Laura + Dean by Samantha Elizabeth Creative

We really let the venue and the ocean lead the way.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Our life together is built around curiosity, creativity, and shared joy—in short, we love to have fun. Dean is a breathwork instructor working in treatment centers and I am an assistant to a producer. Outside of work, we’re both writers, devoted cat lovers, passionate travellers, and serial hobbyists. Lately, Dean has been restoring and selling vintage furniture, while I have fallen into the world of cookie decorating. We make it a priority to try new things, follow our creative instincts, and keep life feeling exciting and full.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Like many modern romances, we met on Hinge—though Dean had been sitting in my inbox for quite some time. I hesitated to “swipe right” at first because he shares the same name as my dad, but I figured, if all the Michaels of the world could do it, so could we. Our first meet up was a simple park date that, due to some poor map calculations, ended up being nearly an hour outside of Los Angeles. Dean was gentle, silly, and immediately genuine; I was apparently funny, “cool”, and insightful. There was an immediate ease and sincerity between us that just felt natural.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue). .

We really let the venue and the ocean lead the way. Timber Cove’s natural beauty set the tone from the start, so our approach to styling was about enhancing what was already there rather than overpowering it. The cliﬀs, the water, and the sense of remoteness did most of the talking.

One of our most meaningful visual elements was the wedding cake. It was baked by my mother using a beloved family recipe, then decorated by our florist, M Flora, with figs and seasonal flowers. Figs hold deep significance in my Italian family — my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father have all lovingly cultivated fig trees — so the cake became a perfect blend of personal, organic, and a little bit funky.

The venue itself was incredibly special to us. From our windows, we watched whales and seals in the water and sunsets that felt like they were happening at the edge of the world. We spent the weekend immersed in a part of California that still feels wild and untouched. That natural beauty, paired with a relaxed, almost camp-like sense of intimacy, felt like a true reflection of who we are. The Sonoma Coast ultimately set the stage for a weekend that felt grounded, comfortable, and deeply memorable.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

As a Type-A planner, I genuinely thrived during the planning process—but I can’t recommend working with a great wedding planner enough. Having that support allowed us to focus on the parts we enjoyed most—like finding vendors and creative partners—while our planner (Kaci of XOXO Weddings!) handled the more stressful logistics. One of the most rewarding aspects was getting to seek out artists who truly aligned with our vision. Dean and I spent time crafting vision boards, imagining, and refining ideas together, which became one of our favourite parts of the process. There aren’t many opportunities in life to plan an event that brings together so many forms of art—from music and florals to photography, videography, and overall style. We took advantage of the opportunity.

For couples starting their planning journey, our biggest piece of advice is to create a clear vision board together. Dean and I talked things through extensively, but it wasn’t until we began visualising everything—mocking things up and seeing how our ideas actually worked together—that we were truly on the same page. Having a shared visual reference made decision-making easier and ensured that what we imagined was aligned and brought to life.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We were incredibly lucky with our vendor team — every single person showed up with care, talent, and intention. Our wedding planner, Kaci, and our photographer, Sam, were truly the backbone of the weekend. Kaci handled the logistics with such calm and precision that we were able to stay present and enjoy every moment without worrying about what was happening behind the scenes. Sam was just as essential. We knew we wanted candid film photos that felt authentic to our wedding experience. She captured the weekend exactly as it felt—natural, intimate, and joyful.

Our videographer, Jake, was another standout. We found him, surprisingly enough, through TikTok and were drawn to his emotive, raw approach to film. He generously recorded everything, including digital footage of our ceremony and speeches, and preserved the moments we’ll treasure forever.

The Timber Cove team also deserves a shout out—they were warm, attentive, and deeply invested in the wedding going oﬀ without a hitch. Everyone, from the servers to the front desk attendants, was warm and kept our guests happy and content.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

My wedding dress was designed by Danielle Frankel, and it was very much my dream dress — something I chose intentionally and splurged on. Because of that, I approached the rest of my oumits more creatively. Many of my additional pieces were thrired or handmade, which allowed them to feel deeply personal rather than overly polished. One of the most meaningful elements was the lace scarf I wore. I had a very specific vision for it that I couldn’t find anywhere online, so my mother and I spent time together sourcing the lace and designing the piece ourselves. The final scarf was beautifully constructed by One Blushing Bride, bringing our shared vision to life.

Less than a year before the wedding, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed, leaving a large scar on my neck. Creating something to wear around my neck — something designed by my mom and me and made with such care — felt incredibly symbolic. It wasn’t about covering anything up, but about celebrating my body and what it had been through. It was like a continuous embrace.

Dean’s outfit journey had its own arc. About six weeks before the wedding, he realised the suit he had purchased felt too formal and stiﬀ — it just wasn’t him. That realisation sent us on a hunt for the right suit about 6 weeks before the wedding, one that felt comfortable, personal, and true to his style. Though stressful, cutting it down to the wire, Dean ultimately landed on a chocolate-brown suit that felt less stuffy and more distinctly him. Finding something that finally felt right made all the diﬀerence.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

I told Dean very early on exactly what kind of engagement ring I loved, and it just so happened that the design was intended for stacking. About two years into our relationship, Dean surprised me with the first piece of that stack — a quiet, intentional gesture that immediately let me know he was serious about marrying me. The ring was made by Sofia Zakia, a designer whose work feels delicate, ethereal, and otherworldly in a way I’ve always been drawn to.

My wedding band is slightly more substantial — bolder and less traditional, with a variety of stones embedded throughout the band. I loved the idea of pairing something timeless with something unexpected and non-traditional.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

The venue was our number one priority from the very beginning. We both feel most at ease in nature, and we knew we wanted to be surrounded by it throughout the weekend. Finding a place that felt grounded and comfortable was essential, especially because weddings can be anxiety-provoking by nature. Choosing to have our wedding at Timber Cove was a splurge, but by far the best decision we made.

Everyone says it for a reason—don’t skimp on your photographer! We knew these images would be what we carry forward long after the weekend was over, so it was important that they felt honest to who we are and the spirit of the day itself. We were drawn to photography that captured candid emotion and movement rather than anything overly staged. Looking back at our photos now doesn’t just remind us of how the weekend looked—but it brings us right back to how it felt.

Was there a favorite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of the most meaningful moments happened quietly on the morning of our wedding, before anything oﬃcially began. I had drafted Dean a handwritten letter, and Dean had picked a beautiful flower for me from the property. We sat alone on the rocks, looking out at the ocean, taking in the calm before the day unfolded.

Hearing Dean’s vows was another moment I’ll treasure forever. They were heartfelt, clever, and incredibly personal. I’ve never had anyone write something so thoughtful and profound for me before. Standing there, listening to his words, felt like a true declaration of love — overwhelming in the best way — and something I’ll never forget.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married means knowing we don’t have to do life alone. It’s having a true partner — someone who has your back, walks beside you, and shows up in both the ordinary and the hard moments. For us, it’s about choosing each other fully: the joyful parts, the complicated parts, and everything still healing. It’s the quiet certainty of knowing we always have our person.

That meaning has shown up in so many ways already — through my cancer diagnosis, travel, uncertainty, and the often heavy weight of the world—in every moment, we’ve had each other. To us, marriage feels like a radical act of love: seeing the whole person in front of you and choosing them again and again.

We also love creating small rituals that make everyday life feel special. Almost every night before bed, our cat Kitty Girl climbs onto our chests, and we sing her little theme song. It’s a simple routine that brings our tiny family together — and reminds us that love lives just as much in the small, silly moments as it does in the big ones.