Design Guided by Santa Barbara’s Natural Calm

Some celebrations carry a gentle intensity, the kind that stays with you long after the day ends. Rachael and Phil chose the Rosewood Miramar for a wedding shared with only their closest people, which gave the entire experience a warm, heartfelt tone. With a group this small, each moment feels beautifully present. The Rosewood Miramar has become one of the most sought after places for couples planning a wedding in Santa Barbara, and it gives photographers an incredible range of light and texture to work with.

Shauna from Santa Barbara Elopement shaped the day with her calm, thoughtful approach. She created an environment that felt polished yet relaxed, allowing the couple to flow through the property without any sense of hurry. Camille of Camellia Floral Design added a sculptural semi circle of blooms on the lawn, a grounded arrangement that framed their vows with refined simplicity.

Rachael’s beauty look, created by Nicole of Samara Beauty, felt fresh and luminous. It complemented the light at the Miramar and set an elegant tone that carried throughout the afternoon.

The ceremony took place on one of the hotel’s smaller lawns, open to the gardens and close enough to the water to feel the breeze. With such an intimate group, the moment unfolded with a quiet sincerity that fit the setting perfectly. There was an ease to it, the kind that naturally comes when everyone present shares a real connection to the couple. For anyone dreaming of a Santa Barbara wedding, the Miramar offers a setting that feels both refined and grounded, which is a gift from a photography perspective.

After the ceremony, we walked through the pathways and landscaped pockets of the property for portraits. The late afternoon light softened across the grounds, giving each frame a sense of clarity and warmth. This part of the coast has a clarity in the afternoon that works beautifully for wedding photography, especially when the celebration is intimate. Rachael and Phil moved through the space with champagne in hand, talking with each other, settling into the feeling of being newly married without any performance for the camera.

We finished on the terrace near Caruso’s, which offers sweeping views of the coastline from above. The openness of that spot brought a wider sense of place to the images, pairing the elegance of the resort with the expanse of the Pacific.

Dinner was held indoors at a single, beautifully set table. A few candles flickered, a classic cake waited nearby, and the evening unfolded more like a refined private supper than a formal reception.

Rachael and Phil’s wedding reflected that balance perfectly. A thoughtful gathering shaped with intention in a setting that rewards subtlety. If you are planning your own wedding in Santa Barbara, I would love to help you create photographs that feel timeless, honest, and connected to the character of this place.

For a closer look at the way I photograph intimate weddings and larger celebrations in Santa Barbara and beyond, you can visit my portfolio.