
Weddings
Sarah & Michael | Carpinteria Foothill Ranch Wedding
Sarah and Michael were married on a private avocado ranch high in the foothills above Carpinteria, near Toro Canyon. The ranch has views across the valley to the ocean, and the whole day wove in Jewish tradition and a few surprises.
The Rehearsal
The weekend started with a ceremony rehearsal on the property, then the bridal party headed down to Oliver's in Montecito for dinner under the string lights.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Getting Ready on the Ranch
Sarah, her bridesmaids and the moms got ready in the house on the property, with hair by La Rouge Salon and makeup by 805 Make Up. The guys carpooled up the hill with lunch for everyone.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
A First Look, and a Fake One
Before his real first look, Michael's buddy pulled a surprise first look of his own. Nobody had told Michael. Then came the real one. We did Sarah's bridal portraits and group photos on the lawn while guests rode shuttles up the hill to popcorn, beer and wine.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Ketubah, Chuppah and Yichud
At 5:30 Sarah and Michael signed their ketubah with their parents and Rabbi Evan Goodman of UCSB Hillel. At six they walked down the aisle with their parents and married under the chuppah, with the foothills rolling out behind them. Afterward they slipped into the house for yichud, a few minutes alone together.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Sunset, Toasts and a Horah
They joined cocktail hour and went straight into a first dance to SNBRN's "James Brown." After the buffet from Pure Joy Catering, we snuck away for fifteen minutes of sunset portraits on the ridge. Back at the party came toasts from Sarah's dad, the maid of honor and the best man, then parent dances and a horah with both of them up in the chairs.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
The Buried Bourbon
At 8:30 the coordinators walked Sarah and Michael over to a patch of ground where a bottle of bourbon had been buried before the wedding. They dug it up, and Sarah's dad led a bourbon toast for everyone. Then came desserts and coffee, and a final hour of dancing with a guest DJ before the last shuttles headed down the hill.
Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co. Sarah & Michael's Carpinteria Avocado Orchard Wedding | Lovelace Photo Co.
Planning a Foothill Ranch Wedding
Private ranches above Carpinteria and Montecito have huge views and incredible late light, but they take real logistics: shuttles, vendor parking and spotty cell service. A coordinator who's done it before makes all the difference. Check my availability.





















































































































































































































