Montecito, CA Wedding | Jessica+Max

“We just kept looking at each other and saying “we’re married” and intermittently laughing and crying.”

Jessica and Max’s Montecito backyard wedding was truly magical. From the First Look location to the cake, everything was perfection.

The unique setting to Max and Jessica’s wedding also helped make their big day special. From Jessica, “We chose to have the wedding at my grandparents home because it’s been such a special place to me since I was a kid. I always had such magical weekends up there and felt like it was the most beautiful place in the world.  Plus the house has so many great family memories for me; we have a huge thanksgiving there each year, fourth of July BBQs…I wanted the wedding to be part of that tradition.”

Below is a slideshow from the big day. To view the images at your own pace, scroll below!

Jessica got ready at a nearby rental house in Montecito.

Max wrote Jessica a sweet love note that she read prior to heading off to the First Look!

Jessica entering the Ennisbrook Trail looked like a fairy-tale princess!

Jessica & Max’s First Look!

Jessica had a few special items with her on the wedding day… “My mother in law leant me an antique pearl bracelet that had belonged to her mother. That was my “something borrowed”.”

Ella & Louie did a great job with Jessica’s peony and rose bouquet!

Family photos.

The ceremony set-up was stunning with the overhead trees and rustic-feel.

Max & Jessica’s wedding included many Jewish traditions, such as Ketubah signing (the marriage contract), the bride circling the groom at the beginning of the ceremony to symbolize building the couple’s new world together, just as the world was built in seven days, Kiddush, or drinking wine of the same cup, seven blessings which were recited by friends and family, and the breaking of the glass by the groom. Finally, the couple concluded their ceremony with what is called Yichud, a few minutes spent alone together before joining the festivities.

When I asked Jessica what her favorite moments were, she replied with the following: “It was listening to Max choke up as he said his vows, dancing the night away with my friends and even my grandmas, and definitely our few minutes of Yichud. Max and I followed Jewish tradition and spent a little time just the two of us right after the ceremony. We just kept looking at each other and saying “we’re married” and intermittently laughing and crying. It was nice to have a moment to reflect on being husband and wife before the party started.”

While Jessica and Max were enjoying some alone time I took the opportunity to photograph details, including the bride’s spectacular bouquet.

After Max & Jessica’s Yichud, we took family photos and bride and groom photos.

A photo of the wedding rings with the wedding bouquet as a backdrop.

Catering Connection served yummy signature drinks and hors d’oeuvre, displayed immaculately!

When I asked Max what his favorite part of the day was, he replied with, “The whole thing. Also walking into our reception space for a sneak peek was spectacular.” Can’t say I blame him or disagree! The reception set-up was a dream! All the details were put together so well and beautifully.

While many of the details were created by wedding professionals, an impressive amount of Do-It-Yourself creations were included…

“Everyone pitched in for my wedding! From the weeks my parents, grandparents, and uncle spent fighting the drought and landscaping the garden, to the reception florals designed and created by my aunt and cousin, to my cousin Grant who officiated our wedding in such a sweet and touching way, this was a major family effort! A few More DIY highlights– my dad and max built our chuppah. My brother-in-law drew our “guestbook” tree. He and my mother-in-law also built and painted the beautiful beanbag toss inspired by our wedding invitations. My dad made all the printed materials from the programs, to escort cards to menus, and included his own original artwork. My dad also baked our cake! Our cake table was gorgeous if I can brag. A few months before the wedding one of the oak trees in the reception site fell. I was devastated, but I decided that we should find a way to use the tree in the reception anyway, so my wedding coordinator and I came up with a plan for a table full of tree branches, candles, greenery and of course CAKE! In addition to cake, we also had a variety of desserts lovingly made for us by our friends and families.”

Max & Jessica’s first dance as husband and wife!

The cake and dessert displays were heavenly!

And the rest of the wedding reception was spent dancing the night away thanks to DJ JAS…

Congratulations to Max & Jessica on their new titles, their new home in a new state, and their new jobs! May your new life together be as successful and loving as the family effort put in to your big day!

 

And, of course, a shout-out to all the people who were involved in this magical day:

First Look Location: Ennisbrook Trail

Wedding and recepetion venue: Private Montecito estate

Wedding Coordinator: Michel B Events

Photographer: Karen D Photography

Hair & Makeup: Unveiled Makeup & Hair

Florist: Ella & Louie Floral Studio

Ceremony Musician: Ybarra Music

DJ: JAS Productions

Catering: Catering Connection

Rentals: Venutra Rental

Lighting Design: Bella Vista Designs

Vintage Rentals: Otis + Pearl

Valet Service: Blue Star Parking

 

Honorable DYI mentions:

Reception Florals: Diane Ruesch (bride’s aunt) & Mary Riefel

Cake: Jim Lane (father of the bride)

Desserts: Various family members

Programs, Escort Cards and Menus: Jim Lane

Officiant: Grant Perry (bride’s cousin)