Corbin Gurkin is my hero. She gets to witness some of the most gorgeous weddings on the planet and the way she captures them is nothing short of MAGIC. From the boutonnieres to the first dance and all the newlywed smooches in between, ahh we are smitten kittens with each and every image. And this perfect gem is no exception. {duet} Weddings crafted all of the delightful decor from this Montecito soirée and the freaking fantabulous flowers? Those babies where whipped up by Modern Day Design. It’s a regular old pretty party and you’re all invited. Get your swoon on in the gallery with more from this lovely day.
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Peter and Jessica met nine years ago at Brown University. They now live together in Brooklyn, NY. They chose Santa Barbara as their wedding location because Jessica is from Los Angeles and grew up going to Santa Barbara, because her parents had a place there.
El Mirador is an absolutely magical overgrown estate in the Santa Barbara area. They wanted the guests to get to experience all the amazing areas of this “secret garden” so they had the guests enter at the top of the property and exit at the bottom, having wandered and experienced the many incredible areas. Guests drove up a dramatic palm-lined driveway where they were greeted by the valet. They then entered the old foundation of the original house, with a koi pond in the center, built in the 1920’s, that has since been torn down and never rebuilt. Guitar music greeted them as well as fresh lemonade with a spiked option. The guests could then wander under the foundation to the Grotto that was used during Prohibition. With wooden arrows leading the way, guests found their way through old stone paths to the pond with a Japanese garden. At the pond were the bass and violin players playing Django Reinhardt music. There was another beverage option of cucumber water. After the guests explored this amazing backdrop they were queued by a gong to head towards the ceremony lawn, a beautiful grassy area surrounded by huge trees. The chuppah for the ceremony matched the wild beauty of the location.
After the ceremony, guests were led to another lawn near the reception area where the cocktail hour was held. While guests enjoyed cocktail they also participated in a Polaroid sign in book that Jessica’s photography friends helped run. Joaquin Trujillo shot Polaroids of the guests for the sign-in. Guests strolled over to the old carriage house and courtyard for the reception with strung lights hanging across the structure. The flowers were a brilliant array of jewel-toned purples, oranges and greens arranged in vintage tins and vases provided by Jessica, Rebecca Stone and Camille (florist). All the guests had silkscreen printed mini sacks of wildflower seeds on their plates as a party favor listing that a donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council had been made in their honor. The food from Seasons Catering was displayed as a family style buffet featuring homemade mushroom ravioli as well as local vegetables from Ojai. The cake mirrored the rustic design of the event with a “Betty Crocker” style of butter cream frosting with organically placed fresh figs, berries, champagne grapes, and flowers. The wedding was an intimate affair in a naturally beautiful, organic, and warm setting on a perfect late summer day.
Wedding Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography / Wedding Coordination: {duet} Weddings / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Location: El Mirador Estate / Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals / Floral Design: Modern Day Design / Catering: Seasons Catering / Wedding Cake: Christine Dahl Pastries / Officiant: Rabbi Evan Goodman / Wedding Invitations: The White Aisle / Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Musicians: Ivan Johnson / Wedding Reception Music: Gavin Roy of Santa Barbara DJ’s / Hair Accessories: Pluma (the bride!) / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale + J.Crew + Priscilla of Boston + Joanna August / Groomsmen Attire: Bloomingdale’s / Hair & Makeup: Kelly of The Studio Agency