Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Real Weddings Wedding Styles Seasonal Weddings Winter Weddings An Intimate Outdoor Wedding for Just 18 Guests in Montecito, California By Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer. Editorial Guidelines Published on July 30, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Jose Villa After meeting online in 2017, Celeste Chandler and Gabriel Fox jumped right to "in sickness and in health." "Gabriel had the flu when we started messaging," says Celeste. "I sent him a handful of holistic remedies and acupressure points from my previous experience as a message therapist. A day later I received a photo of all the ingredients and herbal remedies I had shared." When Gabriel felt better, he invited Celeste for a sunset picnic at a beach in Santa Barbara, where they drank wine and discussed theology. "We had a lovely evening together and couldn't wait to see one another again," Celeste tells us. About two years later, Gabriel organized a surprise trip to Iceland—one of Celeste's dream travel spots. "He was somehow able to keep our destination a secret until we reached the gate. I was in tears," says Celeste. The couple spent more than a week exploring the country—including a trip to a secluded, tourist-free waterfall Gabriel heard about from the locals, where he got down on one knee to propose. Celeste and Gabriel began planning their wedding for January 25, 2020, in Montecito, California, but about a month before, they realized they needed professional assistance and hired Tyler Speier. "Invitations to a different venue had already been sent out," says Celeste, "but Tyler came to our rescue and made the day a million times better than it would've been." The couple invited 18 guests to San Ysidro Ranch, where they held an open-air ceremony backed by sweeping views of the mountains and an intimate indoor dinner. "It was an opportunity to have the small, outdoor wedding I always dreamed of," says Celeste. 01 of 19 Golden Touch Jose Villa Custom invitations from Paper and Cloth included accents of hand-painted olive branches in a nod to the trees at San Ysidro Ranch. The understated formality of the invitation set the tone for the atmosphere the couple wanted at their wedding: "We wanted it to emphasize the natural world and we wanted to keep things simple, intimate, and warm," says Celeste. 02 of 19 One and Done Jose Villa Celeste's lace Oscar de la Renta wedding dress, with its low back and illusion neckline, showed off a design of flowers and leaves in another reference to the couple's love of nature. "It was one of two dresses in the entire Saks Bridal Suite that fell into the category of the type of dress I wanted, and it was the first dress I tried on," she says. "My best friend began to cry immediately upon seeing it on me and said, 'That's it.' It was perfect." 03 of 19 Perfect Pair Jose Villa The bride's accessories included jeweled satin ankle-strap flats from Badgely Mischka and floral-themed Anthropologie hair pins. She wore pearl-and-diamond earrings that her father had given to her mother as an anniversary gift, plus a pearl bracelet from her mom. 22 Pairs of Wedding-Worthy Flats 04 of 19 Beautiful Blooms Jose Villa Celeste's vision for her wedding included "soft, muted colors, and tons of flowers," a request Tyler Speier, who created the floral arrangements, fulfilled with a bloom-heavy bouquet of garden roses, delphinium, ranunculus, and dusty miller. 05 of 19 Naval Flair Jose Villa Gabriel put the finishing touches on his custom navy blue Suit Supply suit with a coordinating tie, a Tiffany and Co. tie clip, and an IWC watch Celeste gave him as a wedding gift. His boutonnière included an olive sprig, a garden rose, astrantia, hellebores, and a lisianthus bud. 64 Boutonnières You Both Will Love 06 of 19 Their First Look Jose Villa One of the happiest parts of the day for Celeste and Gabriel was the moment they met for their first look on a hedge-lined path. "I was filled with joy and excitement throughout," says Celeste. "I could just see how happy and excited Gabriel was. He was beaming." 07 of 19 Natural Beauty Jose Villa The couple held their intimate ceremony outside, letting the Santa Ynez mountains serve as a majestic backdrop to the property's lawn and gardens. These Are the Riskiest Months for an Outdoor Wedding 08 of 19 Growing Green Jose Villa Classic round, cane-back chairs in a light wood tone and soaring floral arrangements lined the aisle. A lush floral arch included taupe, ivory, mustard, and blush-colored roses. 09 of 19 Down the Aisle Jose Villa During the ceremony, a string trio provided live music, playing Schubert's "Serenade" during Celeste's solo processional. "My father passed away when I was 17 and I didn't feel like anyone could ever take his place," she says, "so I decided to walk down the aisle by myself, with his spirit beside me." Can the Bride Walk Down the Aisle Alone? 10 of 19 At the Altar Jose Villa A close friend of Gabriel's, John Jones, officiated the couple's ceremony, working with the bride and groom to create a personalized text. "No vows," says Celeste. "But we talked to our officiant multiple times prior to the wedding day about what our marriage signifies to us and worked out what we wanted to be communicated." 19 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Ceremony 11 of 19 Husband and Wife Jose Villa Though the ceremony went smoothly, the couple recalls one minor issue that popped up after their recessional. "[Our officiant] forgot to say the last part of his legal officiant requirements," says Celeste. "We had already walked off the ceremony lawn and he ran to us saying 'Wait, wait, wait: By the power vested in me!' We all died laughing." When Is the Right Time to Hire Your Wedding Officiant? 12 of 19 Quick Change Jose Villa Celeste added a cozy jacket to her look post-ceremony. 13 of 19 Up in the Air Jose Villa The couple's guests sat at one long table inside the exposed-beam dining room, where trailing vines on the chandeliers and ceiling mirrored a delicate vine pattern on the natural linen tablecloth. 14 of 19 Glass Act Jose Villa Place settings included glass chargers, hand-wrapped boxes of truffles, and individually calligraphed place cards. Custom illustrations from the invitation reappeared on the menu, while pillar candles in assorted vessels lined the table between abundant centerpieces. The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations 15 of 19 Dinner by Candlelight Jose Villa A trailing floral installation on the fireplace continued the floral motifs, while displays of pillar candles on the hearth and mantle added to the hundreds of glimmering lights throughout the space. 16 of 19 On the Menu Jose Villa The newlyweds opted for a menu from the venue's chefs that they describe in one word: "decadent." The meal included butternut squash soup; a salad with apples, pear tomatoes, and candied pecans; and a choice of parmesan-crusted halibut or herb gnocchi. 17 of 19 Sweet Talk Jose Villa The couple displayed their two-tier cake on a silver stand in front of an ornate mirror; the ceremony floral arrangements added color underneath. The Valrhona chocolate cake included milk chocolate mousse, feuilletine crunch filling, and vanilla buttercream frosting. 26 Unique Wedding Cake Stands 18 of 19 Nearest and Dearest Jose Villa In lieu of dancing, the couple focused on sharing an intimate meal with their nearest and dearest. "We really enjoyed the dinner," says Celeste. "It was such a lovely space, and it was so beautifully decorated. The food was incredible, and it was so nice to be able to sit down and relax with our close friends and family." 19 of 19 Sources Jose Villa Photography, Jose VillaVenue and Catering, San Ysidro RanchEvent Planning, Design, and Flowers, Tyler SpeierOfficiant, John JonesStationery, Paper and ClothMusic, Simone VitucciRentals, Town and Country; La Tavola Fine Linen RentalsBride's Gown, Oscar de la RentaBride's Accessories, Badgley Mischka shoes; Tiffany and Co. jewelry; Anthropologie Wedding hairpinsHair and Makeup, Team Hair and MakeupGroom's Suit, SuitSupplyGroom's Sccessories, Tiffany and Co. tie clip; IWC watchFavors, Jessica Foster Confections Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit