Our Santa Barbara wedding was an intimate, luxurious celebration that brought together family and friends for an unforgettable experience. Here’s a look at how we planned our perfect day.
After shooting at so many different venues and courthouses, my husband and I landed on Santa Barbara -which we understood to be a relaxing place, that we could always go for a weekend trip So, when it came time to plan our wedding, we knew it was the perfect place to say “I do.” With a smaller guest count of only 24, we focused on creating an intimate and elevated experience for everyone who celebrated with us. From our welcome dinner at Bouchon Santa Barbara to our romantic private vows on the Courthouse lawn, and reception dinner at La Paloma —every moment was intentional, heartfelt, and truly unforgettable.
A Rain-Kissed Morning & Getting Ready
The morning of our wedding brought a soft, light rain—which they say is good luck. The air was crisp, and 8 of my close girlfriends got ready with me. We got ready in a cozy Airbnb, surrounded by excitement, anticipation, and a few happy tears – especially once they had presented me with my handmade bridal book (this had photos, stories, and well wishes for me and my husband-to-be)!
First Look & Private Vows
Our first look was originally set to take place at the Courthouse, but as always, wedding days don’t always go to plan and that’s ok! Our first look took place at our Airbnb, giving us a quiet moment together before the celebrations began. I was so overwhelmed with emotions, and seeing my husband finally relaxed me. Then, we took a vintage Rolls Royce to the courthouse where we exchanged our vows privately (during this time, our day-of coordinator [JenEvents] was setting up our impromptu ceremony site and getting our florals (and guests) in order. Our private vows was one of my favorite parts of the day—just us, taking it all in. After that, had our ceremony, with guests lined up on either side, and white pillars with colorful floral arrangements at the front of the aisle, a last minute floral decision we will never regret!
An Elevated Experience for Our Guests
By keeping our guest list small, we were able to create a truly luxurious experience by raising our budget for the food for everyone in attendance. Instead of spreading our budget thin over a larger crowd, we really wanted to focus on high-quality food, drinks, dessert, ambiance, and meaningful details.
Welcome Dinner at [Bouchon Santa Barbara]: The night before our wedding, we gathered with our closest family and friends for an intimate dinner at Bouchon. It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend, filled with laughter, incredible food, and heartfelt toasts.
Reception at [La Paloma]: The best dinner experience ever! Our reception was centered around great food, great company, and an atmosphere that felt warm, whimsical, and truly special. There was a separate patio area where we were able to host our cocktail hour before being seated, have our first dance, and even our cake cutting at the end of the night.
Looking Back
(Get it, ’cause my new last name is Back) ~ Every detail of our wedding day—the rain, the intimate moments, the delicious food, and the time spent with the people we love—made it everything we had hoped for. We wouldn’t change a thing! I will say, as the bride who has captured so many weddings before, I truly understood the overwhelming emotions of the day. You have a vision for what your wedding will look like – and how happy you’ll be. And for some, that is true, but it’s also ok if there is some sadness, for loved ones who could not attend, or anxiety of all the things coming together.
That being said, if you’re planning a wedding and debating whether to keep it small, I definitely recommend 10/10! Not only are you able to elevate your experience for guests, but you are also able to truly enjoy each and every guest, and create a day that you can look back on and feel you were able to be more present with each other and everyone celebrating you.
VENDOR CREDIT
venue: @santabarbaracourthouse @lapalomasb
associate photographer: @linabellweddings
second photographer: @jeffisaacphotography
associate videographer: @thesirenandcofilms
coordinator: @jeneventsca
florals: @aivyfloralstudio
cake: @awkwardpastrychef
hair & makeup: @shaniecrosbie @ysg_beauty
