lauren + nick: their wedding | san ysidro ranch.

lauren and nick have a relationship that is rooted in intentionality and authenticity. one that is honest and focused on loving each other well. she laughs at his jokes. and he can't help but smile when he looks at her. they bring out the best in each other. she is his beloved. and he is hers.

so about a month ago, lauren and i got together for lunch. we caught each other up the going-ons in our lives. we recounted the glory days at westmont. we laughed and schemed hypothetical scenarios as we always do. and we chit-chatted about wedding planning details and dreamed up photo awesomeness. all of lauren's planning was coming together beautifully and the event was set to take place on may 7th at elings park in santa barbara. i. counldn't. wait.

the next day, i got text from lauren asking if i was free may 8th. i was intrigued. and yes, i was free. so i called to get the story and here what she was scheming. she told me that ty warner (the owner of the resort where both lauren and nick work) had offered to host the wedding at san ysidro ranch where lauren and nick had met and fallen in love and that they were considering accepting the invitation and moving the wedding. i said "of course, you're going to accept. i'm all in." and so they did. and rightly so i might add. the weather was simply gorgeous, the details simple yet stunning, the views and gardens breathtaking. the mother-of-the-bride said "it was like a garden of eden" and that it was.

and so, here is their wedding day story...(beware, it's kinda long, but i just couldn't help myself. my bad).

make-up by lindsey colson - salon del mar.

classic lauren...

one of my favorite shots of the day...lauren was stunning.

the gents. my buddy montana dennis who is a mad-talented creator of serious photo-awesomeness joined in the fun and helped me out for the day. i couldn't have done it without him...he hung out with the guys whilst i was photographing the ladies.

the ranch...

it was such a sweet and intimate ceremony...

lauren and nick had such great and supportive friends by their side. and they're not too shabby lookin' either.

nick works at the guardhouse and has seen photo after photo taken in the lavender and dreamt of taking photos with his bride. little did he know, i had also dreamt of shooting in the san ysidro ranch lavender field too. it was quite purdy.

i found a bamboo forest the day before and vowed i would use it in some way. but we had too much fun in the lavender and were running out of time. luckily we got swooped up in a golf-cart and were able to swing by en route to the reception. bam!

all the fixings for authentic mexican tacos.

the sob-fest. things got a little blurry for everyone. myself included. geesh.

rings in the shadows...and their customized sign outside the kennedy cottage.

for more images, you can view their slideshow here.

thank you lauren and nick for inviting me to tell your story. i am so happy for you guys i adore you both. lauren, thanks for being such an amazing friend over the years and for enriching my life in so many ways. have fun in the caribbean!!!