Jessica marries her best friend Aaron {Santa Barbara, California}

I’m coming up for air after being apart of my best friends wedding. Jessica Lewis, also a photographer based in Ventura, California, married her best friend, Aaron on what couldn’t have been a more perfect day in Santa Barbara on Saturday, March 7.

After a long day of travel, I arrived in Los Angeles where Jessica and the father of the bride picked me up.  We had one of those airport moments . . . lots of squealing, big, squeeze you I’m so happy to see you hugs.  We managed to fit my many bags into her car and off we went at about 100 mph to Ventura.  Being on east coast time, she settled me into my hotel and I got some rest before my duties of maid of honor began.  I woke up Thursday morning, it was beautiful, breezy and sunny.  The perfect way to start a California trip especially after being in winter for 3.5 months. {Not complaining} 😉

Thursday, we very willingly had facials, massages by Anna with Sweet Surrender Day Spa.   I LOVE this spa!  So cute and the owners are honestly just like the name of their business.  After our relaxing morning, we picked up linens for the reception and MonaVie for the tables.  The rest of the day was a blur of wedding day preparation with a great lunch at my favorite restaurant, Nature’s Grill with the bride to be. Occasionally, we would look at each other and just scream, “Oh my god, it’s HERE! The big day is almost here!!”

Friday was also a big prep day however we did sneak in a great hike where Jessica proceeded in climbing a vertical incline for 45 straight minutes while some of us chose not to kill ourselves.  That evening, Aaron’s family hosted a lovely dinner at Cafe Nouveau in Ventura.  This restaurant has REALLY amazing food and the ambiance is so cozy. After dinner, Aaron gave a toast to Jessica that literally blew me away. I balled! As a best friend, you’re always protective over your girlfriends heart and he put me at ease with his words of how he feels about her and the 7 years they have been together. I went to sleep that night so sure and so ready to stand beside these two as they begin a brand new journey.

Saturday was the big day and we all awoke to perfect blue skies.  We started the getting ready process around Noon and had so much fun in the girls room with hair and makeup.  Jessica and Aaron were married at  Alice Keck Park in Santa Barbara.  The song, Sea of Love by Cat Power set the tone as Jessica was walked down the aisle by her Dad. They shared vows in front of a small intimate crowd of their closest friends and family.  It was very emotional to be standing beside Jessica as she repeated her vows to Aaron and hearing Aaron speak to her and look into her eyes.  We celebrated their marriage at the Crown Plaza, Ventura.  We ate great food, gave great toasts, shared in a lot of laughs and danced for hours!

Being a part of a wedding for the first time has truly blown open many doors of perspective for me.  I have a new found respect for brides and have a newer, fresher perspective on the wedding day.  So much energy, heart and soul is poured into one day and I’m beyond thankful for this experience.

I did of course have my camera with me so to experience a wedding in the shoes of a maid of honor and to also capture these memories is a feeling that will always stay with me. Here are a few photographs from their truly amazing wedding day . . .

With a little help from the “bucks” we pulled off feeling energized!

Jessica smiled and laughed all day.  I’ve never seen her so happy!

When I asked Aaron how he was feeling on his wedding day, he so honestly said, “I’m at peace.”

And how could he not be as this pretty lady is the one that will hold his hand and be by his side, through this life . . .

Like I said at the end of my toast . . . To Jessica and Aaron, may your days be sweet, may you always speak from your hearts and may your friendship and love grow endlessly.  I wish you a million years of happiness!!