Circle Bar B Guest Ranch wedding in Goleta, Ca | Samantha and Sam

Circle Bar B Guest Ranch wedding in Goleta, Ca | Jennifer Lourie

Samantha and Sam knew they wanted to get married at the Circle Bar B Guest Ranch in Goleta, Ca for not only it’s natural beauty, but so all of their families could spend the weekend together for this rustic destination wedding in the hills. Surrounded by 1100 acres of beautiful land, this coastal mountain location is complete with horseback riding and local magnificent views.

There is so much to love about how Samantha and Sam’s wedding day played out, but it definitely has to start with how happy seeing their names together makes just about everyone. They chose to do a first look atop a mountain overlooking the ocean, and it was hard to stop crying for everyone present. After taking a short breath, they even privately read their vows to each other, which well, led to everyone crying even more. It could have been how stunning Samantha looked in her Calla Blanche dress, or it could have been the magic of overlooking all of Santa Barbara, but this was a first look I will certainly never forget.

We were lucky enough to be able to sneak back to this same location at sunset to capture that Southern California wedding glow, and it was so nice to give the newlyweds a moment to themselves to take in the monumental day they were having. The only thing that was missing was their two pets that had to sadly be left at home, but Samantha and Sam had cut outs made of them for the photo booth- so it was almost like they were there! It was such an incredible summer day to photograph these two, and their dreams of having a “Friends & Family Summer Camp” vibe was definitely accomplished.

“I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what You have made of yourself,
But for what You are making of me. ”

— Love, by Roy Croft - read at their ceremony