There is so much I love about Katelyn and Jake’s wedding at the Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara, Ca, that it is hard to choose just one thing to talk about! Katelyn and Jake had to switch wedding venues the week before the big day, after meticulously picking Elings Park in Santa Barbara, Ca because it “truly felt like home'“. With rain on the horizon, Chase Palm Park came to the rescue, and they were able to quickly relocate to a venue that had indoor opportunities. Having met in the entertainment world, these two paired their love of movies with their religions- creating an absolutely unique Mennonite / Jewish / Movie Lovers smorgasbord of a wedding day.

Chase Palm Park provided the quintessential Southern California vibe for their mixed ceremony; complete with palm trees and a view of the ocean. Katelyn’s Mennonite background is very “focused on the earth and peace” so they blended the soil from their two families homesteads into an olive tree. “We 're using the beauty of the location to highlight our desire to simply be present with life happening around us,” the bride Katelyn says, and I’d have to say even with a venue change, this was achieved. With Jake’s Jewish side, they celebrated their ceremony with both the signing of the Ketubah, being married under the Chuppah, and ending the ceremony with the stomping of the glass to insinuate a lasting marriage.

After the ceremony we had the chance to run down to the East Beach next to the pier in Santa Barbara, Ca, and capture some post-rain sunset portraits. Luckily the rain didn’t last too long, and provided a stunning backdrop of clouds for the rest of their evening.

I personally loved all the little personal elements that surrounded their wedding day, including the heartfelt note that Katelyn wrote on the tie that Jake wore all day. "The tie Jake was wearing was made by his best friend. She brought it to me the night before the wedding and had me write a note inside the tie. In fact, she made all the ties for the groomsmen.” They had popcorn passed around for cocktail hour, and a taco bar for dinner, creating a leisurely vibe for their guests during cocktail hour and dinner.

The night ended with a dance party that I’m sure will be remembered for ages at all weddings going forth. The twinkle lights inside the Chase Palm Park building added a beautiful flare to their wedding, and complimented their high in the air hora to start the evening off. From Grease duets, to a surprise ape suit visit, the evening was filled with laughter and hugs- exactly what Katelyn and Jake wanted for their Chase Palm Park wedding.

“Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and have a good time. Our priorities have always been on friendships and our relationships with our families. We’re excited to share the day with the people we care most about and spend time with them.”

— Katelyn