A San Ysidro Ranch Wedding
Ellie and Ivor were married in a springtime wedding at the San Ysidro Ranch. They wanted a wedding that was sophisticated and understated and to Ellie the San Ysidro Ranch in the heart of Montecito embodied both those things. Ellie wanted an intimate wedding in Santa Barbara, her home town, so that she could share all of it’s special qualities with those she and Ivor love. The San Ysidro Ranch was an easy choice as it is a location they frequent multiple times a month for dinner.
We worked with Ellie to establish a color palette that included blush, light grey and cotton white. We made sure that each detail from the layering in the bodice of her dress down to her love of her three dogs were found throughout her printed materials. We worked closely with Tracy of Lazaro Press to design each and every invitation, response card, label, cup, tag, bag- you name it we had our hands in it and we were making sure there was a common thread woven throughout the event from beginning to end.
Ellie walked down the aisle in a strapless Alvina Valenta gown paired with the perfect shade of blush satin Lavender by Vera Wang heels. The bridesmaids, her two sisters and her soon to be sister in law all wore light pink gowns by Ann Taylor and carried small hand tied bouquets of ranunculus and peonies by Nico Cervantes of NLC Productions. The San Ysidro Ranch features a lawn with two mature arches that NLC Productions studded in garden roses in shades of snow white, creamy ivory and blush pink. There was wax flower and hydrangea to add extra drama and fullness to the arch- it was stunning. The aisle was covered in a heavy layering of blush rose petals. The bride wanted to include her three fur babies, Guapo, Malka and Midas in the ceremony too, so we had custom collars and leashes created and a dog handler on site to watch over the dogs and keep them company while their parents said their vows. Since we had such an intimate group it was important to the bride and groom that all of the guest be involved in the ceremony, so at one point everyone got up from their seats and formed a circle passing their two wedding bands along a ribbon that read, “ And they lived happily ever after.” Each guest got a moment to hold the rings and put their good wishes on them for the couple. The amazing Miriam Lindbeck performed the ceremony.
The cocktail reception followed and was filled with lawn games to keep guests entertained croquet, bean bag toss and lawn bowling. Guests strolled the grounds, sat by the lily pond, listened to the sounds of Anthony Ybarra play his guitar and sat for the caricature artist. The guest’s caricature would later be made into a keepsake for them to take home as a favor and to remember the night for many years to come.
The bride surprised the groom with a vintage motorcycle with a sidecar, so they could pose and take pictures in it. They even had doggles for their pup to wear in a few photos. Megan Sorel then snuck the couple away for more romantic shots throughout the gardens of the ranch.
The reception was dreamy! The Hydrangea cottage was filled with tall arrangements of pink florals and tons of candles. The tables actually featured runners made out of votives in order to add extra glow in the room. The night was filled with loving toasts and memories of their budding romance and first time meeting. After dinner guests moved to the patio to enjoy desserts prepared by Jessica Foster Confections as well as champagne and strawberry shortcake. They enjoyed time together until late into the night on the patio under string lights. When they decided to retire to their cottages, guests were given one last surprise, a custom hot cocoa stand with all the fixing and the chocolatier herself making the amazing to go concoction for you and of course the mug featured one of their three pup’s silhouettes. It was truly a sweet ending to a wonderful beautiful day.
