Dean and Jody’s love story brought them from our friendly neighbor country of Canada to beautiful Santa Barbara for a small but luxurious wedding at the Villa Verano Estate. I’ve photographed weddings at Villa Verano a number of times now and it is one of my favorite wedding venues in Santa Barbara for small intimate estate styled weddings. The grounds of the Villa Verano Estate are absolutely amazing with lush colorful plants and trees and finely manicured lawns. Terraced hills and lots of great amenities from a pool, to billiards room, movie theatre room, giant kitchen, elaborate bedrooms and everything else you could want…comprise the Villa Verano Estate. Regardless, it’s not so much the venue that makes the wedding, but the wedding couple. Dean and Jody’s love story is wonderful. You can see their love for each other in the way they interact, look at each other, even the way they hold one another. It was fun to be part of such an intimate wedding made mostly of Canadians. They all seemed to kind, relaxed, respectful and pleasant to be around. Just like the stereotype I’ve always held in regard to Canadians!
I arrived early to take photographs of the rings, dress, grounds and other details. I have to admit I wanted to take a swim in the pool, as it was a wonderfully warm day. I resisted the urge and kept on task! Beautiful grounds at the Villa Verano Santa Barbara wedding venue!
Beautiful Jody gets ready with the help of her mother.
If those eyes don’t scream “I love you and I love being loved by you”, then I don’t know what would!
After the wedding ceremony at Villa Verano we took some family photographs and then headed to the Santa Barbara Courthouse for some additional couple shots around the beautiful grounds there. As we were walking from one place to the next a number of passing motorists honked and yelled their congratulations to the newlywed couple. Their reaction is pictured below. I love it. Such a kind, happy couple Dean and Jody are!
After the Santa Barbara Courthouse we headed to the beach to enjoy the blue ocean, cool ocean breeze and Santa Barbara sand!
Dean and Jody wanted a picture that would be iconically equated with Santa Barbara. Immediately blue sky and palm trees came to mind. I knew just the spot and so the below wedding photograph is one result that I felt fit well with what they were looking for. I think they would agree that you’re not going to find too many scenes in Canada with blue sky, green grass and palm trees!
The beautiful evening wrapped up with a wonderfully intimate dinner on the patio terrace at Villa Verano with one of the best dinners I have ever had made by the caterer and personal Chef Edie! She is really sweet and let me tell you this lady knows how to create delectable creations, beyond words. Chef Edie is personal chef to many stars and it was obvious why! Regardless, after a warm Santa Barbara day, the couple and guest enjoyed the beautiful cool breeze, amazing view and cozy feel of the Villa Verano patio/terrace.
Dean and Jody, being around you two on your wonderful wedding day made me feel like a friend. Seeing you two together was fun, heart warming and inspiring! You have an amazing love for each other and you guys are wonderful people! I hope you guys come back to visit California again! You always have a friend here in this neck of the woods!
Thanks again!
Kindly,
Trent