SoCal Wedding Overlooking the Ocean at Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara

A newlywed couple walks down an outdoor aisle, surrounded by seated guests. The bride is wearing a white wedding dress and holding a bouquet, while the groom is in a dark suit. The ocean and palm trees can be seen in the background under a clear blue sky.

SoCal Wedding Overlooking the Ocean at Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara

CATEGORIES

July 24, 2024
Words by Logan Rogers
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Burgi

Los Angeles lovebirds Harper and Rohit tied the knot in sunny SoCal, escaping the city chaos for a warm, welcoming celebration with friends and family from near and far to a secluded beach wedding at Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara.

A collage of three images: the top left shows wedding invitations surrounded by flowers, the top right displays a scenic outdoor wedding altar adorned with floral arrangements, and the bottom features five women in white robes smiling and posing together.

The couple went into their venue search with some top priorities for their special day. Specifically, Harper desired a location on the beach that felt “tucked away” and Rohit wanted somewhere that could accommodate a wide range of food options. After touring around, the Ritz Carlton Santa Barbara won Harper and Rohit over, and they booked the space for a date over a year later. This way, guests traveling from around the world would have ample time to arrange plans.

A scenic outdoor wedding setup features rows of wooden chairs facing the ocean, lined with floral arrangements. A large palm tree stands near the ceremony space. Two additional images show intricate floral decorations on a garden arch and along a white wall.

Elements of Planning and Personalizing

The beachside setting inspired the couple’s color palette, a blend of cool blues, calming lavenders and pastels, accented with pops of greenery. Additionally, Harper and Rohit planned to incorporate their dog, Mona, in many aspects of the day. Namely, Mona would star as the ring bearer during the ceremony and have photos of her in place of table numbers during the reception.

A collage of three wedding scenes: a man in a suit walking through a floral archway, a bride in a white gown with a long train standing on a garden path, and an outdoor setup with rows of chairs facing an ocean backdrop and decorated with flowers.

Harper and Rohit also took into account the plethora of dietary restrictions across the guest list and made sure everyone would be taken care of, keeping track via their RSVP cards. They planned for an array of appetizers to be paired with cocktail hour as well as late-night snacks during the reception, offering different options throughout the night.

A bride and groom sit together amid flowers, the bride showing henna-adorned hands. Another image shows them exchanging vows outdoors by the ocean under a clear sky. The final image is a view from the back of the crowd, highlighting the scenic beachfront ceremony.

It’s All Coming Together

Luckily for the couple, all vendors were based throughout Southern California, primarily in the Los Angeles/ Orange County area (except The Little Things Bakery which was located right in Santa Barbara). Harper and Rohit admit there weren’t too many issues during the planning process or the wedding day. “We are incredibly appreciative of all our family, friends, and vendors who supported us along the way,” Rohit says.

A collage of wedding pictures shows a couple walking down the aisle outdoors under palm trees with guests clapping, posing in front of a floral arch, and the bride holding a bouquet of white and blue flowers. The bride's lace gown and the groom's suit are visible.

When it came to budgeting and managing expenses for a destination wedding, the couple had one main goal: to ensure everyone could make it, both logistically and financially. Harper and Rohit put a lot of effort into making the travel experience as seamless as possible for guests. They also learned to prioritize their “must’s” over their “maybe’s” when it came various expenses, putting great food, beautiful flowers, and an amazing venue above the rest. “If there are aspects that you don’t care as much about during planning, you certainly won’t notice them on the day itself, so don’t put as much time/money into those less important details,” Harper adds.

A collage of three wedding photos. The top shows a bridal party posing indoors with the bride and groom in the center. The bottom left features the bride and groom standing outdoors near a coastal view. The bottom right displays a white tiered wedding cake decorated with flowers and greenery.

Honoring the Groom’s Culture

The night before the wedding the couple threw a traditional Sangeet at Hilton Beachfront Downtown Santa Barbara to honor Rohit and his family’s Indian culture. Sangeet translates to “Music Night” or “Musical Party” and it is held to celebrate the union of a couple and their families. The night was filled with authentic Indian cuisine and choreographed dances from the wedding party and the two families. The bride also had her hands decorated with henna for the party.

Top image: A bride and groom, both smiling, walk hand-in-hand under a flower arch as guests standing around celebrate by throwing petals. Bottom image: Wedding guests gather on a lawn near the sea, with tables set under umbrellas as part of an outdoor reception.

After a Long Wait, The Wedding Day Arrived

“On the day itself, our immediate friends and family helped both of us get ready, our photographer arrived an hour and a half early to get extra photos, and our coordinators were so on top of the schedule, it felt like a breeze,” Harper says. “However, we did wait until the morning of to write our vows… Oops. But it felt really special to take the time that morning and write them together.”

A beautiful wedding setup outdoors. The top image shows a floral arch with white roses and greenery around a wooden door, with a decorated table in front. The bottom images display close-ups of the table, adorned with candles, white roses, and elegant place settings.

Harper and Rohit say they wouldn’t have done anything differently as everything worked out just as they hoped. While the planning experience can be intense, the couple recommends choosing a location that holds meaning and that you can visit at least once before the wedding. “At the end of the day, you’ll be surrounded by your friends and family and the little details that might bog you down during planning won’t matter as much on the day itself—you’ll just want to celebrate and dance the night away with your partner!” Harper concludes.

A couple stands beneath a large floral archway, kissing. The venue features elegantly decorated tables with candles and flowers, a staircase adorned with floral arrangements, and a canopy of string lights illuminating the banquet area. The image consists of three sections: the top shows a table with shots rimmed with crushed toppings, the middle displays a chandelier adorned with green foliage, and the bottom features people dancing at a lively event, with women in light blue dresses.