Hollister Ranch Wedding | Santa Barbara, CA

WeddingsFeatured

Jun 11

A day that felt to me like coming home, a day that truly epitomized Central Coast culture—

That is how I feel about Alexandra & Nick’s wedding day. This is a gallery I have been dying to share with the world because to me, it feels so alive. And it is a direct reflection of Axie and Nick and their community. After spending nearly half their lives together, it’s no wonder these two were so intentional about every detail of their day and the values it reflected. They chose to get married at Hollister Ranch in Santa Barbara (more on this in a bit), overlooking the ocean, dreaming up a party in a field with their favorite people.

Central Coast natives, Axie and Nick met in high school and have been together ever since. It was finally their time to get married, and they chose to do it at Santa Barbara County’s Hollister Ranch, on a parcel Axie and her family had helped maintain for a family friend her entire life. This very piece of land is one that has become so deeply meaningful to her, bringing her her closest friends, a lifetime of memories, and, most recently, served as the location of her engagement to Nick. When we first spoke, some logistics were still being figured out, but Axie was determined to make this space her wedding venue, because, to her, there truly was no other option. And now, I can see why.

Everyone gathered to partake in this day brought the kind of joyful buzz I really have only seen on the Central Coast (and we’ve been blessed to travel the world!). There is something so beautiful and unique about the culture here, and that energy was so alive all day. And then so much more— here on the Central Coast of California, it’s cowboy hats and sundresses and Blundstones, because you’ll probably find yourself in a cow pasture at some point. It’s a marine layer that gives way to golden sunlight, and the way the light catches on the hills in a way nowhere else can boast. It’s magnums of wine that someone at the table probably had a hand in making, passed around a slow but lively dinner, bursting with conversation. It’s a dance party that begins at cocktail hour and never ends, even as the chill of the evening sets in. To me, it’s home.

Lively as ever were Axie and Nick’s wedding party members, who helped kick off the day with such soulful energy. We watched as Axie and Nick shared their first look and personal vows at one of Hollister Ranch’s most notable landscapes— a cow pasture on a cliff overlooking the ocean below. We made our way through formal portraits before the ceremony, as our couple’s main priority was their party. And party they did. Guests were welcomed with a pre-ceremony happy hour, gathered in a field around a vintage truck which displayed photographs of the love that went before Axie and Nick.

A&N were married in a horse pasture overlooking the ocean, just after the sun came out for the day. It was warm and glowing and full of happy energy. My favorite part was their golden, Walter, roaming free throughout. What a special way to include him in the festivities! Emotional vows gave way to a party, and guests meandered up the hill to Axie and Nick’s clear tent reception. Their band began playing at cocktail hour, and, just as A&N had predicted, the dance party also began immediately. The bubble 🔫 used during the recessional became permanent dance floor fixtures, and everyone talked and laughed as the sun set over the beautiful Hollister Ranch.

A lively dinner was shared during sunset, as magnums of local wine were passed and laughter filled the air! We usually take our dinner break while the bride and groom eat, but the vibes were so infectious, I quite literally didn’t want to leave to eat my dinner. We took Axie and Nick out to one of the nearby fields overlooking the ocean for sunset photos, and then immediately returned them to their party, as round two of dancing commenced. The dance floor was packed all night, and the clear tent allowed for the most gorgeous views of the starry sky above. This was an absolute dream wedding; there is truly nowhere else I would have rather been on the second of May.

I hope you enjoy Axie and Nick’s Santa Barbara wedding photos as much as I do— these truly have such a soul and are a collection I am immensely proud of creating. And a special thank you to my second photographer, Nolan, for his artistic eye all day long!

We’re Katie and Joseph, a husband and wife team, and documentary wedding photographers.

We are big fans of documenting wedding days in an unposed, raw, genuine, and honest way that allows our couples to maximize their experience on their day while also receiving a gallery full of stunning images that communicate how it felt to be there.

Though we’re based in California, we’ll travel anywhere for a good love story (and dance party). We invite you to follow the links below to learn more about us and our services, and to get in contact with us!