I’m seriously not even sure where to start with this beyond gorgeous Santa Barbara fete captured perfectly by Tanja Lippert Photography. I could literally gush on and on about the amazingly perfect design and florals by Lavonne Crawford of Adorations Botanical Artistry. I mean really, take a look at that bouquet…It’s insanely beautiful and the perfect combo of structure and freedom. And then there’s those adorable flower girls with their sweetly sophisticated black and white dresses that match the overall design to perfection. I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever used the word perfect in each and every one of its forms. Yup, it must be true. I’m totally smitten with this one! Click here for even more of this sophisticated Santa Barbara soirée.
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From the Bride…Jono and I first met when I was on a job interview at UC Santa Barbara. I was interviewing to be the ticket manager and he was currently an assistant basketball coach for the men’s basketball team. I was being shown around the office and introduced to staff and coaches when I was introduced to him. He asked where I was from, and I said Spokane, Washington. His response was, “I hate you.” I was slightly taken aback but laughed, and he explained that he had been there a few months earlier and had a horrible case of food poisoning, so he didn’t have the best memories. We always joke about the fact that the first thing he said to me was “I hate you.”
I accepted the job and moved to Santa Barbara. We became friends and hung out with a group of young, single co-workers often. We started working out together and hanging out just the two of us at times. I thought he might like me but I shrugged it off because I didn’t want to date a co-worker. But eventually after being set up on a date with someone else, I realized I was thinking about Jono the entire time and I should probably give it a shot (no basketball pun intended!). That was November of 2008 and we’ve been together since!
We looked at two other locations for the wedding. But I think we knew once we visited Bacara that it was the spot for us. We worked very close to Bacara and went on walks nearby often. We loved that our ceremony site had a garden like feel, but with views of the cliffs, beach, ocean and islands. We didn’t have to worry about the challenges of getting married on the beach (sand and wind issues). It was also important for us to be able to take some photos after the ceremony on the beach. We both agree that those beach photos are our favorite and we’ll hold the memories of taking those photos very dearly.
I had part of my baby blanket sewn in to my dress. I have loved my baby blanket my entire life and my great-aunt gave me a hard time since I was little that I should have it sewn in to my wedding dress, so I did! My baby blanket is blue and white gingham, and she actually hosted a bridal shower for me with a blue and white gingham theme!
Our place cards were designed to look like tickets to a game. I was the ticket manager at UCSB and sold tickets to the games Jono coached… tickets and games have played a significant role in our lives for sure! They were situated at the cocktail hour in green lentil beans, which is also significant as I grew up in Eastern Washington, which is the lentil capital of the world. Our save the date, invitation, place cards and menu’s were all from a hand drawn design specially created for us by Wendy Ware. She did an amazing job! She also hand-glued 10 crystals on each of our wedding invitations! In addition, the Bacara took the design from the invitations and created it for our cake.
From Tanja Lippert Photography…This was a beautiful, intimate wedding that I was asked to shoot for an amazing online inspirational show for photographers called the [Framed] show. The wedding was gorgeous and the bride outdid herself with gorgeous details, amazing venue and everything was picture perfect!!! The cool thing about this wedding is that is was filmed for an episode of the [Framed] Show and there is a very cool behind the scenes inspirational video that highlights Tanja Lippert Photography.
Venue: Bacara Resort & Spa / Florist + Design: Adorations Botanical Artistry / Invitations, Placecards, Menu’s, etc.: Wendy Ware / Linens: Concept Design / Wedding Photography: Tanja Lippert Photography / Assistant Photographer: Melissa Niu Photography + [Framed] / Dance Floor: Barker Décor Service / DJ: Gavin Roy / Ceremony Music: AMS Entertainment / Officiant: Rev. Miriam Lindbeck / Wedding Coordinator: Tracy Apodaca / Wedding Cake: Bacara Resort & Spa / Hair: Angel Puente of Mishay Salon & Spa / Make-up: Tomiko Taft + Romina Murillo / Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse / Flower Girls Attire: Children’s Place + Kalinascopes