Santa Barbara California Wedding Film Photographer

A nostalgic, classic, Nancy Myers movie inspired wedding in Los Olivos California at Zaca Mesa Winery.

Congratulations to The Worleys! Erin and Sam met in college in LA, Erin was studying abroad in Paris, and when she was home in California they met on campus through mutual friends. Sam was immediately enamored, referring to her as the “French Girl” to all of his friends. Truly love at first sight. His friends all say they knew it was meant to be from that moment on. Sam proposed on their 7th anniversary. They got married in a vineyard in California on a sunny July day, surrounded by their family and friends, great wine, and a perfect soundtrack.

They got ready at The Landsby Hotel in Solvang CA, it was so hot out that they had their first look in the (air conditioned) hotel bar. Their nerves immediately melted when Erin tapped Sam on his shoulder. THIS is why we always advocate for a first look - it truly calms your nerves so you can enjoy fully enjoy your day. This also gave us some time for formal portraits in the courtyard and fun photos in the bar.

They took a custom school bus adorned on the side with their slogan of the weekend “WINE WITH THE WORLEYS”, from The Landsby to Zaca Mesa Winery. Zaca Mesa Winery is a chic and elegant vineyard less than an hour north of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by rolling hills, vines as far as you can see, it’s magic.

Erin wore a timeless sweetheart mermaid Pronovias dress, Sam wore a Loro Piana suit. Erin’s bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses - a perfect combination of delicate florals and silks. Sam’s groomsmen wore navy suits with yellow pocket squares and custom tie pins.

Erin and Sam were married in the heart of the vineyard, surrounded by family and friends holding paper parasols and paper fans and sipping housemade oranginas and arnold palmers to keep cool in the summer heat. Erin walked down the aisle to Il Mondo by Jimmy Fontana, they read each others vows (cue us crying behind our cameras), and for their recessional they walked back up the aisle to Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith.

Zaca Mesa Wedding - Santa Barbara California Wedding Film Photographer

Immediately post ceremony they tucked away to the shade for formal photos. Erin donned her veil for these photos - we always say, if you are on the fence about your veil, or it is a windy day, use it for some moments in your day, but don’t feel tied to having it on all day. Guests sipped on rosé, white wine, and red while soaking up the sun on the Terrace and lounging in the shade of the mid century modern Lounge.

Erin described the reception as her “dream Nancy Myers movie dinner party”. Under the Oak Tree lined with bistro lights, the tables were adorned with citrus, lavender colored blooms, and linens.

Erin and Sam entered the reception to Golden Years by David Bowie and shared their first dance to Baby I’m Yours by the Arctic Monkeys. Wine was flowing, the speeches were sweet, and the food was incredible.

We snuck away from the ceremony for sunset portraits with Erin and Sam. We love sunset portraits, as they are sometimes the only quiet moment you get on your wedding day! It is so important to create these reflective moments to soak it all up during the whirlwind of your wedding day. We wandered through the vineyards, tucked into the rows, and climbed the hill (blissfully ignoring the rattlesnake warning signs) with the most epic view. They shared a dance at the top and it couldn’t have been more magic.

We headed back to the reception and headed inside to View Room - the MOST stunning room for a reception. Tall white walls, a white ceiling with beautiful industrial chandeliers, and giant glass doors. Erin had her dance with her father to Harvest Moon by Neil Young - their favorite record to play when she was a child. Sam and his mother shared their dance to I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song by Jim Croce - and let us tell you they had great dance moves! Erin and Sam and their family and friends danced the night away to the -best- soundtrack: think The Parent Trap meets Almost Famous. They cut their cake to You Send Me by Aretha Franklin and served their guest chocolate chip cookies with Santa Barbara sea salt, and chamomile berry tarts.