We love a good Michael + Anna Costa wedding for so many reasons. But the two that stand out time and again are 1) They’re always filled with the loveliest light and 2) They endlessly pack a good dose of California flavor. Now add the design and styling of Joy de Vivre + Florette Designs and the always beautiful backdrop of Sunstone Winery and I promise you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Have a look at the full wedding right here.

 

From the Bride…We wanted our wedding to be a casual but elegant weekend where our guests were well taken care of.  With many friends traveling from out of state, and the groom’s family flying in from Wisconsin we wanted to host everyone for a weekend of celebrating and have time to enjoy every minute possible with our guests.  We chose Santa Ynez wine country because it is a place special to us and a place we wanted to share with our friends and family.  Sunstone Winery is a beautiful family owned winery that we felt combined all the elements we wanted to make for an intimate and relaxed wedding.

We tried to incorporate traditional touches with a modern twist throughout all the planning.  I worked closely with Melissa Copeland of franny bee designs who designed our Invitations and most of the day of details including the programs, placecards and menus.  We also wanted to mix in fun handmade touches throughout the ceremony and reception to compliment Melissa’s work.  Luckily, I had some pretty awesome bridesmaids who helped handwrite table numbers, stuff gift bags and make signs.  Our florist, Kelly Kaufman, brought the vision to life with her gorgeous arrangements and beautiful tablescapes filled with lanterns and candles.  

The groom is a writer and my father is a judge, so my hubby worked with my dad to write the entire ceremony from scratch with lots of personal touches and special meaning for us.  My dad officiated the ceremony and we wrote our own vows which made for an amazing and intimate ceremony.  The groom’s sister read the lyrics to Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” as our reading, and the bride’s grandparents read the traditional Irish Blessing.  Music is important to us and, so the groom worked with a traditional string quartet to develop a music program full of re-imagined rock ‘n roll songs and unexpected music choices for our ceremony.  

We wanted our reception to feel more like a dinner party.  We served cocktails in a candlelit wine cave and then escorted our guests outside for a family style dinner under the stars.  A touching bridesmaid toast, was followed by one of the best groomsmen speeches I’ve ever heard, and a heartwarming tribute from my father.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We ended the emotional celebration dancing the night away under a full moon.  My only regret is that the night couldn’t last longer……

Photographer: Michael + Anna Costa Photography | Design + Planning: Joy de Vivre | Floral Design: Florette Designs | Venue: Sunstone Winery | Catering: Duo Events | Rentals: Town and Country | Cinematography: Amari Productions | Officiant: Father of Bride | DJ: Gavin Roy Presents | Ceremony Music: Aurora Ensemble | Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes | Transportation: Santa Barbara Airbus | Limo: Limo Link | Linens: La Tavola | Invitations + Stationary Details: franny bee designs | Hair & Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale | Grooms Suit + Tie: Theory | Groomsmen Suits + Ties: Kenneth Cole

La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, TEAM Hair and Makeup, Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd. and Sunstone Winery & Villa are members of our Little Black Book, Love what you see? Take a look at their portfolios.

La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Michael & Anna Costa Photographers Ltd.

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Sunstone Winery & Villa

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Swapping vows amongst the beauty of Belgium sounds like the perfect plan in my book. And that, my dears, is precisely what these New Yorkers did. With Stoffer Photography by their side, they managed to pull off one of the dreamiest “I dos” EVER (did I mention the ceremony was held at a 10th century castle??) It’s woodland whimsy meets European charm, and it’s all waiting right here.

 

From Stoffer Photography….Jordan and Chloe are two beautiful New York souls that invited us to document their wedding in Bouillon, Belgium. Chloe’s sweet Belgian relatives invited us all to stay in family owned bed and breakfasts nestled at the foot of the hill where the tenth century castle topped and the ceremony was held. We then drove to a breathtaking lake property where we celebrated. Simple, handmade florals that were picked during the week covered the tables and local Belgian beers were served. While every detail was perfect, it was the intimate and selfless love that the family and friends displayed throughout the week that was most beautiful to see.

Photography: Stoffer Photography | Floral Design + Decor: Samantha Sleeper | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Château de Bouillon | Hair: Mikaela Blumberg, friend of bride | Music: Colin Killalea + Robby Sinclair (of Yost) | Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Groomsmen Suits: Theory | Jewelry: Made by the Bride | Shoes: Badgley Mischka

I kind of wish every day could be like Wedding Wednesday. A day packed with nuptials from morning til night. But since this occasion only comes around once a week, we must pull out all the stops to celebrate, right? So kick up those heels and pop the bubbly (it’s five o’clock somewhere!) because it’s time to swoon this mountainside beauty from Jacquelynn Brynn Photography. Let’s keep the #WW party going right here.

 

From Jacquelynn Brynn Photography…Brittani designed a sophisticated backyard DIY wedding that would make Martha weep!  Brittani is full of sweet thoughtful spunk.  We share some things in common like a gluten allergy, and not only did she remember that about me, but she even served me up some wonderful family style watermelon salad.  Thoughtfulness was a reoccurring theme for both of them.  From the way they cared and laughed together, to the smallest of details in unexpected places. The wedding had picturesque details like reclaimed wooden doorway to their white tent, vintage window pane entry to the ceremony.  Seattle Skillet Street food made the trip over the mountains to serve up a family style dinner dressed in cute rustic flannel shirts with bow ties.  A huge chalk board background for the reception with morning after brunch details, personalized thank you and menu.  They created poster sized invitations that they mailed to their guests.

Photography: Jacquelynn Brynn Photography |  Ceremony + Recepetion Venue: Family Backyard | Wedding Flowers: Bloomers | DJ: Kenaston Music Productions | Catering: Skillet Street Food