I had been looking forward to Carolyn and Matthew’s wedding since they commissioned me last winter! Their wedding was to be held in one of the most beautiful cities in America, Santa Barbara, which also is the home of my alma mater, Brooks Institute of Photography. I spent over three years there in the mid-eighties, and have only been there a few times since. How fulfilling it was to return to the town where I studied and trained to become a professional photographer, only to use these skills and photograph a beautiful wedding! In addition, their wedding was to be held at the historic Santa Barbara Polo Club, one of America’s oldest polo clubs dating back to 1894.
I had booked Carolyn over the phone last winter because she was living in New York City. We only met about a month before her wedding date but I knew from our conversations that she was going to be a great bride! She was always beaming with excitement about her wedding! I had not met Matthew until the day of their rehearsal, the day before the wedding, but he was as charming and friendly as Carolyn described him to be. They contracted me for eleven hours of photography on their wedding day, as well as having the luxury of contracting my good friend and wedding photographer, Asgeir Bollason of Asgeir Fotographica to provide second shooter coverage for most of the day.
It was a perfect, sunny and moderately warm September day! It began with getting ready photos at the Santa Barbara Inn. Carolyn’s suite had full views of the ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance. The families and wedding party were shuttled to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church near downtown Santa Barbara. The church was splendidly built with Spanish style architecture so famously prominent throughout the city. After the ceremony, the wedding celebration convened at the Polo Grounds for an open-air reception, accented by a full moon and the Motown sounds of Side Effect. I must add that Carolyn and Matthew’s first dance was the best I have ever witnessed in my 18 years of wedding photography! The day was a complete success! It couldn’t have been more perfect, which is due to the distinct choice of vendors made by Carolyn and her family. They include:
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club – reception & catering
Bobbe Vagell – Florist
Emma Petievich – coordinator
Pronovias – wedding gown
Priscilla of Boston – bridesmaids dresses
West Coast Music – SIDE EFFECT
NY Wedding Dance – private dance lessons
Solvang Bakery – triple chocolate cake
In n Out – amazing snacks
Santa Barbara Inn – hotel for wedding party & guests
Elements – rehearsal dinner
Classic Chassis – get away Bentley
Classic Party Rentals – rentals
Enjoy some of my favorite photos of the day below as well as the highlight slideshow at the bottom of the post:
