The day started with the girls getting ready at El Encanto and Jess walked into a room filled with laughter, beautiful bridesmaids and champagne! It was a perfect morning! When Kara put her dress on the girls gasped with joy! She looked absolutely stunning! And then, as if she couldn’t get any prettier she put on her grandmother’s necklace. This isn’t just any necklace, she asked her grandma many years ago to save her diamond necklace for her to wear on her wedding day. Her grandma saved it for her and was there to watch her granddaughter’s dream come true of marrying the man she loved in her grandma’s necklace. Just wait till you see how beautiful it looks on the bride!!

Mark and Kara met in the most classic way, mutual friends. They have been together for seven years and always love to make each other laugh! Over the years, there are certain things that have been a part of the special times of their relationship. One of the main ones is ladybugs. At one point in their relationship when Mark was getting ready to move, Kara prayed and asked God for a sign about their future together. Long distance relationships are difficult and she wanted to make sure he was the one if they were going to continue dating long distance. Shortly after she prayed for a sign, they were on a hike together, and Kara noticed a red log in the distance. She thought maybe it was a fire log from the recent fires, but as they got closer she realized it was a giant log covered in ladybugs! They shared a special moment there, and she knew that was the sign she had been praying for!

Years later when it came time for Mark to propose, he had the perfect plan! (Gentlemen take notes, because this guy is a genius!) Mark knew how special the ladybug area was to Kara, so he lead her on a hike a few days before Christmas and then stopped at the log. Kara was so excited he remembered, but here’s our favorite part of the story. Mark said, “let’s play a game where we each take turns saying what we love most about the other person.” They went back and forth exclaiming their favorite things, and affirming each other for over FORTY-FIVE MINUTES! Such an incredible way to love and encourage your significant other! And then after 45 minutes, he got down on one knee and proposed!! Such a dreamy proposal, and we love the way these two love each other!

They planned an amazing wedding, and just wait till you see their color palette! The bridesmaids wore beautiful mint dresses from ShowMeYourMumu and we loved how the florals perfectly complimented the dresses as well as the bride’s Monique Lhuillier gown! And the groomsmen wore tuxes by Vera Wang, so classy!  This couple’s details were on point! We loved seeing the way they had their bridal party stand during the ceremony so they could experience the ceremony with them. After the ceremony we headed to El Paseo and for cocktail hour the guests walked through the El Paseo courtyard and were greeted by margaritas and sangria, which was the perfect way to celebrate! We took photos of the bridal party in the incredible walkway that we had dreamed of photographing a bridal party, and then we got to take some of our favorite portraits ever of just the bride and groom in the walkway as well! It was a beautiful night of celebration and we’re so excited to share it with you!

Getting Ready Location: Belmond El Encanto
Ceremony: Montecito Covenant
Officient: Jon Ireland
Reception: El Paseo
DJ: Patrick Butler
Hair: Krysta Withrow
Makeup: Pretty Please Beauty
Bride’s Dress: Monique LHuillier
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Groom’s Tux: Vera Wang
Florals: Hogue & Co
Bridesmaids Dresses: ShowMeYourMumu
Photography: James & Jess