On May 30, 2019, Matt and I eloped! Standing on these beautiful bluffs that overlooked the Pacific Ocean, we vowed to spend forever together. Today, we’ve been married for two months but there is another reason this day is special. Two years ago on this very day, Matt asked me to be his girlfriend. I knew I liked him then but I had no idea that this is where we would be two years later and I’m so happy we’re here.

After we got engaged, we knew we would elope. It’s nothing against our friends and family members or the amazing wedding vendors I work with. We didn’t want our day to be wrapped up in thinking we “had” to do things a certain way. I didn’t want my own wedding day to feel like I was working either. We wanted the day to feel like what it was – Day One of our marriage. Of course, it’s something to celebrate but it’s so much bigger than that. It’s the start of a lifelong commitment to one another and we really wanted to focus on that. So, we picked a city we have never been to before and made it our city.

We chose Santa Barbara, California. It looked beautiful and we knew that we would have an amazing time there. We never visited it beforehand, we just went with it. It took a little more planning than we thought but everything turned out beautifully. We invited our closest friends and family members to be a part of our day. They didn’t think we were crazy for eloping and hopped on a plane to be with us. They came from all over the country, took time out of their busy lives, and made us a priority. We are beyond grateful that they could all be there and witness this once in a lifetime moment for us.

We had the best vendors ever, especially our photo and video team! I shared our wedding video by Best Man Media before but you should definitely look at it again! Our photographer, Kristina Adams Photography, did an amazing job capturing our day and I’m so excited to love and enjoy the images she created forever! One of the best parts for us was having our friend, Brian, marry us. Matt had never met Brian and his wife Austyn before but he knew that I loved them. They both graciously agreed to be with us on our day and made it so special.

I’m beyond happy that I got to marry my best friend on this day. People always say, “It was the best day ever” and I can truly say that it was. Everything looked so beautiful and went perfectly. We really got to soak up every moment. The morning of the wedding, Matt and I went out to breakfast just the two of us. We love breakfast and it was a chance for us to really take in the gravity of the day. It was wonderful and the start of the most perfect day.

I love you, Matt! I’m so happy to be your wife and call you my husband. Cheers to us and to a lifetime of adventures!

I’m so thankful to everyone who helped out and made our day special. Our family members and friends really stepped up to make sure we were loved and taken care of the entire time. I’m super thankful for my husband, Matt, too. He surprised me with gifts and even decorated the outdoor residence where we had our reception dinner. He went around town to make sure I had my favorite drink and picked up chairs so our guests would have a place to sit. Matt is so selfless and giving, I’m so lucky to call him my husband.

Thank you to our amazing wedding vendors! We really appreciate you sharing your gifts and talents with us!

Ceremony: Ellwood Bluffs // Reception: Private Residence // Catering: Catering Connection // Pizza: Lucky Penny Pizza // Cupcakes: Sugar Cat Studio // Photographer: Kristina Adams Photography // Videographer: Best Man Media // Officiant: Brian Ford // Planner: Santa Barbara Elopement // Florist: Ella & Louie // Wedding Dress: BHLDN // Bride’s Jewelry: BHLDN // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Bridesmaid and MOB Dresses: BHLDN // Groom’s Suit: Combatant Gentlemen // Groom’s Tie: The Tie Bar // Groom’s Shoes: DSW // Bride’s Engagement and Wedding Rings: Alyssa & Anna Fine Jewelry // Groom’s Ring: Kesslers // Invitations: Sugared Fig Paperie // Chair Rentals: The Tent Merchant // Dress Alterations: Sue Lindgren // Vow Books: Paper Plum // Mrs. Bag: The Beach Bride by Chic Parisien