Hailey & Ross // Calamigos Ranch Birchwood Room Wedding
"A Scottish boy and a California girl walk into a bar..." & proceed to fall madly, deeply in love. This silly line I wrote back when I photographed Ross & Hailey’s engagement photos somehow made it into Hailey’s VOWS—I felt like a celebrity author.
After growing up across the world but meeting & falling in love in San Francisco, Hailey & DJ Rossy B headed to Malibu this past summer to make it official.
The Bennet's day was beyond perfection… after starting off on a wildly turbulent foot. When I arrived at the venue, I got a call from my soulmate / the couple’s wedding planner, Tiffany. She said the bride’s gown zipper was broken, but that the bride said she had a backup dress(?!?) Frantic, I immediately met up with the videographer and rushed over to the bridal suite to see if my sewing kit could somehow help the situation.
When we walked in, the room was curiously calm. Mirroring everyone’s energy, I said hello to the bride, introduced myself to her mom and bridesmaids, and then quietly inquired about the broken zipper. AS IT TURNED OUT, the bride’s dress was just fine, and one of the BRIDESMAIDS had a wonky zipper on her dress and a backup option on standby. There was a huge miscommunication, and Tiffany had the wrong information. Struck with relief, I literally laid down on the floor to process the news. I was so glad that Hailey’s freakin’ DREAM DRESS was safe and sound, and that her bridesmaid had an easy plan B.
Besides that would-be-hiccup, the day went off without a single hitch.
With a dream team of vendors, comprised of a half-dozen of my favorite wedding professionals in SoCal, the day felt like a big reunion and a well-oiled machine.
With a seamless schedule and every single family member + guest arriving right on time, there was no stress involved in sticking to our carefully planned timeline.
With gorgeous & mild summer weather, guests were comfortable and buzzed with excitement to celebrate this sweet couple.
With the chillest bride and groom EVER, no moment of the wedding felt like work… it all just felt like hanging out with friends (who you happen to loudly and enthusiastically be complimenting every 3-4 seconds).
With Southern California's finest bagpiper and the men dressed handsomely in kilts, the groom’s Scottish heritage was beautifully represented and on full display.
Through an emotional & hilarious ceremony—their officiant though the groom's last name was Bennito for some reason—guests giggled and teared up during heartfelt vows and hilarious officiant typos.
With one of the funniest toast / roasts I've ever heard (shout-out to the groom's brother), I was literally cry-laughing behind my camera while listening to what the best man had to say… all 30 cue-cards-worth. At one point, he said that “one of the groom’s favorite hobbies was posting pictures of Hailey Hunter on Instagram, in an attempt to prove to everyone in Scotland that he did, in fact, have an American girlfriend (now wife).” He continued, “You’re married now.. we get it,” as the crowd erupted with laughter.
Lastly, the reception had a legendary fully packed dance floor, filled with guests who came to PARTY. People were lifted in the air, friends were rolling around on the ground at one point, and someone even danced so hard they ripped their pants.
All in all, I couldn't construct a more perfect wedding in my wildest imagination.
I think that somehow, someway, Hailey & Ross would've found each other anywhere. When you're around these two, you can't help but feel that they were undeniably fated for each other, like their story was written in the stars far before it unfolded. Their love is SO vivid—with two energies that seem to constantly and magnetically gravitate towards one another—and their wedding celebration was fittingly electric.
So grateful for YELP (lmao) where Ross found me way back when, and so lucky to know these two. Congratulations, Bennitos!!! ; )
