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Ashley & Grant: Belmond El Encanto Santa Barbara Wedding

When classic romance meets clever, nerdy references, my geeky little heart skips a beat - so of course Ashley and Grant's wedding day had us all a-flutter! Belmond El Encando in Santa Barbara provided the ideal backdrop for a celebration full of soft, romantic beauty and lots of personal touches... including a few Doctor Who references! These two opened their hearts to us, and the experience was breathtaking.

Every word and moment of this day, every detail, spoke so much about this couple and what they admire and love about each other. It's exactly those days and that celebration that make me love love LOVE what we do, and the gift that film can bring for every love story.

Ashley and Grant, you love brilliantly. You share so much between each other that it spills out into the world and those around you, and like that Santa Barbara sunlight it illuminates so many beautiful things! Thank you for sharing your love story with us!

For more details from this beautiful day (and some great planning insight and tips!), check out the feature on Wedding Chicks!

Soundtrack licensed via MusicBed:
Nothing to Fear by Dexter Britain
Launch by Ryan Taubert

Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Planning & Coordination: Tealight Events
Photography: Allie Lindsey Photography
Flowers: These Buds A Blooming
Hair & Makeup: LunaBella Makeup & Hair
Bridal Party Gowns: Bella Bridesmaids
Venue: Belmond El Encanto
DJ: Red Shoe LA
Calligraphy & Paper: Coppia Creativa
Lighting Design: Bella Vista Designs

Kyle & Michael: Elopement at Mount Hamilton Observatory

One of the best reasons I'm proud to be a geek - to be honest and enthusiastic about my passions and obsessions - is that you meet the most wonderful people! You never know what friendships and adventures are in store when you bond over your fandom.

Kyle and Michael are two fantastic Whovians (translation: fans of the long-running BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who) in love. When they discovered our styled wedding shoot in honor of Doctor Who ("Through All of Time and Space") they were inspired to celebrate their shared fandom - and what better way than to run off and elope at a 100 year old observatory?!

With the help of Jen at First Pick Planning, Kyle and Michael planned this incredible surprise. They would exchange personal vows in a private and beautifully designed ceremony, officiated by a dear friend, and would keep it all a secret for months (!!!) in order to surprise friends and family at a big celebration in Georgia. Fortunately we were there to tell the story, and to help share this intimate, emotional, incredible adventure with everyone when the time was right.

I can't get over those vows, and the thought put into every detail of this beautiful day. It was a real treat to be a part of this romantic escape - a whole day dedicated solely to two people in love!

We offer special discounts for elopements like this. If you are planning your wedding ceremony with less than 20 guests and no reception, let us know! (Bonus if it's in a unique location like this!)

I also can't say enough about the fantastic team that pulled this event together. The staff at Lick Observatory is so fun and helpful while taking care of this incredible historic space, Jen at First Pick Planning made sure nothing was overlooked, and Candice Benjamin Photography documented the day with incredible photos!

Kyle and Michael, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your adventure, and to give you the best of both worlds - a private ceremony just for you two, and a chance to share your love, your vows, and your celebration with all your friends and family! It may not be quite as exciting as the TARDIS, but video is a pretty fantastic time machine!

Soundtrack licensed via MusicBed: "Climb" by Michael Rossback

Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Photography: Candice Benjamin Photography
Coordination: First Pick Planning
Venue: Lick Observatory

Candice & Jay: Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse Wedding

Today is a very special anniversary post celebrating one of our favorite destination weddings ever: the wedding of our great friends Candice and Jay! Yep, that is Candice of Candice Benjamin Photography - you've probably seen her photos from the many weddings we've documented together, and featured in our fusion films!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!

Candice and I met at a networking event, and became pretty much instant friends when someone brought up the TV series Firefly. Jay worked with Josh and was part of our theater "techie" family. They both became regulars at our weekly "Taco Night" (where we invented the quesa-taco and watched nerdy TV shows) and before we knew it, they were dating. No seriously, they literally hid the fact that they were dating just to see how long it would take us to ask. Punks.

At least they included us when marriage came up! Josh and I were on hand to secretly film Jay's proposal to Candice, and we got to be a part of the crew for their amazing destination wedding at the 200-year-old Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse, north of Santa Barbara. It was a full week of incredible scenery, great friends, crafty scheming, and one of the most memorable weddings we have ever been a part of. 

The ceremony was particularly personal, as it was officiated by our mutual friend and fellow Taco Night regular, "Reverend" Brett. (Don't you think he should do this for a living?)

The Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse is way off the beaten path, but worth the drive for its cozy accommodations and breathtaking views. It was an incredible setting for a wedding filled with creative handmade touches. I love how the wild and whimsical florals by Studio Ooh La La complemented the rustic charm of the farmhouse. Candice's experience as a wedding photographer definitely contributed to the gorgeous styling of this event!

I love the mix of rustic, wild, romantic, and geeky influences that were present throughout this day! Truly fitting for this awesome couple.

Candice and Jay, we love you... and we miss you since you decided to move to beautiful Colorado! I feel really, truly privileged to have seen your friendship blossom into romance as everyone realized just how perfect you are for each other. Thanks for sharing so many adventures with us - especially this one!

