Although Beth and Richie both attended Westmont College (a school with only a little over 1000 people), they didn’t actually meet until two years after graduating when they both happened to go to a Santa Barbara taproom called Lama Dog in the Funk Zone with their friends. They both thought the other person was super cute, and it was that night while hanging out with mutual friends that they actually started talking!

Fast forward to their wedding day, we were SO excited for Beth and Richie because we absolutely love them as a couple. It is obvious that they have both found the person of their dreams! Our favorite thing about Beth & Richie is how thoughtful they are, and we love how they make each other laugh. They have truly found their person.

Beth and Richie’s wedding took place at the Sandpiper Golf Course which is absolutely STUNNING. The venue overlooks the ocean and is one of James’ favorite golf courses in Santa Barbara! While everyone was getting ready and Beth and Richie were preparing for the first look, Jess asked Beth if she thought that Richie was going to cry when he saw her. She said she wasn’t sure if he was going to cry, because she had only seen him cry ONCE before and that was at the proposal. As Richie waited in the shade behind a tree on the golf course for Beth to come to him, Jess asked him how he was doing and he said “I’m already getting emotional.” It was at that moment we knew he was going to cry, and our eyes started to well up with tears a little bit too! Just as we thought, when she tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around and saw his bride he cried and cried! Beth was so happy she just started laughing and crying along with him! It was such a special moment to witness and capture!

They had a beautiful ceremony on the bluffs above the ocean. During the ceremony the officiant said, “Marriage is not about the wedding and your wedding should not be the happiest day of your life. It is a very happy day, but if it was the happiest day of your life that would mean it’s all downhill from now. But it’s not downhill from now, it gets better and better. Make no mistake that there will be tough days, marriage will be the test of your character and vows, but let your bond in marriage be your unconditional and undying love for each other.”

Beth and Richie decided to write their own vows and it was so sweet to see what they each came up with. Richie started things off by saying, “I promise to treat you like the queen you are” and then he started crying!!! As the tears kept coming he joked “I can’t even make it through two sentences without crying!” Then as he went on, in a true show of commitment and love, he (being a HUGE Buffalo Bills fan) told her, “If the bills never won a game again but you were with me, I’d be the happiest man alive.” How awesome is that?! Such a hilarious and precious addition to the ceremony.

After the ceremony, everybody transitioned to cocktail hour which was filled with fun lawn games, a large jenga, connect four, and corn hole. It was such a fun way to keep guests entertained! For the reception, guests were seated for dinner al fresco overlooking the ocean. The meal was delicious and they even had a doughnut bar for dessert! There was an amazing sunset as their closest friends gave beautiful speeches, and danced the night away!

As the night came to a close, everybody gathered to send Beth and Richie off in a balloon exit. It was the first time we had seen something like that and we loved it! Such a great alternative to sparklers! Overall, it was an incredible day and Beth and Richie were so easy to celebrate!

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