Two Architects bring Wabi-Sabi Style to the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara, California

Two architects, two coasts, and one goal: a destination wedding that felt intentional, transportive, and worth the journey. After exploring options from sleek L.A. hotels to coastal estates, the moment we stepped into the jungle-draped grounds of the Four Seasons The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, we all knew—it was the one. With its lush, overgrown landscaping and architectural patina, the property gave us the outdoor ceremony space and hospitality the family craved, without compromising on magic.

The ballroom, however, told a different story—one of outdated interiors and limitations. We draped the space from floor to ceiling in soft taupe velvet, carpeted it in ivory, and layered in translucent materials—glass, mirror, acrylic—to create a glowing, light-reflective world. Every detail echoed their love of natural imperfection and refined restraint. The result was a ceremony framed by California’s wild elegance and a reception that felt quietly extravagant, elevated, and entirely their own.

Photography — Jose Villa
Planning & Design — The Nouveau Romantics
Venue — Four Seasons The Biltmore 
Video — For the Love of It
Florals — Studio Mondine