Santa Ynez Wedding | Laurel + Thilo

We have been excited for this Santa Ynez wedding for quite some time.  We have been to the Santa Ynez Valley for several styled shoots and engagement sessions, so we knew we were going to be in for an amazing day.  Combine all these gorgeous settings with this cheerful couple and you can understand why we were so excited.

We met Laurel and Thilo at their Goleta Beach engagement session not too long ago.  At that time we got to see just how sunny and carefree they were with each other.  We should have expected how much fun the whole day actually was.

It began with everyone getting ready at the Hotel Corque.  Emma began with Laurel and Josh with Thilo.  Everything was calm and relaxed on the guy’s side, mostly just hanging out and chatting while the final touches were made.  On the girl’s side, Emma made sure to capture Laurel in the same dress her grandmother wore in her wedding and even got to see a photo taken from that special day.  That dress has certainly held up over the years and looked stunning on Laurel.  In keeping with her family’s tradition, Laurel also wore a small ivory clip in her hair that had also been worn by all the women on her side through the generations on their wedding day.

Shortly before the ceremony, we all gathered into two groups, one of all the women attending the ceremony and one of all the men.  Then, everyone made the short walk to the Santa Ines Mission and its historic property setting the mood for the happy day.

After a spectacular ceremony, everyone gathered out front of the 210 year old California Mission.  In keeping with the jovial theme, the walk back to the hotel was one every guest would remember.  Laurel sitting in a small red wagon and Thilo pulling in front, with tin cans dragging behind and “Just Married” painted across the back.  This trip through Solvang with all the wedding guests following close behind cheering them on was truly unique.

From there it was on to the Santa Ynez wedding reception aboard a school bus to Rideau Vineyard.  The night continued with the lighthearted feel and even featured a cake adorned with veggies (marzipan ones of course).  As all the guests danced and partied through the night it was great to see Laurel and Thilo still beaming and every bit as happy as that first day we met them on that day in Goleta.

Here are some of the amazing vendors that helped make this beautiful wedding come together:

Wedding Coordinator- Amber Alyse Weddings + Events
Catering- Pure Joy Catering
DJ- Music by Bonnie
Florist- Terra Bella 
Cakes- Solvang Bakery

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