You can spot a Club Amore project instantly, chic on the surface, but always plotting something extra underneath. Planned and designed by Jill & Ash, this editorial unfolds like a night with a dress code and an agenda, set in a place long known as a retreat for Hollywood’s elite. In the early 1900s, more than fifteen film studios traveled north to Montecito to film silent movies in its grand estates, and that legacy quietly shapes the mood here. The opening of the shoot leans into old-world glamour before operatic touches take over with velvet backdrops, and as the night unfolds, the styling drifts into confident, playful burlesque.
“That history shaped our vision: the glamour of early cinema, the romance of old Hollywood, and the refined social life that once defined this coastal enclave.”
Pre-Show Vibes
The groom set the tone in a white dinner jacket paired with a sharp black bow tie. It was a clear nod to classic black tie but softened with an effortless, almost Italian summer attitude: polished without feeling stiff, very private-club.
The bridal look centered on a gown by TaylarMade Dresses, designed for movement, drama, and full editorial impact. The strapless silhouette with a sculptural corset line, long veil, and lace gloves creates a perfect balance between bridal heritage and fashion-forward storytelling. One of the coolest styling details was the skirt being tucked into itself, creating a balloon-hem.
Stage Reveal
The ceremony was set right on the lawn, surrounded by manicured hedges and clean garden lines. The rows of white wrought-iron chairs instantly gave the space a refined, estate-coded feel. The palette leaned into rich greens, soft ivory, and crisp whites, letting texture do the heavy lifting. Barefoot, the bride broke the formality in the best way, expensive, effortless, and very much not interested in being overly serious.
“The biggest challenge was the weather — it poured rain for most of the day,” says Jill. “We waited, hoping for a break, and at 3:30 PM the skies cleared, revealing soft, luminous light and vibrant gardens. It became the most beautiful, cinematic moment, exactly what the shoot needed. The rain ended up giving the estate a moody atmosphere that elevated the entire narrative.”
The velvet curtain became the ceremony’s defining moment, draped in a deep chocolate tone. It was styled to look intentionally frozen mid–stage reveal, as if the scene had been paused at the exact second the performance began.
Slow Moments
The post-ceremony walk slowed everything down in the best way. Set within the deep gardens of the Music Academy of the West, the mood shifted into full stillness, layered greens, and that California estate calm. Historic facades, and long garden paths created a clean, almost meditative backdrop that felt intentional.
One of the most iconic moments unfolded by the pond, where the stationery by Honeylust Co. was photographed floating effortlessly above the water, koi drifting beneath like a moving art layer. That pond added a meditative, almost pause-button energy to the walk. Captured through the lens of Sierra Dawn Photo, the entire sequence reads serene without ever feeling static.
When golden hour rolled in, the architecture stepped back into the spotlight. Stone walls, arches, and garden edges framed the couple like built-in sets, polished but never stiff. And even in all that calm, the energy never turned serious, playful poses, casual movements, and slightly offbeat body language kept things light.
Members Only Dinner
The reception unfolded inside an intimate, wood-paneled room that immediately set the tone of a private members’ club. The palette nodded to old cinema and classic painting, rich dark backdrops, warm highlights, and that kind of “lamp-lit” darkness you’d expect in a collector’s lounge.
Set within a historic Montecito estate now home to the academy, the architecture and grounds quietly informed the reception’s direction. “The venue provided the perfect backdrop,” says Jill, referencing its layered past, first built in 1908, rebuilt in Mediterranean style, later refined through Spanish Revival architecture. That mix of European structure and California ease grounded the evening in something timeless rather than decorative.
The tablescape continued the story through restraint and texture. Florals stayed classic and garden-driven, peonies, roses, and sweet peas arranged in soft meadow compositions that sat naturally within the space. Vintage elements from Jill’s own collection, pewter trays, floral vessels, heirloom jewelry, beaded handbags, silks, and pearls, introduced a layered, collected sensibility. Sculptural candles added height, and a deep burgundy curtain moment anchored the room with richness.
Cigarettes After Wed
The afterparty leaned fully into a different mood. The bride switched into a corseted, lingerie-inspired, edgy look. Cigarettes, trays, ashtrays, matches, all styled deliberately as visual cues, not statements, pulling straight from old Hollywood, French and Italian cinema, and classic supper-club culture.
“As always, Ashley and I worked seamlessly together, complementing and heightening each other’s creative instincts,” says Jill. “The final result felt like stepping back into Montecito some eighty years ago, a blend of history and old-world California charm that came together effortlessly.”
PLANNER & DESIGN Club Amore Weddings | PHOTOGRAPHER Sierra Dawn Photo | VENUE Music Academy of the West | FLORALS Thistle Oak Floral Co. | HAIR & MAKEUP Santa Barbara Hair and Makeup | GOWN TaylarMade Dresses | JEWELER Ever the Jeweler | STATIONERY Honeylust Co. | RENTALS Bright Event Rentals, Amigo Event Rentals, Town & Country Event Rentals | CAKE Cakes by Heather Ashley | HOMEWARE Zara Home | CATERING La Dolce Vita Catering | BAR Till Death Do Us Party | MODELS Sydney Alvarez, Mikey Alvarez
