Lively Blush Wedding Sprinkled with Holiday Elements

From Alexis Ireland Florals:

Tessa and Blake met through mutual friends while attending a small liberal arts college in sunny Santa Barbara, CA. These two have a realness and maturity about them that made their relationship relaxed yet resilient. Their friends describe them as some of the easiest people to be around as a couple. After dating for a few years post-graduation, Tessa and Blake knew they wanted a future together!

Their wedding served as a college reunion with friends as well as a beautiful celebration with family coming from all over the West Coast. Tessa's cool-weathered and forest green pacific northwest roots played a role in the decision to get married in December, while Blake's native Californian style came through in the design elements. Since Santa Barbara stays warm and mild year round, the couple toyed with the idea of keeping things neutral with whites linens and blush florals, but as they walked through the wedding planning process, they soon realized they wanted to incorporate unique elements of the holiday season throughout the venue.

Special items included a hand-made reindeer Mr. & Mrs. sign on the head table, and little bells on each guests' plate to ring throughout the evening, encouraging the bride and groom to kiss during the reception. Their venue came to life with crimson linens, a surplus of candles, and holiday foliage including pine, cotton, and winter berries. The holiday accents paired nicely against a warm yet crisp December evening with palm trees in the background. The wedding ended up showcasing a classic Santa Barbara wedding - not too overdone, yet still finding a way to incorporate the nostalgia of the holiday season for their guests.

Photographer: Hannah Rose Gray | Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum | Florals: Alexis Ireland Florals | Hair & Makeup: Carlyle Salon | Caterer: DJ’s California Catering | Reception Music: DJ Solstice