A bride and groom walking at the Belmont El Encanto

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Interview With The Bride

FROM THE BRIDE // From the moment you step onto the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, you can feel its magic. The stunning ocean views to the bungalows set among the lush green grounds set the tone for a fairy tale setting. As we walked under the wisteria-covered arbor surrounding the lily pond, our 12-year-old pug dove in for a swim with the turtles. We knew right then and there that this was going to be the place where we would get married.

“The Secret Garden”, Fran’s favorite childhood book, inspired our wedding theme. Some details we loved included the antique key name tags placed upon moss-covered tables, the roses that dangled from every chandelier, and the table numbers made from selected novels from Fran’s antique book collection.

Our favorite moment of the day occurred before the ceremony while we were alone and blissfully unaware that we were 30 minutes late to our own wedding. We found a baby grand piano situated in the quiet hallway beside the ballroom. This is where we spent time sipping champagne and talking while Fran played the piano. That moment was special as it allowed us to pause, appreciate the moment, and take everything in, advice that we would give to every bride and groom.

Our wedding was a dream come true and we felt the love all around us. It was the perfect day to mark the beginning of our life together. Our secret garden wedding is perfectly summarized in the quote by Alfred Tennyson, which we displayed at the entrance of the lily pond. “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.”