Kristin and Kayvon had booked famed photographer Jose Villa and were working with The Lynden Lane Co. to plan a large destination wedding. And when they realized that they would likely need to postpone due to pandemic restrictions, they decided they'd have a faraway celebration or no celebration at all—for a time, that is. "Our intention was to get married in Lake Como," says Kristin, who had always dreamed of an Italian wedding. "We had no intention of getting married before Italy, but then one day we just decided that we were done waiting." Within three days, they had booked the rest of their vendors and launched plans to marry in California in less than two weeks. "Our goal was to create a magical, modern Italian experience with our immediate family in a safe way," says the bride.
For the venue, Jose recommended a private home in Montecito, where he had previously done a photo shoot. "When my planners saw the venue they knew it was a way to bring us to Italy without having to leave home," Kristin says. The manicured grounds of the estate featured expansive lawns, stone stairways, and a breathtaking glass structure that stood sentry over the garden. "It was literally the perfect spot," says the bride, whose vision was "clean, white, and modern, but still romantic."
In addition to commissioning a big-day look that was classic with an edgy, modern twist, the pair also put a lot of thought into their musical selections. During the ceremony, an acoustic guitarist offered a simple accompaniment that fit the moment. The reception was led by internationally known Chris Norton and his band, an experience the couple will never forget. "[Chris] is a singer, trumpeter, and band leader, and just made the whole evening magical, switching from classics to pop with a modern jazz interpretation," says Kristin. "He just kept the whole night feeling like we were floating on a cloud." Chris' band was also key. "They made [the atmosphere] feel elevated and intimate," adds the bride. "I am not sure how, but they made it feel like a party for 50 when there were only 10 of us."
Kristin and Kayvon still plan to exchange vows in Italy before a large group of family and friends when the time is right. "We are hoping for 2022," she says. "I still have two more dresses that I bought that I have to wear!" However, their intimate nuptials will always stand out. "Just because you are planning a small wedding doesn't mean you have to miss out on décor and a great venue," confides the bride. We are so happy we went all out with everything, even though it was just 10 people."
