking away from the overall elegance of the wedding.
Before beginning the reception, Alyssa and Ryan took a few quiet moments for a private first dance. It gave them a chance to slow down, soak in the fact that they were officially married, and have a moment together before the celebration continued around them.
A Reception That Kept the Celebration Going
As the day transitioned into the reception, the focus shifted toward dinner, conversation, and celebrating with their guests. Fundamental Events helped bring that part of the experience together, creating a family-style meal that complemented the relaxed yet elevated atmosphere Alyssa and Ryan had envisioned for their Cielo Farms wedding.
One of the planning considerations at Cielo Farms is that many of the spaces naturally flow into one another. Rather than treating each area as completely separate, we had to think carefully about how guests would experience the property as they moved throughout the wedding. For the reception, we used five greenery hedges to help visually define the space and create more separation from the rest of the property. It was a simple design decision, but it helped give the reception its own sense of place while still maintaining the open, outdoor feeling that makes Cielo Farms so special.
And when it came to dessert, Alyssa and Ryan once again chose something that felt more like them. There was no traditional wedding cake. Instead, guests enjoyed ice cream and cookies, giving everyone another fun and relaxed moment to enjoy together.
What Made This Cielo Farms Wedding Feel So Effortless
Looking back, what stands out most isn't one particular elaborate detail. It is how effortlessly relaxed Alyssa and Ryan were throughout the entire day.
That feeling doesn't happen by accident.
A wedding can look effortless because a great deal of thought went into making sure the couple never had to think about the things happening behind the scenes. For this Cielo Farms wedding, that meant meticulously planning rentals in advance, understanding the venue's requirements, thinking through the heat and sun, considering how guests would move from one space to another, and making sure the overall layout supported the experience we wanted to create.
Those decisions may not be the things guests remember individually, but together, they create the feeling of a wedding day that works flawlessly.
tips for Planning a Cielo Farms Wedding
If you're considering Cielo Farms as your Malibu wedding venue, there are a few things I would encourage you to think about early in the planning process.
Plan for the sun and heat. Cielo Farms has limited shade, particularly in the areas where guests will be spending time throughout the day. Parasols, umbrellas, cold towels, plenty of beverage options, and a self-serve water/drink station can make your guests significantly more comfortable during a warm California wedding.
Think about the flow of the property. Because the spaces at Cielo Farms are relatively open and connected, your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception should feel like intentional transitions rather than completely separate environments. Thoughtful rentals, furniture placement, and visual dividers can help define each part of the wedding day.
Be meticulous with your rentals. Cielo Farms requires a full rental load-in, so rental quantities, set-up timing, and logistics need to be considered well in advance. This is one area where detailed wedding planning can make a significant difference on the wedding day.
Budget for the complete venue experience. When creating your Cielo Farms wedding budget, make sure you're accounting for all of the venue fees, staffing, wine, rentals, and other associated costs. Understanding the full investment early will help you make better decisions throughout the planning process.
Most importantly, remember that you don't need to compete with the setting. Cielo Farms is beautiful because of its natural landscape, Malibu mountain views, and relaxed winery atmosphere. The most successful weddings here often embrace those qualities rather than trying to completely transform the property.
Alyssa and Ryan's wedding was a beautiful example of that balance. It was chic but not overly formal, thoughtfully planned but never overworked, and filled with personal touches that felt true to them. And perhaps my favorite part was seeing two people who had put so much thought into their wedding actually get to enjoy it. That is always the ultimate goal.
Our Vendor Team
Venue: Cielo Farms || Planning, Design & Management: To Be Loved Events || Photography: Salgado Photo || Videography: Gatz Media || Catering & Bar: Fundamental Events || Content Creation: Kurated by Kassie || Floral Design: Lily Roden Floral Studio || Rentals: Premiere Party Rentals || DJ & Photobooth: Krieger The DJ || Matcha Cart: Maison Yuzu || Invitations: Isidore & Augustine || Makeup: Makeup by Sofia Rose || Hair: Glowing With Kori || Bridal Shop & Designer: Danielle Frankel || Alterations: Bridal Heirloom by Alice Schafer || Menswear: The Black Tux || Valet: Centurion Valet
