Vineyards are where wedding dreams are made and when you toss in a talented team that includes Pure Joy Catering, TEAM Hair and Makeup, and Miki & Sonja, well, those dreams become reality. This timeless affair, with just the right amount of rustic touches, is the perfect way to kick start this busy week ahead and I’ll be soaking up every inch of this stunning gallery for the foreseeable future.
From The Bride… We felt the most important elements of our wedding should reflect heritage, devotion, and appreciation. We wanted there to be a sense of tradition, with honor paid to age-old customs while simultaneously creating our own. We wanted each guest to feel the warmth and appreciation we felt for them.
The locations were chosen as a reflection of our histories. Although our paths have been scattered over Boston, New York, the Midwest, and Los Angeles, we wanted our wedding to reflect our hometown roots. A number of weekend events, including sailing, a coastal road trip, and welcome dinner, took place in Santa Barbara proper, with the sparkling Pacific ocean a reflection of Matt’s roots in a small sailing town just north of Boston. The wedding was held at a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. We were married under an old tree in a clearing between the fields and vines, which felt like a tribute to my agricultural roots in a small farm town in Indiana.
The invitation suite was a combination of beautiful design and hand-made touches. The graphic design was created by our dear and talented friend, Anelise Salvo. The invitations were finished with details like vintage stamps and hand-pressed Myrtle, which I hoped would reflect the natural beauty of California that we wanted to be a key feature of our guests’ experience.
Other details including welcome baskets, a custom map, programs, place settings, and other paper goods were handmade. It’s truly amazing what you can do with a sewing machine and a home printer. In the days leading up to the wedding my family and girlfriends trickled into Los Angeles to help finish the DIY projects late into the night over champagne. My sister turned my kitchen into a makeshift bakery, making treats for the welcome baskets. In lieu of a traditional guest book, I collected old images of lovers from different eras and had them printed for guests to leave messages on the back.
Our florist created a setting that felt like an extension of the natural beauty of the vineyards. The bouquet was tied with a collection of lace – some vintage lace collected by my mother, some new. Our incredible florist incorporated this theme in subtle detail in the mothers’ wrist corsages and boutonnieres.
The ceremony was an eclectic mix of moments to pay homage to our individual family backgrounds. Selected Beatles songs were played by a four-piece string quartet. The mother of the Groom gave a touching performance of ‘Bei Mir Bistu Shein’, a catchy 1930’s rendition of an old Yiddish song loosely meaning “To Me You Are Lovely”. A cousin of the Bride performed a solemn and moving violin solo of ‘Ashoken Farewell’ to honor and remember our passed loved ones. The Officiant was a life-long friend of Matt’s, delivering a ceremony built upon our love story and personal vows.
The ceremony was followed by a sunset cocktail hour on a garden terrace overlooking the valley and mountains. The reception was held in the winery courtyard, with gorgeous green vines climbing the walls. The entrance and first dance songs were ‘Since I Met You Baby’ and ‘Nothing Can Change This Love’ by Sam Cooke, one of the crooners in the background during much of our relationship. Toasts, delicious food, and dancing under the stars sealed our celebration of love.
Photography: Miki & Sonja Photography | Videography: Cloudless Weddings | Event Planning: Nicole Arena Of Green Ribbon Parties | Floral Design: Oak And The Owl | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones | Invitations: Anelise Salvo Design Co. | Jewelry: BHLDN | Catering: Pure Joy Catering | Hair And Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | DJ: Scratch Weddings | String Quartet: Santa Barbara String Quartet | Vintage Car: Classic Motoring Car Rentals | Wedding Venue: Firestone Winery | Alterations: L'ezu Beverly Hills | Bridal Suite: The Canary Hotel | Invitation Suite: Anelise Salvo Design Co. | Lace Bridal Robe: Girl With A Serious Dream | Letterpress: Aardvark Letterpress | Paper Goods / Decor: DIY By Bride And Bridesmaids | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Specialty Bread: Crazy Good Bread Company | Veil: Handmade By Mother Of The Bride | Vintage Stamps: Alex Karenin Estate Jewelry Store | Welcome Baskets: DIY By Bride And Sister Of Bride