A Classic Country Club Wedding in Santa Barbara With a Coastal Flair

Sparks flew when Kianna Lassiter and Hayden Adler met at a mutual friend’s barbecue in the summer of 2017. After discovering that they shared many common interests and lived within walking distance of each other, the two of them started spending a lot of time together, which quickly escalated to a full-blown romance. 

While they were dating, the couple planned a trip to Cabo San Lucas in 2020 to celebrate Kianna’s birthday. During an intimate dinner at Nobu, Kianna and Hayden decided to watch the sunset from the restaurant’s deck. That’s when Hayden asked a very big question. “Kianna is very observant, so I had to go through great lengths to conceal the surprise, including cryptically asking her questions to design her perfect engagement ring,” Hayden reveals.

To celebrate their engagement, the pair made lunch plans with Kianna’s family at Montecito Club in Santa Barbara, California. Little did they know it would be the place where they would cross the first wedding planning task off their list. “After touring the property, we knew it would be the perfect venue to host the wedding we both envisioned,” the couple shares.

Since the duo got engaged during a global pandemic, mapping out a wedding that abided by all of the health and safety protocols was challenging at times for the couple. However, the overall experience was mainly a positive one for them. “We had a vision in mind and were decisive about our choices,” Kianna says. “It was also extremely helpful that Hayden was so involved in the planning process, so we definitely shared the bulk of the tasks.”

On November 13, 2021, Kianna and Hayden made their marriage official in front of 120 guests. Keep scrolling to see how their big day unfolded, which wouldn’t have been possible without planning by Array Creative Design and photography by Dani Toscano.

Since Kianna and Hayden agreed on an overarching concept for their special day, they were able to navigate the rest of the decision-making process with ease. “We wanted a romantic and elegant wedding with a coastal California, relaxed vibe,” the couple explains. To introduce their friends and family to that aesthetic, they mailed their invitations in green envelopes with an illustration of their venue painted on the liner.

Since Kianna wanted to embrace a glowing makeup look for her nuptials, she prepped her skin with Seabuckthorn Best Skin Ever cleanser, moisturizer from Living Libations, and Lotion P50 from Biologique Recherche on the daily. “I wanted to look like an elevated version of my usual look and be as natural as possible—but with a glow,” she describes. She brought a touch of drama with false lashes. To show off the back of her dress, the bride-to-be settled on a low chignon.

After getting glam, Kianna slipped on her long-sleeve crepe Pronovias gown with an open back and subtle embroidery. When she first saw the dress on the hanger at En Blanc bridal salon, however, Kianna wasn’t sold. Her reservations quickly subsided once she actually put it on. “Of all the dresses I tried, it was the most me: minimal with a hint of sparkle and glamour,” she expresses. “Most of the dresses I tried were pretty uncomfortable, and this one had a beautiful crepe material and was so easy to wear.” To tie her look together, Kianna wore diamond and rose gold hoops from her parents, blue Amina Muaddi slingbacks, and a sweeping veil from Nina Alterations and Tailoring. She also attached a small locket from her aunt to the inside of her dress. 

To fit the romantic and minimalist theme, Kianna carried a bouquet of white garden roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, hellebores, and peonies, which included a delicate touch of greenery. The entire arrangement was wrapped in silk ribbon.

With a new haircut and a fresh shave, Hayden was ready to get dressed for the occasion. He went with a classic look: a black tuxedo from The Black Tux, black dress shoes, and a black bow tie.

To spend some one-on-one time before the day’s events, Kianna and Hayden incorporated a first look into their schedule. Besides taking portraits, they also used the time to exchange private promises. “We were a bit too shy to share our vows during the ceremony, so we wrote each other letters and read them during our first look,” Kianna explains. “This was a special moment to connect and share our love for one another privately.”

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a chuppah engulfed in greenery and white blooms marked the location of the couple’s vow swap. For a cohesive design, ground arrangements with similar foliage bordered the aisle.

After Hayden walked himself down the aisle to “All My Love” by Led Zeppelin, Kianna and her father made their entrance to an instrumental version of “Runaway” by Kanye West, one of her favorite songs. “It was unexpected and really enhanced the cinematic vision of the ceremony,” Kianna notes.

The bride and groom had a traditional Jewish ceremony, which included rituals like wrapping the tallit and breaking the glass.

Once they officially became newlyweds, they recessed to another Kanye West song, “RoboCop,” which a string quartet performed.

Loved ones found their seating assignments on elegant signs decorated with sketches of sharks. “Kianna loves all things shark-related, so we named each of our dinner tables after a different species of sharks,” Hayden comments.

In lieu of the traditional guest book, friends and family snapped polaroids and shared well wishes with the couple in an album. 

Banquet tables wrapped in ivory linens and lined with neutral taper candles and lush centerpieces were scattered across the reception room. Elegant china and heavy pewter cutlery helped enhance the romantic atmosphere. As the focal point, tropical greenery towered over the setup.

The newlyweds selected a three-tier semi-naked cake adorned with flowers for their dessert of the evening. Each layer was infused with a different flavor: vanilla fiesta on top and chocolate sea salt caramel for the two bottom tiers.

One of the couple’s favorite moments from their wedding was listening to their friends and family deliver speeches. “They were all so thoughtful, special, and sentimental,” they reminisce.

Once Kianna and Hayden shared their first dance to “Power On” by James Blake, the two of them set aside a moment on the dance floor with family. While Kianna and her dad spun around to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, James swayed with his mom while “Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin played.

Before wrapping up the festivities, Kianna debuted her second look: a T-shirt dress from AREA with beaded embroidery around the neckline. To commemorate their new marriage, guests hoisted Kianna and Hayden up into the air during the hora dance.

After dancing the night away to all of their favorite tunes, Kianna and Hayden ended the night feeling so grateful. Not only did they get to spend the day with their loved ones, but they were also able to conceptualize an event that reflected their love story. “The wedding is about the bride and groom,” the couple says. “A lot of outside influences can get in your ear, but don’t let that overwhelm you or steer you away from the vision that you have for yourselves. You will be so happy in the end knowing that you did what was best for the two of you.”