Location: Santa Barbara, California, USA
Setting: Farm
Season: Summer
How long did the couple plan the event: 9 months
Number of guests: 120
Wedding theme/style: Elevated, coastal, ranch.
Chris and Reily first met while working at the same company, when he visited Reily’s office in California just as she was planning to move to his hometown in Austin. After instantly connecting, they spent a memorable week together in Santa Monica, which they both felt was destined. Chris proposed to Reily on a mountaintop in Maui, the same location where his parents had renewed their vows. “Once at the top overlooking the bay, I knew that is was the moment that I will never forget,” Reily shared.
The couple wanted to find a venue that truly brought out the best of them both without being over the top: “We always knew that our wedding had to encompass our upbringings, him being from Texas and I from California.” Reily explained.
They selected Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm as their wedding venue, which is framed by the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains that stretching toward the Pacific coast.
“Reily embodies the Golden State — a unique natural beauty, complex and diverse with subtle gravitas. As a Texan, I believe in authenticity as a core value and I am very proud of Texas’ heritage and history. Combine the two and you get Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm.” Chris added.
“When I met with Riley and Chris for the first time, they made it clear that they really wanted to keep the intention of the day about the celebration of their love but also the celebration of their families coming together,” recalled Erika from Array Creative Design. That is why they planned a whole weekend of wedding festivities, including a welcome dinner, to ensure they could spend plenty of time with their loved ones.
On the wedding day, the bride and groom got ready at an estate on the hill above the venue, with views of the ocean and the Goleta mountainside.
For the wedding looks, they both went for understated California elegance. Reily chose simple hair and makeup to accompany a thick linen gown with poofy removable sleeves to add a little flare. The veil added an old Santa Barbara Spanish-style feel to the dress. Chris went with a classic tuxedo to keep the theme of old California formality.
Riley specifically picked out different colors for each of her bridesmaids’ dresses. She was very nervous about how it would turn out because she had never seen it before. Somehow, the dresses complimented each other perfectly while each girl felt unique and stunning in their own unique way.
The wedding ceremony was held outdoors, allowing guests to enjoy sweeping coastal views. The setting was decorated with wildflowers and wooden chairs that lined an aisle against the backdrop of the ocean.
Guests arrived by bus and were greeted with glasses of champagne, setting a festive and welcoming tone for the day. As the ceremony unfolded, Chris and Reily exchanged rings in the presence of friends and family under the sunny Californian sky.
After their wedding ceremony, Chris and Reily enjoyed a serene walk along the coastline to savor the moment. Reily’s veil gracefully caught the wind, creating a picturesque scene beautifully captured by their photographer.
Shortly after their coastal walk, the newlyweds and all guests arrived at the farm to begin the cocktail hour.
Dos Pueblos was historically one of the largest live orchid farms, known for its exotic varieties of orchids sourced from various continents. Although orchids are no longer cultivated there, the farm retains its old charm. The legacy of its lush past endures through the elegant glass conservatories and the enduring craftsmanship displayed throughout the property.
Riley and Chris chose native California flowers for their wedding to showcase the unique charm of the California coastline during summer. ‘When designing the space, we aimed for a natural and effortless feel, yet wanted to elevate the natural beauty of the setting,’ said Erika from Array Creative Design. She incorporated natural wildflower tones and citruses in the floral arrangements and complemented them with coastal rattan textiles in the furniture.
The reception took place in a stunning glass conservatory with a delicate string lights that cast a warm glow. The atmosphere was filled with joy as Chris and Reily shared their first dance, surrounded by the cheers of family and friends.
Chris and Reily chose a vintage tan Mercedes for their drive up to a scenic overlook, where they exchanged vows in a beautifully intimate setting. As the sun set, they shared a serene, cinematic moment, watching the day fade into evening.
As Chris and Reily returned, the venue transformed into a fairytale scene, illuminated by twinkling lights that cast a magical glow over the evening. The dinner featured a family-style meal and freshly baked pizza. The area buzzed with the energy of a live band and DJ, blending classic tunes with funky beats, inviting all guests to dance all night.
“Without Array Creative Design I don’t think Chris and I would have been able to pull off our dream wedding,” concluded the bride.
Advice from the couple:
• If you have a good planner, everything will be seamless. Get a wedding planner who understands your style, and everything will come together.
• Spend your wedding day with your partner. Chris and I spent the welcome party mingling with guests but the wedding felt very intimate because of our outlook on spending time with each other. It made it easy to focus on what was most important, and take in all the moments of our special day!
PLANNING & DESIGN Array Creative Design | VENUE Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm | PHOTOGRAPHER Ali Beck Photography | FLORALS Breanna Jane Botanicals | MUAH Blushing Beauty | DRESS Sarah Seven | CAKE Frances Baking | CATERING Lucca Truck | BAR Simply Cocktails | RENTALS Bright Event Rentals, Bella Vista Designs. Found Event Rentals, Theoni Collection, Elan Event Rentals | MUSIC DART Collective | TRANSPORTATION Jump On The School Bus
