Santa Barbara Resort Wedding from Joy de Vivre & Michael + Anna Costa

When a wedding this pretty comes across our desk, it’s not just a happy day. It’s like this big sigh of “this is why I am never allowed to complain about my job” happy day. Because in life, beauty this rich and layered is decidedly rare and it easily reminds you that even on your cloudiest day, when it comes to weddings, all is good in the world. Designed by the lovely Joy de Vivre with flowers by Modern Day Design and imagery by our friends Michael & Anna Costa, I could live and die in this celebration alone. Click here to see so much more.

From the Bride… Steve and I met my last year of college.  We had tons of mutual friends but didn’t get around to being friends until he had already graduated.  We went on our first date soon after meeting, and from then on, we were pretty inseparable.  When Steve asked me to marry him in July 2011, there was no question of where we’d get married – Santa Barbara.  Being the planner that I am, I started reading Style Me Pretty religiously and putting together inspiration boards for our future wedding.

I am from Northern California, Steve is from Washington, and we live in LA, but Santa Barbara holds a special place in our heart.  Living in LA, it’s a place we like to visit at least once a year for so many reasons – the palm trees and Spanish architecture, the intimate feeling of a small city, the fact that you can go wine tasting and walk on the beach in the same day…oh and the perfect weather!  Since all guests but two had to travel into town, we wanted them to be able to make a vacation out of the trip.  Bacara is an amazing resort with multiple pools, ocean views, and tons of activities.  We were able to use the whole resort from the Rehearsal Dinner in the Spa Cafe, Welcome Reception on Ocean Terrance, and Newlywed Brunch on the Miro Lawn.  Our one goal for the weekend was to make sure our guests had an amazing time the whole weekend, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to get married at Bacara.

I always had a vision of what I wanted our wedding to look like – soft, pretty, and intimate.  We put this look together with TONS of chandeliers, candles, muted colors, mercury glass, and wood.  I think my favorite details of the day were the handmade wooden signage and 21 chandeliers that filled the beautiful tent we put up on the Ocean Lawn.  Tracy Lazaro also did a beautiful job with all the paper products and calligraphy. I think my favorite moments of the wedding were seeing our friends and family dance together…and the late night cigar bar and pizza were a nice touch!  It was a day full of love, friendship, and family, and it was better than we could have ever imagined.

Wedding Photography: Michael & Anna Costa / Wedding Venue: Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta, California / Wedding Planning + Design: Joy de Vivre Wedding Coordination / Floral Design: Modern Day Design / Officiant: Judge Thomas Adams / Wedding Cinematography: Rising Moon Films / Wedding Stationery + Calligraphy: Lazaro Press / Band: Stew & the Crew / DJ: Gavin Roy Presents, DJ Gavin Roy / Wedding Signage: Julie Song Ink / Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental / Lighting: Bella Vista Designs / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus / Cigars: Anthony Fiset of Wedding Cigar Rollers / Wedding Dress + Belt: Christos via Saks Fifth Avenue / Bride’s Shoes + Clutch: Jimmy Choo / Veil: BHLDN / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Tuxes: J.Crew

Bella Vista Designs, Inc, Julie Song Ink, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Lazaro Press & Design, Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd., Rising Moon Films and TEAM Hair and Makeup are members of our Little Black Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.
Amsale, BHLDN and J.Crew are members of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.