Soundtrack Licensed via The Music Bed
"The Rest of My Life" by Holley Maher
"Two" by Analog Heart

Coordinator: Jen Bergmark, First Pick Planning
Venue: Figueroa Mountain Farmhouse
Cinematographer: The Adventures Of
Photographer: Natalie Williams
Florist: Studio Ooh La La
Bar: Night Owl Productions
Cake & Dessert Bar: Sweet & Saucy Shop
Dress: Hope Stanley, Marry Me Bridal
Bride's Sash: Tessa Kim
Hair & Makeup: Evelyn Lui, Serene Bridal Beauty
Catering: DIY/the groom's family!

Dawn & John: A Pirate Wedding in Santa Barbara

One of my favorite things about weddings is how much you can tell about a couple from experiencing their wedding celebration. Whether it's a simple backyard gathering or a grand ballroom occasion full of cultural traditions, I appreciate couples who approach their wedding with intention, and I always hope that when you finish watching our films, you feel like you know the couple... just a little bit.

Today, I get to introduce you to an awesome couple via their amazing handcrafted wedding. We have known John for years because he's the brother of one of our best friends (and Josh's groomsman!). When Dawn entered John's life, it was clear that she was someone truly special, because there was magic happening when they were together. These two unlock such amazing things in each other, and in turn this magic spreads to those around them.

Inspired by their love of history and fantasy, Dawn and John decided on a pirate theme for their wedding, which would take place in Godric Grove at Ellings Park, Santa Barbara, with a sweeping view of the ocean. You'll see what I mean by magic right away - the details are all handcrafted, the guests (and the photo and video teams!) arrived in elaborate pirate garb, the wedding party - ahem, I mean their crew - displayed sashes of purple for the bride or green for the groom with their vastly different outfits, and even learned a period dance for the celebration! This couple crafted a one-of-a-kind ceremony that included their community of loved ones and all sorts of happy surprises. And their vows?? Like I said, magic.

It takes a pretty awesome couple to rock a historical pirate wedding theme with this level of class. I am amazed by the care and craftsmanship that went into every single detail. Don't you love the custom necklaces that the couple had made? What a beautiful and meaningful alternative to wedding rings!

Soundtrack licensed via The Music Bed
"Like Ships Need the Sea" by Emily Hearn

Venue: Ellings Park, Santa Barbara
Cinematographer: The Adventures Of
Photographer: Candice Benjamin Photography - Click here for gorgeous photos!
Hair & Makeup: Fairytale Hair and Makeup
Cake Artist: Jean Fields
Catering: DJ's Catering
Everything Else: DIY!

Dawn and John, thank you for sharing your creativity, your playfulness, and your love in such bold and beautiful ways! Your wedding was one of our favorites not because it was "different," but because it was a reflection of your personalities, and because of the joyful and enthusiastic participation of all your friends and family! You are clearly surrounded by an awesome community of loved ones, and your love story is just beginning.

#TBT: Doctor Who Wedding Inspiration | Through All of Time and Space

In honor of The Day of the Doctor - the 50th Anniversary of BBC's Doctor Who - this Throwback Thursday is dedicated to our "Geek Chic" interpretation of a Whovian wedding (originally published under our old brand, Jakfoto Films).

The sparkling gold and TARDIS blue decor are perfect for any glamorous celebration, but fans of Doctor Who will notice lots of subtle references to the television show: Gallifreyan print designs, a Van Gogh inspired cake, TARDIS keys, and portraits of the Doctor's many faces used as table numbers, just to name a few. My favorite part of planning this film was composing some very moving vows with quotes from the show. "Together, or not at all..."

When photographer (and fellow Whovian) Candice Benjamin and I started brainstorming about a glamorous wedding in honor of our favorite Time Lord, we had no idea how enthusiastically the fandom would respond. We were honored to be featured on sites like Green Wedding Shoes, When Geeks Wed, Anglophenia... we even received gifts from BBC America! This is our most popular video to date, and I think that's just fantastic.

Be sure to check out Candice Benjamin's photos for a close look at all of the details, and check the list below to see who contributed your favorite touches. It took an amazing team of wedding pros to put together all of this magic!

Styled by: The Adventures Of | Candice Benjamin Photography | First Pick Planning

Music: "Doctor" by Chris Bartels/Anthem Falls Music Purchase this track: Click here!
Photography: Candice Benjamin Photography
Bridal Gown: Hope Stanley, Bridal Stylist at Marry Me Bridal 
Birdcage Veil: Tessa Kim 
Bride’s Cape and Earrings: BHLDN 
Print Design: Mintwich Design 
Floral Design: Studio Ooh La La 
Ceremony Venue: Big Bear Solar Observatory
Ceremony Make-up and hair: Melissa Abad Makeup 
Fourth Doctor's Scarf: NoemisKnits 
TARDIS Kindle Cover: mdk Studios 898 
Reception Venue: Huron Substation, Los Angeles 
Reception Make-up and hair: Evelyn Lui of Serene Bridal Beauty 
Cake: A Twist of Cake 
Table Number Art: Meghan Stratman 
Dining Furniture and Place Settings: Classic Party Rentals 
Statement Furniture & Pendant Lights: FormDecor 
Lighting: Mastermind Production Group 
Cocktail Bar: Night Owl Productions 
Eleventh Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver & The Master's Pocket Watch: ThinkGeek

Extra Special Thanks To: Kasey McKay, Josh McKay, Alastair James Murden, Chris Wayne, and Bree Rhoten

DFTBA,
Kiera Faye

I'm excited to share more Geek Chic inspiration in the future... What fandom-inspired wedding theme would you like to see?