Adam and Karen met while they were both students at UC Santa Barbara. They spent six wonderful years together before their romantic Santa Barbara wedding. And trust me, they are simply made for each other! Both adore spending their free time traveling all around the world, sampling delicious culinary delights, and spending precious time in the wonders of nature with their furball Andy. Without further ado, let me show you how their winter wedding went at the luxurious The Ritz Carlton Bacara.
The couple got engaged in one of their favorite places: Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful and romantic moment they will treasure forever. After that, they started planning their winter wedding and hired me as their photographer. The organization is certainly their strong suit – they booked me in January 2021 for their Santa Barbara wedding at The Ritz Carlton Bacara in December 2022!
Their engagement session was held in two different locations: the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Elwood Bluffs in Goleta. Both places are special to them and have a lot of sentimental value, which was clearly evident in the pictures as they simply radiated.
Adam and Karen are incredibly lucky people! Primarily because they have each other in unconditional love. But they seem to find luck with all kinds of things! For example, the weather was not favorable on the wedding day. We were expecting a little bit of cold due to the time of the year, but we didn’t expect so much rain! However, the rain stopped exactly when we needed it for the first look, portraits, and bridal party photos. We had planned to go indoors for the family formalities to keep everyone warm, and the rain started pouring as soon as we stepped inside.
But thankfully, the Ritz Carlton Bacara has great backup locations in case of rain. We had to change the ceremony and reception locations, but it all turned out beautifully. The planner, Jill Remy, the venue coordinator Andrea Girardello, and the florist Haute Blossoms Floral did an amazing job adapting to the backup plan, and everything was just perfect. Despite the crazy weather, we were able to make the best of it and capture some beautiful photos!
Adam and Karen are the sweetest couple! They are both very calm and easygoing, which made my job as their photographer much easier. I couldn’t get enough of Karen’s dress from Bo Lee Bridal – a stunning long-sleeved gown with a rather dramatic feel, which I am a huge fan of!
I had so much fun at Adam and Karen’s wedding! There was a hora dance, which is a traditional Jewish dance, and the dance floor was packed all night. The band, called “The Class,” came all the way from Orange County, and they were amazing.
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience to be a part of Adam and Karen’s wedding at The Ritz Carlton Bacara. They are such a lovely couple, and I feel honored to have captured their love story. Follow me on Instagram (@sarahvgphotography) and inquire if you are looking for a professional and passionate photographer for your special day.
