Robyn & Alex // Intimate San Ysidro Ranch Wedding
Robyn & Alex met the old fashioned way—on OKCupid!!! On a fateful Friday night in 2016, they went on their first date… and then proceeded to go out the next night, too! The rest, as they say, is history.
The couple soon moved in together, and after surviving a year of quarantine & somehow never getting sick of one another, they took a trip to San Ysidro Ranch for a weekend getaway. While hot tubbing in their suite’s backyard, Alex, who had always said he never wanted to get married, casually asked Robyn to marry him!!!! She was absolutely shocked. Less than two weeks later, Alex followed up his jacuzzi-posal with a real proposal, and the two were officially engaged.
The couple shares a deep & unwavering love for food & adventure—Robyn was into blogging when they met, and Alex soon filled the roles of her biggest fan and loyal taste-tester. Robyn says that in his dating profile, he mentioned being a foodie.. but ultimately, he just meant that he loves to eat. :) Together, they’ve traveled all over the country on motorcycles, in helicopters, on boats and by foot, & seen dozens of concerts together.
I met Robyn & Alex for the first time on Zoom (thanks, pandemic) and when I got off of our call, I promptly told my boyfriend, “I’m in trouble, I love them.” These two have the best sense of humor, are wildly down-to-earth, and honestly just have the most beautiful energy about them! I was so thrilled when they chose me as their photographer & outlined their plans to get married at San Ysidro Ranch, one of my favorite venues in the entire world!! They decided to keep things small, inviting only a handful of VIPS—their immediate family members and their best friends—to be a part of the celebration.
When the big day finally arrived, I drove up to Montecito & met up with the couple in their cozy but enormous private suite. Alex & Robyn chose to get ready all morning + afternoon together, which I absolutely loved. They wanted to spend their entire wedding day with one another, and pretty much omitted any “traditions” that went against their vision for their day or didn’t make sense to them. (Myyyy kinda people!!!!) Alex ran around the suite shirtless, eating pastries and fielding last minute phone calls, as Robyn traipsed around in her bridal robe, happy as could be. The vibe was… immaculate.
Soon, Robyn’s best friend arrived to help her get into her dress, and Alex put on his suave-as-heck velvet tux in the next room over. One of my favorite parts of the day was after Robyn put on her dress & looked in the mirror. Tearing up, she brushed through her hair with her hands and said “OH MY GOD. I’M F*CKING GETTING MARRIED… AND I LOOK SO GOOD.” Bless her heart—that’s the big bridal energy I dream of!! It was the greatest moment, and she radiated such genuine joy; I felt lucky to be one of the three people in the room to witness her elation!
After an emotional first look in their wedding attire, the couple & took family photos and a few portraits around the property in the 90º sunshine. Soon, guests arrived & found their seats for the ceremony.
With beautiful acoustic guitar accompanying their processional, the couple floated down the aisle arm-in-arm with their parents, and joined hands on the stunning green lawn surrounded by mountains & rows of roses. Family & friends watched on as Alex & Robyn became husband & wife, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the garden! The bride & groom’s deeply personal vows brought alternating bouts of laughter & tears from their dearest people. After their first married kiss, the newlyweds walked back up the aisle in a shower of rose petals with the BIGGEST smiles on their faces.
Following their ceremony, the couple took playful photos with their best friends, and then boarded the golf cart to head down to the blooming lavender fields & cobblestone driveway for sunset. The light was SO magnificent, not even Robyn *physically sinking into the dirt in her heels & sweating trying to keep herself upright* could take away from the magic of their portraits (lol). The sun glowed a gorgeous yellow-orange as it set behind the rows of olive trees, and then it was back to the golf cart & time to taste each of their appetizers & be whisked off to cocktail hour.
Their reception, set in a serene outdoor space complete with dangling lights & a crackling fireplace, was intimate & stunning. At two long tables engineered for an amazing meal & deep conversation, family & friends settled in for a night of celebration. The evening began with a delicious several-course dinner, followed by sweet first dances, tender & hilarious toasts, & the TASTIEST desserts. Alex & Robyn cut their wedding cake (which they promptly smashed in one another’s faces) and chatted the night away with their loved ones. I formed a strong bond with their small nephew, and he and I spent a good chunk of time writing silly things on Robyn & Alex’s guestbook Jenga blocks. I am a giant child disguised as an adult, after all.
After all was said + done, the Mestreses were married and on cloud 9. Their wedding day was one for the books—personal, intimate, meaningful, & SO “them” in every way. I am so glad I got to be a part of their celebration & capture such a beautiful day… and eat one of each of their desserts… and take a box of wedding cake home to eat for lunch the next day. Honestly, I have to wonder: do I love these two because they love dessert as much as I do, or because they’re incredible people?! Could be either. Could be both. You decide.
Congratulations, Robyn & Alex. Here’s to 80 more years of adventure, treats, and love.
