Katie and Brian | Santa Barbara, California Ryan & Denise Photography Blog | Phoenix Wedding Photographer | Scottsdale Wedding Photographer | San Diego Wedding Photographer | Portland Wedding Photographer

When we photographed Katie & Brian’s engagement session a year ago, it was a bit of an unusual situation. They had already booked a session with another photographer who had to cancel at the last minute. They had both just graduated from medical school (yes, BOTH of them) and were about to head out on a new assignment in Florida so they wanted to get their photos done as soon as possible. They had their hearts set on incorporating the beauty of Arizona since it was the place where they’d fallen in love. Luckily, we were able to squeeze one more session into our busy April wedding season and we’re SO glad we did! From the moment we met this sweet pair, we adored them! These two are seriously THE BEST! They’re funny and kind in a way that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside for hours after you spend time with them. And the way they love and care for each other is so genuine and pure. We had a BLAST spending time with them. When they mentioned that they hadn’t booked a photographer for their Santa Barbara wedding the following April, we couldn’t help but feel a little bit like a kid in gym class. Our little photographer hearts we quietly yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!” A couple weeks later, as they we settling into life as Floridians, we got an email from Katie saying how much they loved hanging out with us and asking if we’d ever consider coming out to California for their big day. Let me tell you, we did a pretty silly happy dance in response to that email. The rest, as they say, is history!

We’ve been anxiously awaiting their Riviera Mansion wedding day ever since and it did not disappoint! Spending time with Katie, Brian and their wonderful family and friends was truly a blessing. So many dreamy details and beautiful moments to capture! We’re in love with Katie’s classic style, her sweet “first look” with her brothers, the 1938 Rolls Royce that transported she and her Dad to the church and the sweet way these two lovebird looked at each other all day. To top it off, they enlisted the help of the amazing Vienna of ViaLouise Event Coordination to make sure every aspect of the day flowed like clockwork. (Seriously guys, we cannot tell you enough how much a skilled planner makes a difference in your day!) It was truly a dream friends and we’re so glad to be able to share some of our favorites with you all today.

(Please click here if you’d like to be notified when the rest of their photos are online.)