BEACH WEDDING AT MAR MONTE HOTEL, SANTA BARBARA

If you're dreaming of a beautiful beach wedding, check out the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara! I recently photographed a gorgeous wedding there, and it was absolutely perfect. Relaxed vibes, fun bridal party, and an intimate beach ceremony with heartfelt vows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. But the Mar Monte offers more than just views: amazing staff, beautiful grounds, and a luxurious experience. Dane and Lauren's wedding was unforgettable - a beautiful blend of love, laughter, and that amazing Southern California setting.

TARGET PRACTICE AT THE WINCHESTER CANYON GUN CLUB

Yes, this was a first for me too! I've photographed a few weddings in my life, but I'd never experienced such an excursion before the ceremony. I can't say that I hated the idea, but I did worry for a second or two. After all, we were going to the gun range!

Located just off Forest Route 5N12, about a 30-minute drive up the hills from Mar Monte Hotel, the groom, along with the father of the bride and all his best friends, took a coach to their destination. After a few short minutes of gun safety instruction and some donuts with coffee, the guys began firing at their targets. After observing the whole ordeal and photographing the heck out of it, I realized it was a must-have—a must-do, if you will. This is what close bonds are made of.

Shortly after 10 o'clock, everyone was packed and loaded back on the bus and made their journey back down to the hotel. If there was ever an outing that should be recreated before every wedding, I think this one is it! "Shotgun wedding" took on a whole new meaning for me after that day.

PRE-WEDDING PREP AT THE MAR MONTE HOTEL

This was my first time photographing a wedding at the Mar Monte Hotel, and I can't say enough about how beautiful it is. From the lobby to the rooms and all the amenities, the place is absolutely immaculate.

When Dane and the groomsmen returned to the hotel, the ladies were already in full prep mode! Makeup was being applied, hair curlers were out, ironing boards were in use, and the whole suite bustled with that anticipated pre-wedding chaos. Nothing too stressful for me as a photographer, but there was definitely some unspoken tension and eagerness to make sure everything turned out perfectly!

Lauren, the bride, looked absolutely stunning. Her bridesmaids were a ton of help, and her preparations seemed to be moving right on schedule. One of the funniest moments of the morning was when Lauren's dad peeked over a divider wall, and I caught him smirking at me. I love those kinds of moments. They add to the uniqueness of each wedding I shoot.

The guys were getting ready just a couple of floors up, and I was glad I got to witness their side of things. I'm sure the photographs reflect the difference in the atmosphere. Dane was as happy a groom as they come, and the groomsmen were his biggest cheerleaders. A couple of toasts later, everyone headed down to the lobby for the first look. And what an awesome first look it was!

HERE COMES THE BRIDE: THE ALL-AWAITED BEACH CEREMONY

You have to admit that the reason you have a wedding in Santa Barbara at a hotel by the beach is for the ceremony to take place right there, on the beach! Lauren and Dane picked one of the hottest days in October to tie the knot, but that didn't stop them from executing their ceremony in the most beautiful way.

The beach ceremony decor was set up perfectly by the Mar Monte Hotel staff. Everything from the chairs and refreshments to the altar was thoughtfully placed. Lauren and Dane made their way to the beach in a white Lincoln Navigator, and Dane was the first to walk both mothers down the aisle. Lauren and her dad shortly followed. The guests were super engaged, and the officiant (Dane's father) made the whole process smooth and quick. Before we knew it, we were back inside the hotel getting ready for the reception to begin!