Ariana Garner Benjamin Hunt)

from Wedding Guide 2023 - Coastal View News

Annamarie Rivas Alexander Gonzales)

MAY 21, 2022

NOTES ON THE DAY…

IS THERE A MOMENT FROM YOUR WEDDING THAT STANDS OUT?

We did a log sawing tradition called Baumstamm sägen. This German tradition is celebrated directly after the ceremony. The newlyweds are expected to embark on their first challenge as a couple, mainly cutting a log of wood in half. The bride and groom must saw through the log together to prove their strength and teamwork as a couple. Our experience with this tradition stands out the most. At first it was difficult – our initial reaction was to argue about who was pushing and pulling properly. Our guests were laughing and cheering as the saw was bending incorrectly, watching us struggle to complete the challenge. It took some communication and support from our guests we were able to cut the saw, and everyone roared with excitement!

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION VENUES?

We spent some time researching venues in the Santa Barbara County area online and visited a few. While talking with friends about different venues we were visiting, one mentioned that they knew a family in Carpinteria that rented out their estate as a wedding venue occasionally. He then put us in touch with them and once we saw the property instantly knew this was the perfect space for our wedding. It was on an avocado orchard overlooking Rincon Point.

DISCUSS YOUR ATTIRES, COLORS AND WEDDING THEMES.

Our theme was rustic with a little bit of country. The guys wore bolo ties, and we encouraged cowboy boots and mustaches! Our colors were sage green, which were our bridesmaid dress colors. White and deep rose were our other colors. We also had a live painter there who painted our ceremony as it was going on, and then she finished it within the next six months and sent it to us.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON WHAT CAKE AND FOOD YOU WERE GOING TO SERVE? DID YOUR GUESTS ENJOY YOUR CHOICES?

Our food was an easy decision as my husband loves tacos. They are easy and you can’t really mess them up! I also like quality ingredients, so we were able to lock down our friends at Slate catering who did our tocos, rice, salad, chips, salsa and guacamole. The avocados used in the guacamole were picked from an avocado orchard.

Our cake and wedding cookies were made by my aunt Kelley Garner, who is an amazing home cook/ baker and holistic nutritionist. Like I mentioned, I love good quality ingredients and my aunt knows what ingredients to choose and how to use them to make the goodies taste delicious. Our cake was a four-tiered red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting. She also made many dozen chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, butter cookies and Italian wedding cookies. She baked gluten-free version of each of those as well.

DID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CHANGE HOW YOU PLANNED YOUR WEDDING OR INFLUENCE THE DATE YOU CHOSE?

The pandemic did not influence our date or location. We always wanted an outdoor wedding, which allowed for most everyone to feel safe and enjoy their time!

HOW DID YOU INCORPORATE YOUR OWN PERSONALITIES INTO THE WEDDING DAY?

Yes definitely! Ben and his groomsmen wore bolo ties, mustaches and cowboy boots which is unique to Ben’s country living’ style. For me personally, I changed into a juicy track sweatsuit during the reception so I could be comfortable and stylish in all white still! I love to be comfortable, and I also was a big Juicy Couture track suit girl growing up!

ADVICE FOR COUPLES PLANNING A WEDDING?

The advice we would give to other couples is to do your wedding your own way. Not everything has to be super traditional. You can add your own flare and personality into the ceremony. We stood at the alter on non-traditional sides. We sawed a log in half in front of our guests right after we said, “I do.” Have fun and make it a unique, fun and memorable experience.