The Brides Wore Custom One/Of for Their Santa Barbara Wedding Over Halloween Weekend

“Becca and I are both very thoughtful people, and we want to do things for the right reasons,” Caroline explains. “That definitely made the process more challenging, but the upside is that you end up with something you’re happy with and really reflects who you are, rather than just following traditions because someone says you should.”

Working with Jill Remy of Jill & Co. Events was helpful in guiding Rebecca and Caroline toward their aesthetic for the weekend. “It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without her vision, planning, and execution (and patience!),” says Rebecca. “She kept us organized and calm throughout the process; we often joked that she was our new therapist.” They share that neither of them even had Pinterest, so wrapping their minds around what they would want for florals or other decor elements was tricky. “Knowing our general vibe by that point, Jill suggested we work with Breanna Jane for our flowers, and they worked behind the scenes to design something she knew would resonate with us,” says Rebecca. “By the time we walked into the room for the floral mock-up, we were already looking at a design we loved: simple yet interesting, organic, and elegant.”

They also found an incredible creative collaborator in Patricia Voto, founder of One/Of. Caroline’s sister and mother had worked with her in the past, and her custom-first approach was a natural fit for the couple. “The challenge was that, in the beginning, neither Caroline nor I really knew what we wanted (a common theme in our planning process),” says Rebecca. “When Patricia asked for outfit inspiration or examples of looks I liked, I scoured the internet for photos of queer weddings and celebrities on the red carpet, but nothing felt quite right. Stepping into her atelier for the first time, I was greeted by a vibrant full-wall display of her selected seasonal fabric swatches, like walking into an artist’s palette come to life, which immediately got me excited. Any anxiety about what am I going to wear?! vanished when I saw her styles and the possibilities her designs offered.”

Rebecca worked with the designer to create two tailored looks for the ceremony and reception. “In the end, I couldn’t decide between two very different fabrics, so I had outfits made from both,” she says. “I wore one to the ceremony: a stunning green jacket with beaded brooches that made it sexy, feminine, and cool—I’d never seen anything like it before!” The second suit was made with a material Voto sourced that was actually used to create 1950s swim caps. “The stretch was perfect for dancing and celebrating because it was so comfortable, and the fabric was so cool,” Rebecca adds.

For her wedding look, Caroline wanted something “sleek and minimalist,” yet didn’t necessarily want to wear a dress the entire time. “Patricia and I came up with a hybrid look that could change midway through the day,” she explains. “My dress was made of separate pieces—a top, a cummerbund, and a skirt—rather than a continuous piece. I wore the full skirt to the ceremony, but afterward, I swapped it for pants while keeping the top and cummerbund. The outfit felt like me, which was exactly what I wanted—not just for the outfit but for the whole wedding.”

The brides had their “siblings of honor” as members of their wedding party and decided not to heavily dictate their looks. “We chose a common color—essentially a navy blue—and encouraged everyone to wear whatever they wanted in that general tone,” says Rebecca. “We embraced patterns, textures, suits, dresses, jumpsuits…as long as they were generally formal.” Caroline adds, “Our guiding principle—people should feel comfortable in what they’re wearing.”

Since the brides admit they don’t love being the center of attention, creating a good relationship with their photographer, Joel Serrato, was also important to them. “We expressed that kind of hesitation and reservation to Joel, and he decided, on his own time, to do an engagement photo session with us several months before the wedding,” explains Rebecca. “And yes, we were really pretty awkward for the first 20 minutes of that session, but by the end, we genuinely felt comfortable with Joel and had no hesitation at all for the wedding to come.”

The wedding weekend began with an intimate rehearsal at San Ysidro Ranch on a very special date: Halloween. “We didn’t do costumes, but there were some cute decorations around, and Caroline bought candy for all our guests because she has a huge sweet tooth,” Rebecca says. “The dinner itself was lovely, and afterward, we went to a speakeasy-style bar on the SYR property to grab drinks. The bar was decked out in Halloween decorations, which added to the festive atmosphere.”

The following day, almost half of their guests joined in for a pickleball tournament and tacos at Swell Athletic Club in Santa Barbara. “People ended up meeting a ton of others, and the laughter was nonstop,” shares Rebecca. “Honestly, I think I laughed more during the pickleball tournament than any other part of the weekend.” Later that evening, the brides and their guests convened on the rooftop of the Hotel Californian at sunset for the welcome party. “The welcome party was filled with more tacos and plenty of margaritas, which kept the energy high,” says Rebecca. “We both even took a tequila shot for the first time in years, encouraged by Joel, to take the edge off before all the guests arrived.” The night continued with an after-party at the Funk Zone. “Those can always be risky early in the wedding weekend, but Becca and I called it an early(ish) night, which I think was the smart choice,” says Caroline.

The brides-to-be started their morning with a run on the beach. “Honestly, I was a bundle of nerves all morning,” says Rebecca. “It was the most relaxed I felt the whole time.” After doing a first look together at the hotel, it was time to head to the ceremony. The couple says they put a lot of intention into making that part of the day feel like a reflection of them as individuals and a couple. “My aunt, who officiated the wedding, absolutely knocked it out of the park,” says Caroline. “I’ve known her my entire life, so having someone who has watched me grow from a baby to an adult—and who has been so welcoming of Becca into my broader family—meant so much.” Rebecca shares that the start of the ceremony allowed her to begin to truly enjoy the day. “Walking down with my parents, there was no choice but to stay present, and as we took our first steps, all the nerves turned into excitement in an instant,” she shares. “Making eye contact with friends and family as I walked down was one of the most unforgettable moments of the day for me.” In addition to readings from friends, the couple had an excerpt from the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality recited as part of the ceremony. “Justice Kennedy’s words are beautifully written, and I’m so glad we were able to incorporate a few lines from that,” says Caroline.

After saying “I do,” the brides spent some time alone together to take in the moment and change up their attire for cocktail hour, where unique signature drinks and a uni bar were provided. “I’m so glad we had that time to socialize—it gave us the chance to properly chat with everyone, have a drink, and settle in as the celebration kicked off,” says Rebecca. “The energy was electric—it was truly a party!” The newlyweds then joined guests in their reception space, which they share “truly sparkled.” Caroline adds, “The design and rentals for the space came together beautifully, thanks to both of our moms and Jill, who helped us achieve a look we were thrilled with.”

After a first dance to “More of You” by Chris Stapleton, the night continued with music by the JB Project from West Coast Music. “Generally speaking, the dance floor was on fire,” shares Caroline. “The band did a great job playing oldies and newer hits, with a big emphasis on songs that were hugely popular when Becca and I were in college. Our dance floor was packed the whole night, and it was a blast to see everyone out there.”

Reflecting upon the day, Rebecca says, “Through the process, we learned so much about our values and what we want to carry into our married life together, while also redefining traditions in a way that felt true to us. We hope our wedding not only served as a redefinition of norms for ourselves but also for our community, showing that it’s okay to do things differently. Letting people choose what feels right for them, rather than being told what to do, is a small but impactful takeaway that can inspire positivity far beyond just weddings.”