Santa Barbara Wedding Overlooking The Pacific Ocean
The word chic doesn’t really do this wedding justice because it’s so much more than that. It’s a balance between the elegance of Bacara Resort & Spa and the transformative design by Wedding Kate, perfectly captured by This Modern Romance. When Courtney first discussed her vision, she wanted to make certain all elements complimented the venue, being sure not to cover or hide anything. She wanted to make the design feel authentic and intentional, and through sumptuous textures, detailed design features, and a few statement pieces, she achieved it. Courtney was drawn to the delicate French Chateau style and loved the idea of using color and shape to speak that into the design. Wedding Kate thoughtfully developed a plan to showcase the venue’s natural beauty, setting the ceremony atop the bluff overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific. To add a refined touch, she added a custom-built aisle with a harlequin stone pattern, blending the soft floral palette with the sharp lines of the coastline. Courtney was a stunning bride in a classic gown with a timeless chignon and soft, glamorous makeup. She met her groom Sean for I do’s before enjoying cocktail hour overlooking the villas of the resort. An oversized handmade chinoiserie seating chart held cards to direct guests to their dinner seats, which featured stacked gold rim plates and ribbed crystal glassware. The final candles were lit on the terrace beneath the crystal and glass chandeliers. Vines hung overhead to help complete the garden dream, with French touches thoughtfully throughout the tablescape and place settings. Courtney and Sean were showered with love and toasts from their friends and family and, in turn, treated them to a champagne tower, complete with edible flowers. Moving into the party, guests were welcomed by Ben Mallare to get relaxed and party down on the dance floor. The cake was cut, the last song played, and the newlyweds strolled to their villa under a sky full of stars. It’s no wonder Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera; these chic European details sure look good on her.
The wedding dress was designed by Ines di Santo, and the shoes were by Loeffler Randall.
The bridesmaid dresses were designed by Jenny Yoo.
The Black Tux designed the groomsman attire.
Guests enjoyed 30-Day Aged Filet Mignon, Seared Salmon with Thyme Buerre Blanc, and Local Summer Vegetable Lasagna, highlighting the Central Coast's excellent organic farms and regional cuisine. The menu was expertly paired with a beverage program that included Jordan Cabernet, Brewer Clifton Pinot Noir, and Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Showcasing the couple's favorite local bar cocktails, trays passed old-fashioned and Spicy Margaritas allowed guests to sample what a Friday night as husband and wife would look like. They simply had to name the cocktails after their furry date night companions, who couldn't be in attendance at their big day.
From the very beginning, Courtney had a clear vision; she knew she wanted a French elegance infused into her design plan and elements that had never been seen at her venue. From the custom harlequin aisle to the chinoiserie seating chart and the layered silk tasseled menus, French luxury was seen and felt at every turn. Her florals were soft and featured peonies, black-centered anemones, tulips, roses, and a variety of hydrangeas. Her ceremony arch was lush and constructed not to block too much of the enviable California coastline. Her bouquet featured theme flowers with a touch of astilbe to give a touch of delicacy to balance the structure of her dress. We chose textured ribbed glassware for the tables, rimmed in gold. We selected light wood tables and chairs to allow the classic navy to anchor the table setting and bring visual interest to the tabletop. The oversized chandelier in the ballroom was draped in fresh florals, offering a luxurious element to bring depth and whimsy to the dance floor.
The wedding cake featured tiny, petite, handmade sugar flowers created to look like petals and cover the cake in a natural, organic pattern. The soft color of the cake was developed to include the muted blush tones in the florals. The intricate design was balanced by the simplicity of the cake stand, allowing the detail to shine.
The string quartet's sound carried to the hotel entrance, so guests were summoned by romantic sound the moment they entered the valet. The quartet played classical pieces as guests arrived at the Bluff, which overlooks the ocean.
We used custom art to create the chinoiserie seating chart, adorned by each guest's name, hand calligraphed and finished with handmade silk tassels. Oversized, the chart was displayed at cocktail hour and stood 8 feet tall by 12 feet wide. The custom artwork featured the couple's monogram in the center.
Our champagne tower allowed guests to briefly pause dancing and grab a glass of sparkling to give them the momentum to stay until the last dance. We chose to have our bride and groom do the honors of a celebratory pour, which resulted in cheers and laughs as the champagne overflowed and required a quick sip. The tower was stacked with vintage-cut crystal glassware, a fun journey from the cleaner lines displayed on the dining tables.
