San Ysidro Ranch Wedding – Karen D Photography

The weather was gorgeous, the lighting was perfect, and the couple made the day ‘them.’ I can’t think of a better place to have a destination wedding than Santa Barbara, California! Laura & Chris designed their wedding day with their favorite things in mind, while creating a unique blend of both Scottish and Californian flavors. Laura, who had completed a semester abroad at UCSB, wanted to share the beauty of Santa Barbara that she had discovered with her closest friends and family. With a ceremony at the SBCC Bagish Overlook, their family and friends were able to enjoy Santa Barbara’s beaches (without getting sandy!), a ride in the Santa Barbara Trolley gave everyone a taste of Santa Barbara, and Laura’s hand-made extravagant decor at their San Ysidro Ranch reception gave everyone a feel for California’s Wine Country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day started with the ladies getting ready at the Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel in Santa Barbara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura’s Vera Wang dress was absolutely stunning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dress had such beautiful details–even the ones that were glued on last minute! 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final makeup touches and the beautiful up-do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proud mama!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris gave Laura this beautiful pendant for their special day. It was the perfect piece to complement Laura’s dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final bridal photos before we were off to get hitched! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris & Laura incorporated Scottish traditions, including a bagpiper and kilts, in to their special day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Barbara City College’s Bagish Overlook had the ocean as a beautiful backdrop. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Kiss as husband and wife!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was very important for Chris and Laura to incorporate the iconic Santa Barbara Courthouse into their wedding-day. Although they were running behind with timing, we squeezed in a few minutes at the Courthouse, just to make sure they had these gorgeous photos to look back on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next came the magnificent lavender field at San Ysidro Ranch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The formal portraits with the bride and groom were so romantic and easy to capture with all the natural beauty San Ysidro Ranch offers, and how at ease Chris and Laura were with each other and in front of the camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details, details, details! I was so surprised to find out Laura had made the reception decor HERSELF! Aside from being artistically creative, I was impressed that she lugged everything all the way from the other side of the pond. Quite impressive, wouldn’t you say?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love these romantic photos of bride and groom under the luscious green archway! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then took a stroll around the San Ysidro Ranch gardens and found some more gorgeous spots to take more gorgeous photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All smiles and soo adorable!

 

Congratulations Laura & Chris!!!

 

A big thank you to all the vendors and venues who made this day such a success: The Fess Parker Hotel (bride Getting Ready location), Santa Barbara Community College’s Bagish Overlook (Ceremony location), Dave Champagne (Bagpiper),  Santa Barbara Trolley Company (guest transportation), Santa Barbara Courthouse (bride and groom photo location), San Ysidro Ranch (Reception venue & catering) & Chris Wooley (Cocktail Hour/Reception music).