Elegant Pink-Filled Montecito Country Club Wedding
As a golfer who grew up in Santa Barbara, I spent quite a bit of time at the Montecito Country Club on the greens, but I can't remember seeing it look this elegant -- or graced by such a gorgeous Bride and Groom. (Seriously, could these two be any more beautiful?!) Anna Costa captured this fairytale of a day in the gallery here, and let me tell you, my dears, this is not one to miss!
From the beautiful Bride... I’ve always admired the romantic, glamorous aesthetic of 1950s Hollywood, and that look was a major source of inspiration for our wedding. The grounds and ballroom at the Montecito Country Club – which have breathtaking views and stunning art deco touches – were the perfect backdrop for classic silhouettes and a muted palette. The moment we walked into the Club on our first visit, Derek and I were struck by its elegance – the dark wood beams and wrought iron chandeliers in the ballroom, and the incredible panoramic views of the Santa Barbara waterfront.
Shannon Kimbrough of Effloresce Floral created lush, stunning arrangements for the head of the aisle, full of white and blush pink peonies and champagne-colored roses. The indoor arrangements included spectacular café-au-lait dahlias, which brought an unexpected theatrical element to the decor. Derek and I also wanted to incorporate the beauty and charm of the local landscape, and had mini-potted succulents double as seating card-holders and guest favors. A few days before the wedding, my mom, soon-to-be mother-in-law, and I transplanted over 70 succulents into square glass votives, filled with champagne-colored stones. It made for a fun, creative DIY project for us, and our guests got to take a little piece of Santa Barbara home with them.
Derek and I did a “first look” – I wasn’t quite sure about doing one when we began planning, but I’m really glad that we did. Taking a few quiet moments to enjoy one another’s company before the festivities was really calming and joyful, and set the tone for the rest of our day. For the ceremony, it was important to us to weave in personal touches in celebration of our loved ones. Framed photos of our grandparents were included in the décor, and I was escorted down the aisle by my mom and younger brother to an instrumental rendition of Ave Maria, which was my grandfather’s favorite piece of music. Our incredible officiant, Reverend Miriam Lindbeck, created a ceremony for us that was more thoughtful and special than we ever could have imagined; she honored each of our parents, and recalled funny personal anecdotes that had everyone laughing.
For dessert, I surprised Derek with a mocha-flavored Oakland Raiders-themed groom’s cake, to pay tribute to his die-hard fandom. We had a photo booth in the lounge adjacent to the ballroom, which was a huge hit among our friends and family, and made for a hilarious and memorable guest book. One of my favorite moments was when Derek and I adorned ourselves in photo booth props – hats, glasses, and giant bow ties – then hit the dance floor just as “Shout” by the Isley Brothers came on. From beginning to end, our wedding felt like a beautiful dream – seeing all our loved ones together, celebrating – we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, or a better reflection of our union.
Shannon Kimbrough of Effloresce Floral created lush, stunning arrangements for the head of the aisle, full of white and blush pink peonies and champagne-colored roses. The indoor arrangements included spectacular café-au-lait dahlias, which brought an unexpected theatrical element to the decor. Derek and I also wanted to incorporate the beauty and charm of the local landscape, and had mini-potted succulents double as seating card-holders and guest favors. A few days before the wedding, my mom, soon-to-be mother-in-law, and I transplanted over 70 succulents into square glass votives, filled with champagne-colored stones. It made for a fun, creative DIY project for us, and our guests got to take a little piece of Santa Barbara home with them.
Derek and I did a “first look” – I wasn’t quite sure about doing one when we began planning, but I’m really glad that we did. Taking a few quiet moments to enjoy one another’s company before the festivities was really calming and joyful, and set the tone for the rest of our day. For the ceremony, it was important to us to weave in personal touches in celebration of our loved ones. Framed photos of our grandparents were included in the décor, and I was escorted down the aisle by my mom and younger brother to an instrumental rendition of Ave Maria, which was my grandfather’s favorite piece of music. Our incredible officiant, Reverend Miriam Lindbeck, created a ceremony for us that was more thoughtful and special than we ever could have imagined; she honored each of our parents, and recalled funny personal anecdotes that had everyone laughing.
For dessert, I surprised Derek with a mocha-flavored Oakland Raiders-themed groom’s cake, to pay tribute to his die-hard fandom. We had a photo booth in the lounge adjacent to the ballroom, which was a huge hit among our friends and family, and made for a hilarious and memorable guest book. One of my favorite moments was when Derek and I adorned ourselves in photo booth props – hats, glasses, and giant bow ties – then hit the dance floor just as “Shout” by the Isley Brothers came on. From beginning to end, our wedding felt like a beautiful dream – seeing all our loved ones together, celebrating – we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, or a better reflection of our union.