Dress: Custom Anais & Flora Veil by Claire Pettibone
Photographer: Taryn Grey Photography
Planner: Event of the Season
Florals: Camellia Floral Design
Venue: Bel Monde El Encanto
Santa Barbara Black Tie Wedding in Anais
There's something about a black tie wedding in California. The dress code is formal, but the vibe is relaxed. Dressed up to celebrate our beautiful couple's love, that Santa Barbara sun has us longing for warm summer nights. Photographed to perfection by Taryn Grey, this wedding planned by Event of the Season at the Belmond El Encanto and our gorgeous bride in Anais are a beautiful example of why we love classic black and white photos and lush garden weddings. Children at weddings can be a controversial topic - some couples seem pretty passionate about it on both sides. Well, these little ones in their formal finest are a vote for yes - how adorable are they?! Of course, the choices every couple makes for their day are theirs to make, and I don't believe there is only one "right" way to design a wedding. As long as it feels right for you, that's what you should do. Same goes for the dress. When you choose a gown, of course, pay attention to what looks good on you, but go a little deeper, and think about how it makes you feel. We find when our brides find "the one" it's a combination of looking beautiful, feeling confident, and another more hard to describe element - the dress just feels like her. Taylor chose the Anais sweetheart strapless gown, but with some custom touches to make it truly "her". The A-line skirt and bodice are made of beaded chiffon flowers appliqued onto tulle layered over a classic Chantilly lace. In the original design, the dress is all ivory, but for Taylor, we used an exquisite silver metallic lace underneath instead. It gave the gown a touch of shimmer, and a very subtle silvery glow, which was the perfect hue and level of formality for our bride...classic elegance with a twist!
Under a canopy of flowers, these two exchanged their vows. Bravo Camellia Floral Design - all the flowers in this wedding from aisle, to arch, to tables, are stunning! Our bride wore the Flora wedding veil, which is a perfect compliment to the Anais gown. Organza flowers and delicate beaded vines trail along the edge and keep that floral theme going strong. It's beautiful when the veil is a bit longer than your train, so that as you walk and move, the layer of tulle flows behind and doesn't get lost or tangled in the skirt. These details are the things that fill my head, and when I look at our bride's photos, it's such a great feeling knowing that we helped bring this beauty to life.
Another tip: don't be afraid of a long train. We'll bustle it up with usually just one to three hooks - no crazy diagrams needed, and you'll be free to enjoy your reception without a care - run around, dance, and soak up all the joy and love - that's what this day is all about! Tearful toasts, stolen kisses, and eyes for only each other (but look at those dance floor ceiling florals!) ah, what a magical day turned to evening. Congratulations Taylor & Chris. Your wedding was a dream, and it was a joy to dress you up for this beyond elegant wedding celebration.