Aubrey & London // Intimate Santa Barbara Wedding
This couple’s love story is layered and rich (yes, just like a chocolate cake), and their wedding felt like a perfect reflection of their otherworldly, one-of-a-kind connection. These absolute angels met at the end of 2019, right on the cusp of the pandemic. Their relationship blossomed, and they spent a few beautiful years together before life gently (but painfully) nudged them in different directions. They chose to follow their own paths for a while, trusting that if they were meant to be together, the universe would let them know.
What stayed steady through their time apart was love and friendship. A deep bond remained, untouched by time or distance.
For three years, they supported each other from afar, grew, and evolved. And then, in a very “this belongs in a romantic movie” twist, the universe did bring them back together. Their timing finally aligned. Their visions for the future matched. Everything made sense again.
*The couple hilariously describes themselves as a “golden retriever (London)” and a “black cat (Aubrey).” Sticking to the animal theme, I will henceforth describe them as “lovebirds.”*
ANYWAY, just like that, these lovebirds moved forward with complete clarity and pure excitement at the prospect of a life shared. And then they emailed me!!! Ok, let’s be honest, Aubrey emailed me. And I knew within 5 minutes of reading & re-reading her beautifully written, heartfelt inquiry that if nothing else, I wanted to be her friend.
That brings us to their wedding! On a perfect fall afternoon in Santa Barbara, Aubrey & London hosted their ceremony at the gorgeous Trinity Episcopal Church. From the moment I arrived, the energy was calm and warm. Aubrey got ready with her best friends and her mom before sharing a private, emotional first look with London. Seconds after that first look, London swiftly pulled out his phone to show Aubrey photos of her cat that he’d taken that morning while she was gone getting her hair and makeup done. That’s romance, that’s silly goose behavior, and that’s London. He is a fun-lovin’ guy, he is a goofy guy, & he is also a PICTURE GUY. My personal favorite London-ism was how excitedly he took photos with his iPhone throughout the entire day. If he wasn’t actively in a picture, he was standing 1 foot behind me, snapping his own version of the moment on his phone.
The lovebirds’ ceremony was sweet and meaningful, with sunlight streaming through the church windows and bathing them in a golden glow as they listened to sacred readings and shared personal vows. Afterward, the couple exited the church into the bright afternoon breeze before hugging & celebrating with all their loved ones. Then, we all had a positively unreasonable amount of fun taking family & friend photos. There is something so magical about a small wedding, where every guest knows and loves the couple so deeply. With music blasting from my speaker, we took a few dance breaks, and there was a whoooole lot of laughter. The couple also has so many adorable nieces and nephews, and they were all running around constantly, making everything even more lively, fun, and unpredictable.
After formal photos, the three of us wandered around the neighborhood for some sunset portraits. I couldn’t help but admire how perfectly the couple’s energies balance one another. London truly is a golden retriever, and Aubrey is the loveliest black cat I’ve ever encountered. Bonus: I’m not allergic to her like I am to actual cats. :’)
Somehow, despite never meeting before their wedding day, Aubrey, London, and I quickly fell into a natural banter and instant comfort, like we’d known each other forever. They are just good people, and they are too easy to get along with & to love. Aubrey is one of the most gentle-hearted, thoughtful friends anyone could dream of. And London? He’s the kind of person who makes any day, any party, any moment, instantly 300x more fun.
As the sun dipped behind the trees, we headed to The Factory, a newer elevated-backyard-style venue in Santa Barbara, for the couple’s reception.
At the venue, guests mingled, sipped on glasses of wine, and enjoyed some of the best focaccia and garlic confit I have ever tasted in my lifetime. Then, the team from Satellite SB prepared & served what might genuinely be the most divine wedding meal I’ve ever had. I still think about the ravioli biweekly.
Music floated gently through the space as twinkle lights sparkled overhead, creating the coziest atmosphere for an intimate dinner. Later on, the bride & groom’s parents gave loving speeches, eliciting both tears and laughter, and then everyone danced the night away under the radiant full moon.
You might be thinking: A wedding with only ~20 guests couldn’t possibly have one of the wildest, most energetic dance floors ever. But you would be wrong. It was epic. And Aubrey & London have such immaculate taste in music, I couldn’t help but dance myself! And then I ate some cake. And then I danced some more!!!
The whole day was honestly perfect.
These lovebirds™ are so dang special. I feel lucky to know them, and even luckier knowing they’ll be in my life for as long as they’ll have me.
Together, they’re a force. And they’re living out one heck of an epic love story.
So congratulations(!!!) to this sweet duo. Here’s to full-circle love, full-moon dance parties, and an absolutely unforgettable celebration.
