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Intimate Wedding at Home in California, Live-Streamed to Guests

Posted in Wedding
Black bride and groom in Santa Barbara California sitting in pool rented from Air BnB holding a sign saying "Life is Good."

Kim + Spiro Get Married at a Home in Santa Barbara

Nobody expected a Covid-19 wedding…

I met Kim and Spiro two years ago and hired me to be their wedding photographer for their 2020 nuptials. The vision was to get married in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse with 40-50 of their closest friends and family in attendance. Afterward, we would take portraits around the grounds of the courthouse with a couple shots as they sped off in a pedi-cab. And then we would meet for cocktail hour and cake cutting at the gorgeous Belmond El Encanto.

And then Covid-19 happened…

As of March 19th, California entered a mandated Shelter-in-Place order. It was another 2+ months for their nuptials so there was hope that maybe life would return to normal and Kim and Spiro would still get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. As we got closer to the big day we realized that the original wedding was not going to happened as planned and there would have to be a major pivot to move forward. Though disappointed Kim and Spiro kicked planning into high gear. They rented a beautiful house in Montecito and invited 6 guests. Jennie of Riviera Productions livestreamed the ceremony to their friends and family across the United States. Chef cooked a delicious dinner!

All the Details…

Just because plans changed and you’re having a smaller wedding than anticipated doesn’t mean that you can’t surround yourself with meaningful details. Kim created beautiful name cards made of amethyst for each guest, wanted to incorporate their love on Scrabble as well as commemorate the date with the local newspaper.

Photos of wedding rings spelling out the word Love Joy Together in Scrabble tiles
Tan burlap with the words Mrs and Mr written on each one
Wedding rings on vows with wedding date embossed on them
Wedding sitting on Santa Barbara Newspaper showcasing the date
Wedding rings displayed on succulent plant
I Do written on brides shoe wear. Me, too written on bottom of groom's shoes.

Ceremony + Livestreaming

Even though their original ~40 guests couldn’t make the celebration Kim and Spiro made sure that their loved ones could take part on their special day. Riviera Productions live-streamed the ceremony to over 70 friends and family!

Groom reading his vows during Santa Barbara Covid-19 wedding
Bride reading her vows during Santa Barbara Covid-19 wedding
Bride placing wedding ring on groom during her Santa Barbara Covid-19 wedding

Masks and social distancing during a Covid-19 wedding!

Wedding group wearing masks during Santa Barbara Covid-19 wedding

Post-Ceremony

The house rental was gorgeous and was a perfect location for portraits afterwards, cake cutting and dinner!

Bride and groom wearing masks at their Santa Barbara Covid-19 wedding

Amazing Vendors…

Officiant: Rev. Michelle Lawyer
Video: Jennie Reinish Riviera Productions
Floral Design: Julia with Poppy Pod
Cake: Crushcakes
Hair + Makeup: Luna Bella
Catering: Chef Mattias Bloom of Santa Barbara Private Chef