A timeless setting, a radiant couple, and a weekend wrapped in style and heart — Presley and Matt’s wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara was everything a coastal celebration should be. The ceremony took place above the shoreline, the reception sparkled under a canopy of lights, and every detail felt personal yet elevated. Bridal look, created by Nicole Samara Iyer, captured that same energy: timeless, fresh, and radiant from the very first frame.
Location: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Style: Classic, Elegant, Romantic
Time of planning: 14 month
Number of guests: 125
Setting: Resort
Season: Winter
Presley and Matt met at work in 2017, though sparks didn’t fly until two years later, when he invited her—out of the blue—to a Mumford and Sons concert. What she thought was just another work-adjacent night out quickly became the beginning of something much bigger. A few more dates followed that same week, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Matt proposed at The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, under the Southern California sky, with a surprise appearance from both their moms. The wedding, held just a short drive north along the coast, felt like a full-circle moment—equal parts meaningful and magical.
Fashion
Presley’s fashion choices set the tone for the day: timeless, but with thoughtful edge. Choosing the dress wasn’t easy—she tried on nearly 67 gowns before finding the one. She wore a sculptural strapless gown by Wona Beverly Hills with a structured bodice and dramatic pleats that created soft volume as she moved.
"My tailor, Efi, was beyond amazing and made the dress fit like a glove!"
For the evening, she changed into a satin dress by Galia Lahav with an asymmetrical neckline and a thigh-high slit—modern, elegant, and made for dancing. Her heels, embellished with pearls, echoed the delicate curves of her earrings and added just enough texture to the look.
The bridesmaids wore muted sage satin gowns in varying styles, adding softness and cohesion to the wedding party. “I decided to make each bridesmaid bouquet a different type of floral/color, something I had never seen before. When our florist Mishann Floristics brought our bouquets that morning, I gasped — I was SO over the moon with how they looked,” shared the bride.
Matt complemented the palette with a sharp tuxedo jacket, black pants, and a classic bow tie—a look that was crisp, formal, and effortlessly polished. He worked with Franc Milton in Los Angeles to create two custom looks from scratch. The ceremony tux, inspired by Ryan Gosling at the Golden Globes, was a stunning ivory color paired with Christian Louboutin loafers and a Cartier timepiece.
For the afterparty, he changed into a deep green velvet dinner jacket, complete with a personalized silk lining and his initials embroidered behind the collar.
Makeup Look
Presley’s bridal beauty was one of those rare combinations: fresh, refined, and expressive. Samara Beauty created a look that felt perfectly in sync with the soft coastal light and elegant styling of the day. Her glowing complexion had a natural radiance, with a soft blush and subtle contour enhancing her features without ever overpowering them.
Her eyes were defined but not heavy, framed with soft tones and lush lashes that emphasized her gaze in both daylight and candlelight. Lips were kept in a warm, peachy rose hue—something classic, but with a modern freshness. The overall effect was polished, camera-ready, and completely timeless, working seamlessly from the first look to the last dance. It’s a perfect example of bridal glam done right: tailored to the bride, in harmony with the setting, and beautifully executed.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on the lawn overlooking the ocean, with a floral altar of soft blush, ivory, and pale lavender blooms that looked like they were growing organically out of the grass. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect: 75 degrees and crystal clear. Presley and Matt had decided to forgo a first look, making their first glimpse of each other at the altar even more meaningful.
The couple made several heartfelt decisions that gave the ceremony a deeper layer of meaning. Presley and Matt chose to have their bridal party seated rather than standing by their sides, allowing for a more focused and intimate setting. The seating arrangement was flipped so Presley’s family could face her, and Matt’s could face him—a detail guests found especially touching. Presley’s mom walking her down the aisle was one of the bride’s most cherished memories, while Matt carried a photo of his late father and his mother, who couldn’t attend, sewn into his tux jacket.
And one of the most memorable parts? Their dog, Cleo, dressed in greenery and soft blooms, who joined them for portraits and quietly sat through the ceremony—a sweet touch that added warmth and personality. Guests later told them it was the most moving, personal wedding they’d ever witnessed.
"Our ceremony was absolutely perfect! Getting to officially become husband and wife in front of all of our loved ones was something we will cherish forever!"
Cocktail Hour
While Presley and Matt skipped cocktail hour to soak in a private moment, the vibe was unmistakably SoCal—sunset views, fresh ocean air, and guests mingling under umbrellas with signature drinks in hand. “The Yamashiro,” a spicy skinny margarita, and “The Mumford,” a non-alcoholic cucumber-lime spritz, brought personality to the bar, while live musicians from The Lucky Devils Band created an elevated, celebratory atmosphere.
These signature cocktails and handwritten notes on vinyl records added a sense of personality without ever feeling staged.
Private Moment
As golden hour settled in, the couple slipped away for photos along the coastal path. Framed by tall grasses and a setting sun, they embraced, kissed, and took a breath together. Captured beautifully by photographer Zoe Whitman, these images, quiet and full of tenderness, became some of the most powerful from the day.
It wasn’t about posing—it was about presence. The soft ocean light, the satin folds of Presley’s dress, and the way Matt held her hand told the full story.
Decor & Reception
The dinner space was designed with intimacy and impact in mind by planner Tiffany Ott of Events by Tiffany J, who helped bring Presley’s vision to life with a light touch and expert eye. A canopy of string lights cast a warm glow over the tables, which were dressed in soft linens and florals by Anna of Mishann Floristics that echoed the ceremony palette. Pink garden roses, white ranunculus, and baby’s breath spilled across the sweetheart table, creating a romantic focal point.
Every detail, from the sage green napkins to the clean, minimalist stationery, felt intentional, polished, and in tune with the couple’s vision. “We are very into the vintage, Spanish style decor and architecture that surrounds Southern California so that was a huge inspiration,” shared the couple.
As guests sat down to dinner, toasts brought laughter and a few tears, and the mood turned celebratory with the couple’s first dance beneath the lights. “My mom, his two sisters, my Maid of Honor and his Best Man all gave incredible toasts – there wasn’t a dry eye,” recalled the bride.
Later, Presley and Matt cut their classic cake with playful energy. As the evening transitioned into celebration, Presley let her hair down, embracing a softer, more relaxed look. Her makeup by Samara stayed fresh and glowing through every laugh, toast, and dance—quietly flawless until the very end.
The night rolled into a high-energy party inside, where Matt hit the dance floor with full enthusiasm, surrounded by friends and family. It was a true shift from quiet elegance to joyful celebration and the balance between the two is what made this wedding so special.
Advice from the couple:
• I would say, have fun!!!! At the end of the day, this is about you two. It can be an extremely overwhelming, expensive, and stressful experience at times. Remember what it’s all about and don’t stress over little things.
• Stay present and enjoy the people around you and your future bride or groom to be.
• And a hot take, but be a little selfish. If you’re like us and go to every single special event for your loved ones, now is your time to shine!! The people who care for you will show up and be supportive when it’s your day, just as you have done for them.
MUAH Nicole Iyer, Samara Beauty | VENUE The Ritz-Carlton Bacara | PHOTOGRAPHER Zoe Whitman | VIDEOGRAPHER Jacob Gomez | PLANNER Tiffany Ott, Events by Tiffany J | FLORIST Anna, Mishann Floristics | ENTERTAINMENT The Lucky Devils Band | PHOTO BOOTH Mir Mir | LINEN Dreams American Linen | SOUND & LIGHTING Five Star Audio & Visual
