Aubrye & Weston // Thousand Oaks Wedding

Aubrye and Weston met when they were teenagers. After their first date, they pulled over on the side of the road, & had their first kiss IN THE RAIN. They’ve been together ever since.

Together, Weston and Aubrye have a beautiful little girl named Lacey! She is a blonde, blue-eyed angel baby with a hilariously strong personality & the cutest gummy grin you’ve ever seen. Imagining their wedding through their daughter’s eyes was such a unique experience, and I hope their little peanut is able to remember her parent’s wedding through their photos!

 I first met the couple + their babe last fall when we took some family photos. I quickly adored the way Weston and Aubrye are together—never taking themselves too seriously, laughing through every moment, and loving each other with all they have. They seem to live life on an elevated level of joy and gratitude, but after getting to know them, everything about their attitude & tendency to spread love wherever they go makes perfect sense. This couple has experienced such beautiful highs together over the past few years as well as incredibly challenging losses. From having a daughter together to tragically losing two close friends last year, it’s clear to see how through thick & thin, they are always able to come back to their little family for support and comfort.  

Aubrye and Weston’s wedding was emotional, whimsical, and full of love from start to finish. Throughout the entire afternoon, Weston was overwhelmingly emotional, unable to go more than 15 minutes without breaking down in tears. He kept saying it was the “hardest day of his life” but the “second best day of his life” (Lacey’s birth ranks #1), and I just don’t think he could quite grasp how to feel all the things at once! He cried when his friends helped him get dressed. He cried when he opened a beautiful photo book from his bride. He cried when he posed with each of his groomsmen for their photos, and BOY did he show such beautiful emotion when he saw Aubrye for the first time.

Their first look was one of the most stunning displays of sheer love I’ve ever witnessed. Aubrye, in a unique blush-sparkly-princess gown, approached Weston and tapped him on the shoulder. He (already crying), turned around and with one glance at his bride, collapsed in tears and kissed her hand. He couldn’t even utter a word after seeing how stunning his wife-to-be was, and off to the side, their grooms & bridal parties cried as they watched the scene unfold. After Weston stood up, the couple shared a hug, a kiss, and a quiet moment with each other. Although their first look was RIGHT before their ceremony, I think it’s wonderful that we made it happen… because I worry Weston would have straight-up passed out if he didn’t see Aubrye until she walked down the aisle. I just love a groom who shows emotion. It’s the sweetest.

The rest of the day was effortlessly relaxed and lovely. The couple had a quick, simple ceremony spotted with tiny ring bearers and flower girls meandering up and down the aisle with ring pops in their mouth. Aubrye showed off Weston’s ring after putting it on his finger with a HUGE smile, which brought about uproarious laughter from all of their guests. After they said “I do” and shared their first kiss as husband and wife, we took tons of fun wedding party photos followed by portraits of the bride & groom. During the wedding party photos, I was struck by how hilarious all their friends are together. When I prompted, “ok, now kiss” (referring to the bride & groom), the couple turned and just kissed the friend next to them.. without a thought. The closeness of this family-like group of friends was so special to see. After family photos were completed, Weston captained a golf cart that I held on to for dear life as we zoomed outside of the venue to a dirt road for additional pictures. It was a blast.

I must mention here: the food at this wedding was freaking magical—a chef came and made tons of Chinese food in a series of woks and then served it hot and fresh. I sat with my pal who shot the wedding with me, shoving Chow Mein in my face and exclaiming that it was the best wedding food I’d ever had. Chinese food is the answer, guys. 

After lovely speeches and a delicious dinner, everyone headed to the dance floor. The couple shared a first dance, followed by the traditional father-daughter & groom-mother dances. Afterwards, the couple honored the memory of their friends they’d lost by sharing an additional dance with those friends’ parents + siblings. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, and deeply meaningful. I am certain that their buddies, Blake & Jake, were looking down on their family and friends, stoked that they have such strong support systems and unbreakable bonds.

After the tears dried, everyone took to the dance floor to celebrate life and love. This wedding party and their friends... knew how to party. The dance floor was wild for hours on end, only punctuated by quick trips to the bar for more shots + drinks. Groomsmen lost their jackets, and then some lost their shirts, ultimately just wearing a tie and a vest and dancing on each other. Throughout the evening, I couldn’t help but notice again JUST how special this group of friends is and how close they are; I remarked to one of their parents that they all seemed like siblings rather than pals. They are lucky to have one another, and they are all literally in love with each other. 

After an acoustic serenade by two of Aubrye’s bridesmaids & a fun and energetic sparkler exit, the night was over and I headed home—jealous of the dance floor, but not jealous of the hangovers I knew 75% of the guests would experience the next day. All in the name of love.

Thanks for having me as a part of your epic day, Mr. & Mrs. Thurmond! I love ya.