The lit stone entry flanked by cypress trees and terracotta pots at Vellano Estate in Chino Hills
Wedding Photography At

Vellano Estate

A Tuscan-style estate on a hilltop in Chino Hills, with stone terraces, cypress trees and wide views over the fairways, hills and valleys below.

Location2441 Vellano Club Dr, Chino Hills, CA
SettingHilltop estate in a gated community, above a Greg Norman golf course
StyleTuscan and Mediterranean design with a red-tile roof, stonework and Italian cypress
About the venue

A Tuscan hilltop estate above the fairways

Vellano Estate sits on a hilltop inside a gated community in Chino Hills, looking out over a Greg Norman golf course and on across mountains and valleys. The building is Tuscan and Mediterranean in feel, with a red-tile roof, generous stonework and tall Italian cypress trees lining the approach. It is operated by Wedgewood Weddings, and the whole property is built around the view.

Inside, a Grand Foyer opens onto the Portofino Lounge, the Wine Cellar and the Amore Suite for getting ready. The Grand Venezia ballroom sits on the top floor, reached by a private elevator or a grand staircase, with panoramic windows over the landscape. Ceremonies can take place on the Ceremony Lawn, a garden lawn lined with white rosebushes beneath a pergola, or in the Rotunda and other indoor spaces.

Couple on the balustraded terrace against the evening sky at Vellano EstateCouple on a stone balcony with lanterns after dark at Vellano Estate
Lulan Studio at Vellano Estate

Stone, lantern light and a long view

We have photographed weddings at Vellano Estate, and it is a venue that rewards planning around the light. The stone terraces and balconies face out over the hills, so we build the timeline toward sunset for couple portraits, then move inside to the paneled lounges and the ironwork staircase once the evening turns. After dark, the lit stone entrance with its cypress trees and terracotta pots makes one of our favorite night frames in the area.

Good to know

  • The estate sits on a hilltop in a gated community, so allow time for arrival through the gate
  • The Grand Venezia ballroom is on the top floor, reached by elevator or a grand staircase
  • Ceremonies can be held on the garden lawn under the pergola or indoors
  • The Amore Suite is set up for getting ready on site
  • Plan your ceremony time backward from sunset to protect portraits on the terraces

Where we like to shoot

  • The stone entrance framed by cypress trees and terracotta pots, lit at night
  • The stone balustrade terrace with hillside views at dusk
  • The stone balcony with its lanterns
  • The wrought-iron staircase for veil and gown portraits
  • The wood-paneled lounge with leather armchairs
  • The dark paneled rooms for moody evening portraits
Couple between tall Italian cypress trees at dusk at Vellano EstateCouple at the foot of the wrought iron staircase inside Vellano Estate
Planning your day

Sample wedding day timelines at Vellano Estate

These are drawn from the weddings we have photographed and planned here. Use them as a starting point to adapt with your coordinator rather than a fixed schedule.

Eight to nine hours with a first look

Getting ready at a hotel nearby, an outdoor ceremony in the late afternoon and the reception upstairs.
  • 1:00 PMCoverage begins where you get ready. Details, final hair and makeup, and time with each side of the wedding party.
  • 2:30 PMTravel to Vellano Estate.
  • 2:45 PMPrivate first look on the grounds, then wedding party and family portraits.
  • 3:45 PMCouple portraits on the terraces and around the estate, away from the ceremony setup.
  • 4:15 PMYou tuck away while guests arrive and the ceremony decor is photographed.
  • 4:30 PMOutdoor ceremony, around thirty minutes.
  • 5:00 PMCocktail hour. Guest candids, and golden hour portraits as the sun drops over the hills.
  • 6:00 PMGrand entrance, dinner, toasts, first dance, parent dances and cake cutting.
  • 9:00 PMOpen dancing and a short night portrait set at the lit entrance, then coverage concludes.

