RANCHO SANTA FE, CALIFORNIA
The backdrop for Sara and Rob’s joyous and elegant California wedding was none other than Rob’s own childhood home! The couple, who currently reside in New York City, agreed that there’s truly no place like home. That’s right, they utilized every nook and cranny of the Tuscan-style residence to bring family and friends together to join them in celebrating their marriage. The house served as the getting-ready space for both Sara and Rob, as they dressed and spent time with loved ones on opposite sides of the home. From there, they were able to share their First Look and take some portraits at the pond right outside of his parent’s home. The backyard served as the charming rose garden-inspired ceremony space, in which guests were served a flute of champagne and a paper cone of rose petals to toss before being seated. After the ceremony, the guests were ushered to the pool area to enjoy a craft cocktail and hand-tossed wood-fired oven personal pizzas, mini-tacos, and watermelon appetizers. While the guests were enjoying their delights, we were able to sneak away to the sideyard of the home for some romantic portraits right as the warm California sun was setting.
Olivia Sudol, the Principal Designer, and Planner for Elle Events, really outdid herself on this one. She was able to turn the driveway, yes the driveway, into an inviting and intimate al-fresco dining affair, fit for the Italian coast. During the couple’s vows, Sara told the delightful and hilarious story about how on her first date with Rob he ordered a drink with an umbrella in it. She thought maybe it had been just something that the restaurant did to liven up the cocktail, but was mildly horrified when he left it in his drink the entire time. Then while on their second date, he ordered another drink and specifically asked for an umbrella in it. She thought right then and there that the entire relationship wasn’t going to work, but Rob charmed her the rest of the night with his warm and outgoing personality and she couldn’t resist his charm. Now it’s become a tradition for these two to order umbrella drinks wherever they go! Unbeknownst to either of them, their planner Olivia arranged to surprise the couple with their own umbrella drinks during toasts to commemorate their love story! The crowd went wild!!!
After a relaxed and elegant candlelit dinner, the couple and their wedding guests moved into the backyard once again where the ceremony space had been transformed seamlessly into a grand and chic cake-cutting area with a gorgeous and romantically lit space set aside for dancing. This wedding was so full of love and happiness. These two were so filled with joy that it just radiated off of them. It just goes to show you don’t need the biggest and best venue, you just need a warm familiar place with family-centered people.
PHOTOGRAPHY | Vanessa Rose Photography | VENUE | Private Estate | FLORAL DESIGN | Parker and Posies | EVENT DESIGN + COORDINATION | Elle Events | RENTALS | Bright Event Rentals | INVITATIONS + PAPER DESIGN | Sterling Stripes | GOWN | Marchesa Bridal | TUX | Alan David Custom Suits | HAIR + MAKEUP | Triplow Beauty | STYLING MATS | JRD Artshop | CAKE | Hey There, Cupcake | LINENS | BBJ La Tovala | FILM LAB | Goodman Film Lab
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