Nearly 90 years after the founding of Tierra Rejada Farm, which today consists of 120 creek-fed acres in the hills above Moorpark in Ventura County, the fifth generation of a pioneering farming family celebrated the relaunch of Walnut Grove Weddings at Tierra Rejada Farms, the property’s hallmark event venue. Champagne was flowing, cameras were flashing, and the excitement in the air was as delightfully palpable as the pink petit fours on offer. The mostly local wedding industry VIPs had gathered to fête the venue’s fabulous makeover and were buzzing the thoughtful upgrades and elevated rebranding on display, from bold tablescapes to a chandelier-graced white dance floor that seemed to float atop a green meadow surrounded by mature walnut trees.
It’s interesting to ponder what founders Monroe and Edon Everett would think of their farm’s latest iteration were they still alive today. These third-generation Ventura County farmers established Tierra Rejada Ranch in 1935 with 360 acres dedicated to tomatoes, lima beans, and sugar beets. Over the decades, the Everetts expanded their crops and in the 1950s they planted English walnut trees, which became the property’s signature. By the 1970s, Monroe passed the farm to his daughter Linnea and her husband, Rick Brecunier. Rick pioneered the hugely popular concepts of the roadside stand, pick-your-own produce, and cut-your-own Christmas tree farm.
Over the years, the Brecuniers endured the usual agro-challenges of climate, pests, and shrinking profits, but what concerned Rick most was the threat of suburban sprawl that seemed poised to overtake the bucolic Tierra Rejada Valley he’d grown to cherish. Developers were making offers for Moorpark farmland, but Rick resisted cashing in. “It’s not just about passing on the land to my family,” Rick explains. “It’s about preserving the farm for other families to experience.”
With that goal in mind, in 1991 the Brecuniers began to host community gatherings, and Rick came up with the idea to supplement the farm’s revenue by turning their striking grove of walnut trees into a dedicated wedding venue. It’s since been the site of hundreds of celebrations, and what began as an inspirational-but-simple clearing among the 70-year-old orchard has expanded and evolved to keep pace with modern demands and style.
A key factor in this evolution has been Rick and Linnea’s son, Josh. All the Brecunier children worked in the fields from a young age, nurturing an affinity with the land that’s apparently hard to shake. Although Josh moved to L.A. in the early 2000s to pursue a successful career in advertising, the lure of his pastoral roots was ultimately too strong. By 2007, with his father juggling a wedding business with the demands of the farm, Josh decided to leave behind the fast-paced city grind and return home to oversee the event operations full-time. He and his wife Elke (the current wedding manager) craved a more serene environment to raise their family and felt moved to not only preserve their heritage but also bring it more up to date.
In 2008, Josh and his father began transforming Walnut Grove, starting with the installation of a magnificent stone stage with an outdoor fireplace and a spacious reception patio draped with bistro lights. Between regulatory wrangles, a 2019 property fire, and then Covid, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Says Josh, “We used our time off during the pandemic to introduce custom upgrades to the property that we’ve never had a big enough window to accomplish before.”
The result is a reimagined next-level experience for bridal couples. Guests now enter to a paved outdoor foyer which flows into an expansive, welcoming terrace. A large built-in bar serves up signature cocktails and rose gardens around the patio perimeter define pretty spaces for those wedding must-haves — a guest book table, a photo booth, charming conversation nooks — all of which overlook a sprawling green lawn, those picturesque walnut trees, and nature in every direction.
While ceremonies still unfold on the meadow beneath a canopy of tree branches, the Brecuniers have added a new event area christened “The Grove.” This reception option can be customized with a completely different vibe than the stone terrace. For the Launch Party, The Grove was done up with exceptional Barbie-inspired glam—more chic awards dinner than country picnic. Though acres of avocados, tangerines, and seasonal crops grow on nearby fields and hillsides, Walnut Grove Weddings is a welcoming haven of relaxed sophistication, where couples can enhance their celebration with dazzling details such as a classic Rolls Royce, fashion-forward design elements, or dramatic uplighting. “Our extensive variety of on-site rentals allow our clients to add custom elements to their events,” explains Elke. “Today’s bride is looking to bring a little luxury to nature.”
Practical venue additions include upscale plumbed restrooms and a lovely bridal suite with mirrors, vanity, a patio complete with a soothing fountain, and lots of privacy. On the opposite corner, the Groom’s Patio, outfitted with shade umbrellas and lounge furniture, gives the guys their own spot to chill.
One of the keys to Walnut Grove’s success is a team of trusted event pros. “We’re blessed with a wealth of talented artisans in the local area,” says Josh, “and our new aesthetic not only inspires couples, but our vendor partners well.”
Also inspired was recording artist Alex Warren, who recently chose Walnut Grove as the setting for his new music video. While Warren sings and plays guitar atop the stone stage, the new dance floor showcases a tender pas de deux between a down-home wedding couple. Fittingly, both the video and the venue evoke a sense of timeless romance, and Walnut Grove Weddings at Tierra Rejada Farms has every likelihood of flourishing for generations to come.
CONTACT: [email protected]
