Intimate Santa Barbara Wedding at Convivo
After weeks of overcast skies, I woke up to a bright, sunny morning, the kind that makes the ocean glow. It was the perfect day—and my first-ever wedding shoot! My excitement mixed with nerves, but I was ready to create a beautiful gallery for this intimate celebration.
I arrived at the Santa Barbara Inn and headed straight to the bridal suite, where I met Meghan, her bridesmaids, and her radiant energy. Having photographed Meghan and Kasey’s engagement session back in April, I felt honored to capture the next chapter of their love story. The suite was spacious, and the calm atmosphere was unexpected but welcome.
I started the day with creative flat lays and detail shots, capturing the delicate details of Meghan’s wedding dress hanging gracefully between two large doors. Soon, the rush of wedding prep began. I shot Meghan in her satin robe and furry shoes, capturing soft moments as she got ready near the sunlit window. There was a sweet, quiet moment when Meghan’s mom helped her zip up the dress and fasten her earrings, the two sharing a knowing smile.
A special first look unfolded as Meghan’s bridesmaids saw her in her dress for the first time—pure joy and awe filled the air.
Then, it was time for the real first look. Kasey waited behind a row of palm trees while Meghan made her way to him. Their emotional reactions, from laughter to tears, were everything you could hope for in such a heartfelt moment. As the nerves faded, the love between them became even more visible.
Before the ceremony, I spent time capturing candids of the wedding guests and detailed shots of the venue, setting the scene for the upcoming vows.
The ceremony began with the wedding party walking down the aisle, the sound of waves crashing softly in the background as Coldplay’s "Yellow" played. With fewer than 50 guests, the intimacy of the event was palpable. Meghan and Kasey exchanged deeply personal vows before sealing their marriage with a kiss. Just like that, they were officially husband and wife!
After the ceremony, we moved on to family portraits before the wedding party jumped onto a party bus bound for the iconic Santa Barbara Courthouse for sunset photos. We started with group shots and ended with portraits of the newlyweds in the golden light.
Next, we returned to the reception at Convivo’s Montecito Room. The space was beautifully decorated, with lush greenery and glowing candles adorning the tables. A photo booth in one corner and a guest book in the other added playful and sentimental touches.
When the newlyweds made their grand entrance, they went straight into their first dance, setting the tone for the evening. After a delicious dinner, the maid of honor and best man delivered speeches that balanced humor with heart, bringing laughter and happy tears to the room.
Then, the real party began. After the cake was cut, everyone hit the dance floor, celebrating the couple's love late into the night.
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful wedding to kick off my journey into wedding photography. I’m excited for what’s to come and can’t wait to capture more love stories in the future!
