The Barns at Cooper Molera | Lori & Patrick

Lori and Patrick's wedding started quiet, with a dress hung in a window looking out over the water and a table full of white roses waiting to become bouquets. Their bridesmaids toasted with champagne before anyone even had their hair done, laughing in the kind of easy way that told me exactly how this day was going to feel.

Lori got ready in a beach house with floor to ceiling windows, the ocean right there the whole time. Someone zipped her into her gown, her hair was swept up and curled, and she slipped into a pair of strappy sandals right before we headed out. Every bit of it caught that same soft daylight coming off the water.

Down the hall, Patrick was doing the same thing in his own way, cufflinks, a laced up pair of boots, a navy three piece suit that his groomsmen helped him settle into. Calm, a little bit of nerves, a lot of grinning.

We stole the two of them away for a first look inside, warm wood paneling behind them, and the second they turned around and saw each other the whole room felt different. Hands over mouths, laughing, holding on tight before a single guest had even arrived.

The ceremony was set up on a stretch of rocky Monterey coastline, waves breaking turquoise against the rocks, tall pampas grass lining the sandy aisle. A guitarist played while everyone found their seats, the whole scene framed by nothing but sky and ocean.

Lori and Patrick said their vows with that same ocean roaring behind them, hands held through every word, and when they finally kissed the whole beach erupted.

Afterward we pulled the wedding party out onto the rocks for portraits, the bridesmaids in dusty blue passing bouquets bursting with orange, pink, and white, laughing between every frame. Then it was just the two of them, walking the rocks hand in hand, stealing kisses with the surf crashing behind them in the best afternoon light.

As the sun moved lower, the celebration carried into The Barns at Cooper Molera, the historic barn venue tucked into downtown Monterey. String lights went up over long farm tables, wildflower centerpieces sat in mismatched glass jars, and a bar built out of old wine barrels waited for the first round of toasts.

We snuck out for a few more portraits at golden hour, a bright teal door and a fence heavy with pink roses giving us one more backdrop before the reception really got going. Back inside, glasses were raised again and again, guests laughing over dinner under the string lights.

There was cake, there was dancing, there were neon hearts glowing against the old barn wood well into the night, everybody out on that floor by the end. Lori and Patrick, thank you for having me for a day that started with the ocean and ended with all of your people dancing around you. It was such a joy.

The Dream Team

• Venue: The Barns at Cooper Molera
• Photography: De Joy Photography
• Catering: Events by Classic
• DJ Entertainment: Lauren Wahl & Bill Walker
• Hair: Kristina Katai
• Makeup: Kristina Katai