Seven hours with a church ceremony first

Ceremony at a church nearby, reception at the estate.
  • 2:00 PMCoverage begins where you get ready. Details and candid moments with family and the wedding party.
  • 3:00 PMChurch ceremony.
  • 3:45 PMFamily and wedding party portraits, then couple portraits around the church grounds.
  • 4:30 PMTravel to Vellano Estate. Reception details photographed before guests come in.
  • 5:00 PMCocktail hour and guest candids, with a few couple portraits on the terrace.
  • 6:00 PMGrand entrance, dinner, toasts and first dance.
  • 8:00 PMCake cutting and open dancing.
  • 9:00 PMCoverage concludes.

Six hours, evening wedding

Getting ready before arriving, an early evening ceremony and sunset portraits during cocktail hour.
  • 4:00 PMCoverage begins at the estate. Attire, details, final touches and individual portraits.
  • 4:45 PMFirst look if you choose one, then couple portraits and wedding party photographs around the estate.
  • 5:30 PMCeremony setup, decor and guest arrivals.
  • 6:00 PMCeremony, around thirty minutes.
  • 6:30 PMFamily and wedding party portraits, working from a prepared list.
  • 7:00 PMCocktail hour, with twenty to thirty minutes set aside for sunset portraits over the fairways.
  • 7:30 PMGrand entrance, first dance, dinner, toasts and parent dances.
  • 9:00 PMOpen dancing and guest candids.
  • 10:00 PMCoverage concludes, with the party continuing.
Good to know

What is specific to Vellano Estate

A few things about the estate that shape the day, and that are worth settling early with your coordinator.

The hilltop viewThe terraces and balconies look out over the golf course, the hills and the valley. Sunset is the moment to protect, so we plan the ceremony time backward from it.
CeremonyThe Ceremony Lawn gives an outdoor ceremony among white rosebushes under a pergola. The Rotunda and other indoor spaces are the alternatives.
The ballroom upstairsThe Grand Venezia ballroom is on the top floor with panoramic windows. A few minutes in the finished room before guests arrive is a good time to photograph the tables and the view together.
Getting readyThe Amore Suite is set up for getting ready on site. Some couples start at a hotel nearby instead; allow travel time and arrival through the gated community in your start time.
First look or notWithout a first look, we photograph each of you separately before the ceremony and keep a clear family photo list for afterward, so there is still time for sunset portraits.
EveningOnce the light goes, the paneled lounges, the ironwork staircase and the lit stone entrance give a warm, moody look for a short night portrait set.
Nearby

Where couples also photograph nearby

Spots around the estate that come up on Vellano wedding days.

  • The lit stone entrance with cypress trees
  • The stone balustrade terrace
  • The lantern balcony
  • The wrought-iron staircase
  • The Portofino Lounge
  • The Wine Cellar
  • The Ceremony Lawn and pergola
  • The fairway views at sunset
Questions couples ask

Questions couples ask about Vellano Estate

How many hours of coverage do couples book at Vellano Estate?

Six to eight hours covers a typical day here. Six hours works when you get ready before arriving and coverage starts at the estate. Eight hours or more gives room for getting ready coverage, a first look and more of the reception.

When is the best light for portraits at Vellano Estate?

The hour around sunset. The terraces face out over the hills and fairways, and the light turns warm and soft as the sun drops. We work your ceremony time backward from sunset on your date so portraits land in that window.

Should we do a first look?

It gives you the most portrait time on the grounds before guests arrive and lets you join cocktail hour. Without one, we photograph each of you separately beforehand and finish family and couple portraits after the ceremony, which works well with a prepared family photo list.

Can the ceremony be outdoors?

Yes. The Ceremony Lawn is a garden lawn lined with white rosebushes under a pergola. The Rotunda and other indoor spaces are also used for ceremonies.

Where do couples get ready?

The Amore Suite at the estate is set up for getting ready. Some couples start at a hotel nearby and arrive later; if you do, allow travel time in your start time.

Couple in a leather armchair in the wood-paneled lounge at Vellano EstateBride standing by the groom seated in a dark paneled room at Vellano Estate

More venues nearby on our regional venue guide and the city page.

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