I met Emeri through one of my other brides and we instantly clicked. She told me about her plans to elope in Santa Barbara the same weekend I’d be in California. I couldn’t have planned it better myself, it was meant to be. It would quickly unfold to be the most intentional and intimate celebration in Montecito.

We started the day at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Its iconic arches and lush gardens made every frame feel cinematic. The couple shared their vows quietly beneath the palm trees — no distractions, just pure connection.

Afterwards, we drove up to San Ysidro Ranch in the tranquil Montecito Hills. It was a beautiful, quiet afternoon—exactly the kind of serene energy you crave when escaping the everyday. Between the ivy-covered cottages and meandering lavender-lined paths, it felt like stepping into a secret European-style getaway tucked away in California. The resort’s historic charm and lush gardens created an atmosphere of timeless romance and understated luxury. Nestled in the foothills above the Pacific, San Ysidro Ranch is the kind of hideaway where you can almost feel the history in the air—where whispers of past glories echo among the sycamore trees and citrus groves. It’s peaceful, exquisite, and utterly dreamlike—a moment to breathe, linger and be present in a storybook setting.

We wandered through the gardens as the light softened, stopping between blooming roses and winding paths. We went back to their cottage where Bobby put on Emeri’s necklace and Emeri lit Palo Santo near the pool. It was the perfect ending to an effortlessly beautiful day — intimate, elegant, and so full of heart.

Days like this remind me why I love intimate celebrations — they strip everything down to what really matters: love, intention, and presence. An intentional and intimate celebration in Montecito.