Spring UCSC Hay Barn Wedding

Spring weddings are some of my favorite. The hillsides are green, the in-season flowers are bursting with much needed color, and the sunshine is definitely not taken for granted. Laura and Matt lucked out with a gorgeous day for their April wedding at the UCSC Hay Barn. The Hay Barn is located on UC Santa Campus just next to the farm.

Laura’s smiles and sweet spirit filled the day just like the spring sunshine. I don’t think there was a single moment when Laura was not beaming! She prepared for the wedding at her Matt’s mother’s house overlooking the ocean in Santa Cruz. Matt’s sister showed me all the family wedding photos on the hall wall dating back several decades. There was a spot on that wall waiting for Laura and Matt’s wedding portrait too. Everyone seemed eager to welcome Laura into their family. Matt glowed around Laura and it was clear that the two helped each other be their best selves.

Laura and Matt found sweet ways to make the wedding uniquely theirs. Laura is a printmaking artist with her own design business, so she handmade all the stunning invitations and paper goods. She blended her talent for design and her role as a high-school teacher by creating a “lovefest trivia” game for her guests to play during the dinner reception. Guests were quizzed on little facts from Laura and Matt’s love story, which was a hilarious and endearing way to learn about their beginnings as a couple, aka Matt’s persistent pursuit. Matt may or may not have been a little embarrassed at his antics being exposed, but he was loved all the more because of it! You’ll spot the quiz and Matt’s reactions in this post!

My favorite part of the day was hearing and watching Matt’s children welcome Laura into their family with a tear-jerking speech. It didn’t feel like the day could be any more special than it already was, but then Matt’s eldest daughter spoke sincerely about how much Laura meant to her. She called Laura a best friend during her speech, and the whole room swelled with emotion.

I hope these photos give you an honest sense of the emotional story that unfolded on Laura and Matt’s wedding day.

Are you looking for a photographer who will document sincere emotion and real moments on your wedding day? Reach out to me today to see if I’m available on your wedding date! I’d love to hear from you.

Venue: UCSC Cowell Ranch Hay Barn

Design & Paper Goods: Laura Beach

Florals: Willi Wildflower

Coordinator: Lia Adams Events

Makeup: Jillian Wilkey

Hair: Nadia Markova

DJ/Live Music: DJ Jeffty

Spring UCSC Hay Barn Wedding / Barn Wedding Venue in Santa Cruz California