Kelsey and Grant hosted their Santa Barbara wedding welcome boat cruise for all their guests to start the weekend with an unforgettable pre-wedding event. The all-day affair included a wine walk and a sunset boat cruise, open to any guests who arrived early to celebrate the happy couple . The relaxed pace and warm breeze set the perfect tone for their California destination wedding weekend.

Wine Walk in Santa Barbara

The afternoon began with a wine walk, starting at  the local Carr Winery. I hopped in the car with Kelsey, Grant, and their sweet baby girl Olive to head over. When we arrived, family and friends cheered and immediately ran over to hug the three guests of honor. The open, relaxed atmosphere allowed guests to mingle and enjoy getting to reconnect or meet for the first time. 

A Brewery Pit-Stop for Lunch

Our next stop landed at Third Window Brewing Co., a beer garden with a menu full of smash-burgers to refuel the crowd. guests enjoyed food and drinks in  the sunny outdoor setting. Most of the wedding guests flew in earlier that day from all over the United States, so everyone was pleasantly surprised with the spanish-style Santa Barbara architecture and the delicious food and beverage choices. As I chatted with everyone around me, couples and families shared that they knew intuitively Kelsey and Grant would pick top-notch culinary experiences throughout the weekend. These two deeply value hospitality and wanted their loved ones to experience the best of Southern California for their wedding! 

The walk ended at Test Pilot, a breezy tiki bar, offering handcrafted, exotic cocktails for guests to sip on. At each stop, more guests trickled in to join the fun – a progressively growing crowd of support for Kelsey and Grant’s nuptials!

The last stop and highlight of the evening was the sunset boat cruise leaving off the Santa Barbara pier. Kelsey and Grant rented a yacht for their guests, and as the sun set, we set out for a magical evening. It could not have been more picturesque with dolphins swimming alongside the boat (!) and Aperol spritzs free-flowing! Guests imbibed at the open bar and snacked on a locally curated charcuterie board. For a Labor Day weekend wedding, Kelsey and Grant knew exactly how to celebrate the final hurrah of summer while treating all their loved ones to the best parts of California coastal lifestyle!

Destination Wedding in Santa Barbara

Originally planned for Oaxaca, Mexico, Kelsey and Grant’s wedding shifted to Santa Barbara. It ended up being the perfect choice for them! The city offered them the destination wedding feel they wanted, with its beautiful coastline and relaxed atmosphere. Santa Barbara’s charm made it an ideal location for their multi-day celebration with so much to do. Between restaurants, wineries and activities, Santa Barbara is truly a prime location for a wedding. 

 My Photography Approach at Pre-Wedding Events

As a documentary style wedding photographer, I capture the essence of the evening, especially at pre-wedding events. Instead of interrupting the flow to pose guests, I integrate by meeting and chatting with everyone while simultaneously documenting the candid interactions playing out in front of me. Particularly at casual reunions, I prefer to allow the natural moments to come through. Later looking back at the photos, I want Kelsey and Grant to see organic moments in time that visually bring them back to what it felt like being surrounded by everyone they love. Film photography added a timeless, nostalgic quality to the photographs from this night. 

Setting the Tone for the Wedding Weekend

Kelsey and Grant’s Santa Barbara wedding welcome boat cruise  was the perfect start to their Southern California wedding weekend. By inviting all the guests to participate, they created a welcoming environment that helped everyone connect. The casual, thoughtful event set the stage for a memorable weekend of celebration. I really love to see couples using their wedding destinations to create a mini-vacation for everyone attending! 

Interested in more pre-wedding events? Check out my blog post, The Art of Documenting Intentional Connections at Weddings to hear more about my process and approach. Reach out if you want to talk more about your own wedding, my inbox is always open!