Grace + John
Chic Coastline Microwedding
Grace and John brought friends and family to their favorite place to celebrate with a luxurious fete
Credits
Planning: LuckEleven Events
Photographer: Ali Beck Photography
Videographer: Brand Videography
Venue: Ritz Carlton Bacara
Flowers: Knot Just Flowers
HMU: Pretty Please Beauty
Lighting/AV: Bella Vista Designs
Dessert: Milk Bar
Cigar Bar: VB Cigars
“So many of my friends talk about how meeting with their wedding planners "feels like a chore" and that couldn't be further from the experience with Mel. She makes you feel like you're just great friends planning a fun party, which you are. My husband and I felt so, so relaxed on our wedding day (and leading up to it!) while she and her team dealt with everything -- believe me, there was a lot -- behind the scenes flawlessly and professionally.”
The Plan
Grace and John were such an incredible couple to work with. They met at a wedding and wanted the romance of that day to be encapsulated in their wedding! The couple, who live in Boston, spent a lot of time at the Bacara in Santa Barbara as John travels there for work often. It only made sense to have their big day at a place close to their hearts.
The Day
They brought their families and a couple close friends to the west coast and had a Santa Barbara-esque wedding week hanging out by the beach, visiting the zoo and more. Grace's vision was inspired by the idyllic palm fronds of the west coast and weaved that green accent through her details. She wanted to add modern California details to an elegant design that can withstand the test of time. Together with the help of her planner and graphic designer sister/maid of honor, they designed a romantic day on the cliffs followed by a night under the (twinkle light) stars.
One of my favorite moments from this planning process was when Grace planned to surprise John with a cigar bar, but halfway through the walkthrough she couldn’t keep it in any longer and ended up telling him beforehand. He still loved the unique activity and everyone enjoyed watching their cigars being rolled on-site. By the end of the night, many of the guests went out onto the back balcony to admire the full moon and enjoy their fresh cigars.
Grace and I sent each other what felt like a million inspiration pictures, even off-brand photos that I could use in future weddings! We had the best time making this day beautiful. Grace said that she looked forward to all of her planning milestones and none of it felt like a chore as she had the microwedding of her dreams.
