This wedding was such an unexpected joy. This exceedingly low-maintenance bride reached out to me only a few weeks before, mentioned she had some bulldogs to include in the wedding, and that it was in a backyard. I expected a small, casual, simple wedding. But while it was amazingly stress free, it was also FABULOUS.

The happy surprises came one after another from the start. The bride, her mother and sister got ready at a nearby hotel. They wanted some photos outside, and my brain midday is always like “oh joy, direct sunlight and no shade” but by gosh it was cool! Santa Ynez has this way of shifting seamlessly between old west and classy villa vibes, I love it.

Next, and she’ll blush at the mention because everyone at the wedding kept gushing over this fact, the bride made her own wedding dress! And have you ever seen a more elegant bride? She did the old-fashioned veil thing, where she stays veiled until the first kiss - pretty rare nowadays, and I’m all for it! Then, the yard where the wedding took place, was no ordinary backyard. I mean look at that light! Those gardens! The pool! I actually asked the host family whether they rent it out as a wedding venue, but true to how down to earth they are, the thought had never occurred. And around the grounds, the decor was perfection. The bride had collected stunning colored glass goblets which made the table settings shine, and you know how much I enjoy twinkle lights, of which there were plenty.

The ceremony took place around their gorgeous garden swimming pool. Afterward they let the bulldogs out for a few joyful minutes to make sure they were included in their parents’ wedding day.

Lastly, a bonus for me was that the mother of the groom had her own fantastic dogs there too. Sadly I didn’t get any photos of them, but it just put a cherry on top of the feeling that I had known these people my whole life, and it truly was an honor to photograph the union of these two lovely families and this beautiful couple.