Sunsets and Serenades: Liz & Daniel's Montecito Magic at Bella Vista Estate

Love Story

Where do we start? So, Liz and Daniel met six years ago at a music event. It seems they had the same crew because they were introduced by mutual friends. And as fate would have it, they bumped into each other again that summer on vacation overseas. One thing led to another, and the rest, as they say, is history. “November will be 5 years that we’re together,” shares Liz. Time flies when you're in love!

The proposal really got us some shivers. Just imagine: “Daniel knew I loved Gossip Girl, specifically the ring Blaire got from Chuck lol. Our amazing friend & family jeweler, Desi of JustDesi Jewelry helped Daniel customize a special ring with inspiration from the engagement ring from the show. He wanted to go all the way with the vibes so he proposed to me at a rooftop bar in Brooklyn overlooking the New York City skyline with the Empire State Building in the back. He had flowers set out and music playing. I was really caught off guard, I even turned around at first because I thought I ruined someone’s proposal by getting in the shot lol!”

Planning a wedding is no easy task! Liz and Daniel were engaged in December, but they only started making real moves in April. They planned the whole shebang in around 4-5 months. Trust us when we say their event planner is a real-life fairy godmother.

“I really wanted something timeless & classy. I wanted to be able to look back on my wedding 5,10,20 years from now and still love every bit of it,” shares Liz. “I wanted to keep everything minimal and modern. Our venue was very polo vibes with beautiful ocean and Mountain View so I really wanted to let the venue be the showstopper. We also hosted our wedding in the afternoon, we started with cocktail hr. for drinks and appetizers from 2:30 to 3:30 pm then our ceremony, and then the reception with dinner! It was nice getting to see the sunset as the evening went on!”

Talking about what inspired her most, Liz said “Just getting to get creative, I didn’t really have much time to plan but I loved getting together all the little details that made it so special and personalized to us.”

Morning details

We bet you’re wondering about the invites. Digital is the new trend! They opted for online invitations via Greenvelope. Super handy and eco-friendly.

As for the rings, due to religious beliefs, they needed to be pure and simple. Liz chose a thin band to go with her sparkly engagement ring.

Speaking of bling, Liz wore a stunning tennis necklace and matching bracelet, gifts from her mother and father-in-law, and some radiant diamond studs that Daniel gave her on their first anniversary.

As for some wedding stationery: “We had a large welcome wall that doubled as a seating chart. We also had custom fans with our wedding date on them. We made custom wedding menus with black bows to match our theme. My event planner, Tal Orion & her team helped me design all the little details, and her business partner Ori, printed everything and made it all come to life!”

Bride getting ready

Liz's quest for the perfect dress took her to Panache Bridals in Beverly Hills. After trying about 15 different styles, she stumbled upon her dream gown—a Maria Farbini creation. “I actually picked a style I initially didn’t think I’d like, but once I tried it on I knew it was the one.”

As for her second dress (yes, she had two!), it was a fun, sexy gown from Serbian designer Lia Stublla. “I recommend for brides to check out this option as it’s a lot more affordable than bridal brands in the States”, she shared.

Liz’s final look was complemented by “earrings, a necklace, and one bracelet. My veil was thin & plain, cathedral length to blend in with the dress. I wore Amina Muaddi Heels”

During her preparations, Liz was also captivated by her bridal bouquet. Crafted with white roses with the stems exposed and wrapped in lace in the center, it was a floral masterpiece that complemented her entire look. The fragrance of the fresh blooms set a serene and romantic ambiance in the room as she readied herself for the big moment.

Groom getting ready

Meanwhile, Daniel looked sharp in a tuxedo from Suit Supply in LA. His getting-ready session was intimate, with just his dad, father-in-law, and best buddy by his side.

First Look

This is the part that gives us all the feels. Their first look took place in the courtyard of the main house at the Bella Vista Estate. After being apart for a week due to cultural reasons, that first gaze was electric. “This tradition has a religious meaning behind it but I love the build-up of excitement and emotions from being apart for a few days. It gives you a chance to reflect on all the changes that come with taking this big step,” mentioned Liz.

Daniel recalls, “Liz looked beautiful, I knew how much she was struggling at first to find a makeup artist and hair stylist to make her still feel like herself so seeing her glow with how much she liked her look made me really happy.”

And Liz? “I was so excited to finally see Daniel! It was nice to get to see him all dressed up and this time for our special day!’

Photoshoot before the ceremony

They took advantage of the estate’s gorgeous architecture for their pre-wedding photoshoot. The archways provided the perfect backdrop for their editorial-style shots. “I felt that the location for photos was perfect,” happily shared Liz.

Ceremony

The ceremony had all the right feels, taking place in the venue's scenic backyard. Liz recalls, “We had lined the isle with fluffy garden-style florals that matched the posts of my huppa. I wanted to keep my ceremony as clean as possible so that the focus would be on the views around us. We also had potted florals at the base and handed out personalized fans, umbrellas, and rose petals.”

The sound of "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez filled the air as Liz walked down the aisle.

A particular highlight was the evident emotions of their friends and family. “They were cheering us on the whole time! It felt so nice knowing how loved we are.”

To their delight, many guests had taken the liberty to capture spontaneous moments on their cell phones. “After the wedding, we got so many texts with videos of our ceremony from so many different povs. It was so nice to look back on everything!’

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Golden hour was in full swing as the newlyweds took post-ceremony shots next to their floral-adorned huppa and with a vintage Porsche decked out in white blooms. Talk about riding in style!

Wedding Venue & Decor

Can we just say how much we adore their venue choice? Bella Vista Estate in Montecito is an absolute dream and the funny part? Liz found it on TikTok! Their decor was minimalist with white, black, hints of gold and sage playing the starring roles.

Reception

The first dance song was "Do 4 Love" by Snoh Allegra. But there’s a twist! They danced solo, away from the crowd. Also, kudos to their caterer, Next Door, for serving up late-night burgers and fries that had everyone raving!

Liz and Daniel’s big day was nothing short of magical, thanks to their dream team of vendors. From the uber-professional photographer to the visionary videographer and the detail-oriented event planner, everything was spot on.

“I LOVED every single one of them. My photographer was the most professional and organized photographer I have ever gotten to work with. The same goes for my videographer, I recommend him to everyone, he has such a vision and you can tell he is passionate about what he does! Our caterer was hands down the best! Everyone is still messaging us and calling us about the food at our wedding! My event planner is #1 she gets the job done no matter how much time she has to plan. She sticks to your vision and even if it seems impossible she finds her way. The best part about her is the day of the wedding, she is so quick and strong she keeps everyone in line and prevents even the slightest mistakes from happening,” shared Liz.