Tehachapi Wedding, Dorner Family Vineyard | Ashlee & Ryan

It’s funny, I spent a good amount of time in Tehachapi since that is where I have primarily ridden bikes for the last ten years and yet, Ashlee and Ryan’s wedding at the Dorner Family Vineyard was the first wedding that I have photographed in Tehachapi.

Like the prior Mammoth wedding, we got so lucky with the weather. As I was driving into town it was so windy. I can tolerate the snow and the rain but wind at high speeds? No thanks. However, the Dorner Vineyard was somehow protected from the wind and I was even able to shed my jacket which I was not expecting. Did it get cold at night? Yes. But did we keep the dancefloor popping to warm up? Also yes.

It’s always fun getting to photograph a friends wedding. I feel like I probably met Ryan 8 years ago at least. I can tell you now that Ashlee is perfect for him. I knew it from the first time I photographed these two back in 2020. I didn’t have to do anything to elicit natural laughter between the two of them. They just did it. I was able to see just how happy they are when they are together. On top of that, being able to witness the interaction among their families during the wedding day just put the final nail into how perfect they really are together. You’d think they have all known each other for the entirety of their lives.

Thank you Ashlee and thank you Ryan for allowing me to capture your special day. And you have to give me the recipe for that fancy apple cider alcohol drink. I don’t remember what it was called.

-Nic