While celebrating her boyfriend’s birthday with a romantic staycation at a luxurious seaside resort in Santa Barbara, Lindsay Marcus soon realized that he had a different set of plans in store for them. Cameron St. Hilaire surprised his beloved with a proposal on a bluff overlooking the ocean just as the sun began to set. The beautiful moment was also shared with their loved ones, thanks to Cameron’s thoughtful planning. “After I said yes, I realized that my parents and Cam’s family had surprised me and were on the balcony of a nearby suite watching the full moment unfold,” tells Lindsay. “We all had dinner together to celebrate!” 

Settling on the locale for their wedding day was met with ease. “Santa Barbara has been a very special place for us because this is the first city we have lived as a couple,” explains Lindsay, also pointing out that their selected site was also where Cameron proposed. “So when it came time to decide on a venue, it only seemed right for us to complete this circle!” 

For most of the yearlong planning – or “31 years” as Lindsay jokes, she relied on her mother and her event planner. Cameron left the majority of the decisions up to them, but was heavily involved in the music and food selections. Lindsay chose a timeless color scheme of white and gold and wanted an abundance of flowers arranged by The Hidden Garden incorporated into the design. She came across a photo of a striking Lucite chuppah and drew inspiration from that concept. “With our ceremony taking place next to the ocean, we felt that Lucite pieces were fresh and current and allowed our chuppah to really be our focal point,” illustrates the bride. 

The big day had come, and it was time for the couple’s “first look.” “I was pretty calm while I was getting ready, but as the day went on, I got progressively antsy,” Lindsay admits. “Once I saw him, all of the butterflies that I had started to feel went away, and I was so excited to get married!” As for her groom, he confides that the moment he saw her will be forever ingrained in his mind. “She looked gorgeous.” 

A three-piece wedding band played acoustic versions of contemporary hits as guests were seated for the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. The aisles were bedecked in frothy arrangements of ivory florals, as was the chuppah, while guests were seated on cream-cushioned chairs with acrylic backs as not to distract from the stunning ocean view. Lindsay gracefully made her way down the petal-strewn aisle on the arms of her parents. She wore a breathtaking fitted off-the-shoulder lace gown featuring a sheer bodice and held a nosegay of vanilla garden roses with gardenia foliage. 

“Santa Barbara has been a very special place for us because this is the first city we have lived as a couple, so when it came time to decide on a venue, it only seemed right for us to complete this circle!”

Attendees enjoyed a lovely alfresco cocktail hour made complete with a live jazz band personally selected by the groom. For the reception, the bride had envisioned a classic, romantic vibe, and she was filled with excitement when she and Cameron saw the room before loved ones entered. “It was truly spectacular and exactly what I had envisioned and more!” remembers Lindsay. The ballroom wedding was bedecked with sheer ivory draping and opulent masterpieces of white orchids, roses, and hydrangeas, and illuminated with assorted candles. A grandiose flower wall served as the backdrop for the band, whose members all wore smart black tuxedoes. 

Friends and family found their table assignments by way of personalized stir sticks placed in crystal Champagne flutes which had been placed on a mirrored table with fresh blooms and dreamy candlelight. To add depth to the space, both round and rectangle tables were adorned with an eclectic mix of vessels and a variety of high and low floral designs. “The centerpieces were grand and lush!” describes the bride. 

Lindsay and Cameron had tirelessly prepared for their first dance, which was professionally choreographed. “We practiced perfectly leading up to the wedding. Still, I asked Cam if he wanted to practice one last time before we went out, and he very confidently told me that it wasn’t necessary,” explains Lindsay. “When it came time, Cam messed up the steps in the first two seconds and the rest was a disaster, but we laughed through it and agree it was one of our favorite moments from the evening.” 

The newlyweds were elated with the result of their celebration and say they are grateful they had made the decision to stay by each other’s side throughout the party. “We are so happy we stuck to this idea because we have all of the same amazing memories and experiences to look back on,” shares the groom.