Name a more beautiful coastal, Southern California city, than Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Courthouse served as the Spanish-style backdrop for Sarah & Kyle’s more formal and romantic outfit selection, while the Douglas Family Preserve provided the perfect place for a cozy, cliffside, sunset picnic. The Preserve offered views reminiscent of the the Amalfi Coast of Italy, where Sarah & Kyle will be honeymooning.
Wild West Florals crafted a gorgeous bouquet, inspired by earthy, contrasting colors and an organic mixture of textures for an overall unique and modern floral aesthetic. Lucky Penny, a local favorite pizzeria, made a special appearance, as a well as a few local dogs, which was extra fitting as Sarah & Kyle met in Chicago when their two labs ran up to each other at the dog park. Talk about something straight out of a rom com!
Sarah & Kyle’s ease and playfulness with one another brought the sunshine to this engagement session. Here’s a little more about their story too:
Kyle and Sarah met on a Sunday morning in March 2019, in Chicago. Kyle and Sarah each had taken their Labradors to the park in Roscoe Village. Their two dogs, Sheena and Addy, locked eyes across the park, and ran to each other with wagging tails. As Kyle ran to Addy, and Sarah ran to Sheena, the two dogs united them, and Kyle and Sarah liked to think it was their plan all along. For their first date, Kyle and Sarah went to Volo Wine Bar in Roscoe Village. Through first date nerves and jitters, conversation quickly took off as they talked over a delicious dinner. Kyle’s plan all along was to have a “Part 2” to the date if it was going well, so as they were finishing up at Volo, he asked Sarah if she wanted to go to a concert. The two ended up seeing a Lennon Stella concert at the Metro in Wrigley. Following the concert, Kyle and Sarah walked down Clark Street in Wrigley and stopped in at Jeni’s for ice cream to conclude their first date. They dated for 2 years, 4 months before getting engaged.
Kyle and Sarah started the evening of the surprise proposal at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. Following dinner, Kyle and Sarah walked down to Lookout Point for sunset. As they were gazing out at Balboa Island and Newport Bay, one of their special songs they love started playing, and before Sarah knew it, Kyle got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! Through tears of joy, she said yes! Both Kyle and Sarah’s family were there to surprise them, even their dogs, Sheena and Addy.
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met on a Sunday morning in March 2019, in Chicago. We both had taken our Labradors to the park in Roscoe Village. Our two dogs, Sheena and Addy, locked eyes across the park, and ran to each other with wagging tails. As Kyle ran to Addy, and Sarah ran to Sheena, the two dogs united them, and we like to think it was their plan all along.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
We both realized we went to the same Lake Shake concert in Chicago about 8 months before we met! There could’ve easily been moments where we had walked past one another. It’s fun to share stories and moments from this day, yet little did we know we’d meet months later!
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
We moved from Chicago to California in the summer of 2020. During this time, we went through one year of a long distance relationship. Kyle was working as a Fellow in Costa Mesa expanding his training in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Sarah was working as a technician at an animal hospital in Ventura. During that time, we tried to see one another on the weekends, but with our schedules, it made it difficult. We learned to appreciate the little time we had with one another.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Our two Labrador Retrievers will be our flower girls and our 2 signature cocktail drinks are named after them! My dad is a pianist and will be playing piano during communion, and my siblings are in our bridal party and will be standing next us during the ceremony.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
The most important part of our wedding day for the both of us is our first look! We look forward to having that quiet and intimate time with one another before the ceremony and reception. There will be so much emotion and excitement in this moment as we see each other for the first time on our wedding day.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
The best thing we’ve learned from one another is knowing we can easily be loved for our true selves. Although we each have flaws, we accept them and continue to love one another. Continuing to support and love one another as an individual and a partner in our relationship is something we both strive to do.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Our favorite thing about one another is faith and family being the root of both of us. We both make Christ a firm foundation in our relationship, and strive to practice Christ’s teachings throughout our daily lives. We hold our family close and stay in close communication with them. We feel blessed to have family members that love and support us.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
We were so lucky to go to Quail Ranch, our venue’s, Open House this past March. It was a beautiful day where our venue was set up as a mock wedding for couples to experience what it would be like on their wedding day. We had the opportunity to taste our caterer’s food and drinks that will served on our day, as well as see the ceremony and reception all set up and lit up. It was truly a magical day that has made us even more excited to get married at Quail Ranch.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Our advice for other couples is to always be honest and your most authentic self with one another. It’s important not to suppress feelings or anything on your mind, and always openly communicate with one another. Your partner should be your teammate and best friend through every stage of life.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is not always easy. If you truly love someone, you will prioritize them, put in the work, and make sure your love can endure.
Photographer: Caitlin Alohilani Photography
Venue: Santa Barbara Courthouse
Stylist / Planner / Designer: Caitlin Alohilani Photography
Floral Designer: Wild West Florals
Dress Designer: Free People
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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