Sometimes you meet someone for a reason – and for this Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding? Samantha and Tim met not knowing that the timing they met would be one of the things that they loved most about their relationship.

When Samantha first was introduced to Tim when they were in middle school, it wasn’t love at first sight with her older brother’s friend; she had no idea she’d be walking to meet him at the end of an aisle. Yet as they grew up, he stuck around, forming a relationship with her parents and family as he stayed friends with her brother; her perfect guy right under her nose. After he moved away to San Diego State University, Tim and Samantha saw less and less of one another, until one day they lost contact.

Yet when they went home after graduating college? They finally got to know each other for one another– not just Samantha’s older brother’s friend and Tim’s friend’s younger sister. As they got to know one another, they quickly fell for one another as they spent dates talking about who they had become and what they planned for their future.

Tim got to see the way that she cheered on everyone around her, and supported them deeply, something reflected in her career and future plans to get her masters in behavioral psychotherapy and work in behavior intervention for kids with disabilities and autism. And what Samantha learned about Tim? He was the guy who was thoughtful, who worked hard every single day, and who cared deeply about everyone that he loved.

Whether it was lounging around the house, watching sports, going out to the movies or dinner and drinks, or going out to a SDSU game to support Tim’s alma mater, there wasn’t a single moment that wasn’t made better by just being around one another– and that’s when Tim knew that he had to propose and make sure that he never had to spend another moment without Samantha. He knew he’d want to continue letting her know every day that he loved her and supported her in her dreams.

And when they got to Vegas? It was the perfect time to propose. As Samantha and Tim got ready for dinner, he had the ring box, waiting for the moment where he knew it would be just right. As he started off by showering Samantha with compliments about who she was and how beautiful she is, Samantha had no idea what was coming until he bent to his knee and finally asked her to spend the rest of their lives together.

As they looked for a venue, they knew that they found something special with the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe; the moment that they stepped out of their car at the venue, it was almost like Samantha’s father was standing there with them. With the Spanish-Californian architecture that reminded her of her father’s Spanish art collection, it was perfect. And the wedding that they’d have there? It would be one that seemed like a perfect fairy tale, created with the help of Krissie of White Lace Events.

When the day came for this Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding, it seemed like everything fell into place the moment that Tim saw Samantha walk into the ceremony. As she floated down the aisle with her brother and a miniature of her father’s face and heart pendant included on her bouquet by Parker & Posies, the way that Tim looked at her was loving and like he couldn’t look away even if he had to. A vision in white, with hair and makeup by A Toast to Beauty, it seemed as if the world had stopped, with Tim and Samantha being the only two left in the world.

After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate– after all, they had just officially become Mr. & Mrs.! As they entered the reception of their Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding in a grand entrance that rivaled that of the Vikings home opener, they were surrounded by love, and an absolutely beautiful venue that was filled with stunning and extravagant floral arrangements, delicious treats by

One incredible moment for us was seeing how the pair danced with their family members to songs spun and played by Still Listening Productions, and showed the close bonds that they shared. Whether it was seeing Samantha pull her mother and uncle for special dances, how Tim spun his mom around the dance floor for their first day, or simply even their first dance, the love and emotion that they felt was palpable to anyone there at this Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding.

Getting to listen to the toasts from their maid of honor, family, and friends just showed us exactly how special these two are– and how lucky we are that Krissie of White Lace Events introduced them to us. Whether it was seeing how Samantha’s maid of honor teared up throughout her speech, unable not show how utterly happy she was for her best friend, or from her brother as he recounted their relationship, and his friendship with Tim, everything we learned about Tim & Samantha just made us love them a little bit more and feel so grateful that we got to photograph not only a beautiful Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding, but two beautiful people, inside & out.

To Tim & Samantha; may you spend the rest of your lives as happy as you were on the day you were married and continuing to be one another’s biggest cheerleaders. What you two share is so incredibly special, from the memories of Samantha’s father and your childhoods, to the life that you’ve created together today. We are so thrilled that we could be a part of your stunning and sweet Inn at Rancho Santa Fe wedding, and hope that your photos and memories created by your wedding day will be something you treasure for the rest of your lives.

Want another incredible slow-burn romance and stunning wedding venue? We cannot recommend Nairi & Alexander’s Westin Carlsbad wedding blog enough. Can’t get enough of couples who’ve known each other for years, and love to support one another? Try reading Jack & Hannah’s Torrey Pines Reserve engagement blog– and keep an eye out for their wedding post after their wedding next year!