When a mutual friend set up Briana Lehman and Jordan Stone on a blind date thinking they’d be perfect together, they had no idea that agreeing to the evening would eventually lead to another pivotal affirmation in their future. “After just one night, I knew Jordan was everything I could have ever wanted and more,” gushes the bride. Briana and Jordan fell head over heels straight away. “I knew that I was going to marry Briana after our first date,” affirms the groom.

An expeditious three-month engagement followed a magical proposal beneath the stars, and planning was in full force. “I wanted Briana to have the wedding of her dreams,” reveals Jordan. “So I let her make a lot of the decisions as far as a color scheme, flower arrangements, and the cake.” Other aspects of planning such as choosing a location and menu were decided together. “We had spent dating anniversaries and birthdays at Bacara Resort & Spa,” describes Briana,  “so we knew that we wanted to get married there. It’s a special place for both of us.” With its central location for guests traveling from both Northern California and Los Angeles, the Santa Barbara resort was perfect.

The bride opted for a classic wedding theme with a soft, romantic color palette to capture the beauty of the natural landscape. Floral arrangements created from rose blossoms in shades of white, cream, nude, and pink highlighted the clear blue skies, rich green grass, and the incredible ocean view of Briana and Jordan’s alfresco nuptials. From the “floating” candles suspended by shepherd’s hooks lining the aisle to the ethereal gowns worn by the bridal party, every amorous detail contributed to the seaside charm of the ceremony site.

Briana was gleaming in a white strapless mermaid gown featuring a Chantilly lace bodice with intricate crystal embroidery; her long brunette locks were pulled to the side in loose flowing curls. Nine bridesmaids were resplendent in floor-length sheath dresses in blush chiffon with their tresses styled in relaxed curls that cascaded effortlessly down their bodices. Waiting at the end of the aisle for his beautiful bride, Jordan looked dapper in a classic black suit and tie; his nine groomsmen standing beside him in complementary attire.

“Walking down the aisle with my dad, and knowing that the love of my life was waiting to marry me at the other end, was a moment I will never forget,” recalls Briana. When she approached her groom standing beneath a white chuppah with a pendulous crystal chandelier overhead, he was overjoyed by her effortless beauty and radiance. “Being introduced for the first time as husband and wife with our friends and family cheering for us brought the biggest smile to my face,” the bride expresses. After the birth of their baby boy and years of everlasting love, the couple was wed at last.

While 200 of Briana and Jordan’s closest friends and family were enjoying the cocktail hour on the patio, the newlyweds took a moment to themselves in the reception room to reminisce, enjoy each other’s company, and admire the final product of their hard work and planning. Beneath twinkling lights and white open-air canopies, tables lined with embroidered linens displayed towering sterling silver candelabra-style centerpieces. Each arrangement radiated with bountiful arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, lisianthus, dahlias, and European garden roses in whimsical hues of cream, faded lilac, and blush. “Everything looked more perfect than I could ever have imagined,” says Briana.

As the sun began to set, guests gathered for a sit-down dinner and toasted to the newlyweds. “Both Briana and I enjoy good food,” begins Jordan. “So we made sure that all of the food including the appetizers, main course, and dessert reflected our favorites.” Even a candy bar station that included whirly pops, rock candy, and other delectable confections offered up the couple’s beloved treats as a take-home gift for guests. The cake was a four-and-a-half foot tall masterpiece with seven tiers of red velvet and carrot cake; fresh roses in shades of pink and vanilla embellished three of the tall tiers.  

All in all, the couple couldn’t have pictured their day going any better. From the captivating ceremony to the ravishing reception, Briana and Jordan cherished having all of their friends and family together in one place to celebrate their love for one another. “I thought that I would be nervous or anxious,” says Jordan. “But really I was just excited to get married!”