"Like so many queer millennials, we met on a dating app!" wedding photographer Juliette Laura says of how she met her future wife—and business partner—Liz Walsh. The two met in January of 2019 at a wine bar for their first date. "It was quite literally love at first sight—plus a quick check for astrological compatibility! Taurus and Leo!—and our love for each other continues to grow everyday."
Two years after making their relationship official, Liz proposed to Juliette—and Juliette proposed right back a year after that. "I proposed to Juliette first at home in Seattle at a favorite park of ours," Liz explains. "Juliette quickly realized this was no ordinary date, when there was no food in the picnic basket—just a bottle of natural wine and a ring!"
Juliette's own proposal to Liz happened in September of 2022 in Central Park. Photographer Kristen Marie Parker, who was there for the initial ask, again captured this special moment—and was, of course, chosen as their wedding photographer.
Knowing they wanted a coastal wedding, Liz found their dream venue, Switzer Farm in California, on Pinterest. "Switzer Farm is a restored Victorian home on the Mendocino coast, and we instantly fell in love with the architecture, the landscape, and the idea of a destination wedding for us and our families," Liz says. "It's also a private residence, and the owner Gary Weiss has poured so much love and attention into every detail of the home. We booked it sight unseen."
The couple booked the wedding for August 3, 2024—their five-year dating anniversary. With the venue driving the aesthetic, Juliette stepped into her natural "creative director" position and created a custom toile that was used as a motif throughout the summer weekend. She and Liz took on the main parts of wedding planning, while Zoë Braga stepped in to coordinate a month out.
The weekend began with a "sexy siren" rehearsal dinner. Juliette chose a Khaite mermaid-esque dress with an antique lace scarf that she purchased on their joint bachelorette trip to Cape Cod, Anita B. shell earrings, and Jacquemus heels. Liz opted for an off-the-shoulder linen dress from Diish, styled with handcrafted silver shell earrings.
The next day, the brides got ready with Nicole Erickson of Radiant and Rich and put on their custom Cinq wedding dresses. "Juliette saw her dress while we were shooting Cinq at bridal fashion week and literally cried behind her camera," Liz shares. "After a few customizations, it was perfect." Liz fell in love with the pin-tucking texture of Cinq gowns and opted for a gown with a basque waist, adding a train and singular pearl straps to the design.
After dinner, Juliette changed into a Danielle Frankel look with Khaite kitten heels, while Liz's second look was a mini dress by Sandy Liang, paired with earrings by the same designer.
On the bluff overlooking the ocean, the two brides walked themselves down the aisle. Juliette's little brother, Ben, officiated the ceremony, surrounded by florals from Muse. "Juliette's brother, Alex, spoke about us and our relationship, and my best friend, Maddie, read an excerpt from the Supreme Court ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges," Liz recalls of the service. "Both of these speeches/readings really added to the significance of the ceremony and made us feel especially emotional."
Once officially married, the newlyweds sat down at one long table for the alfresco dinner reception. Delicious pizzas from Uneda Eat were served alongside hand-selected bottles of wine from Fogeater.
Of course, Juliette couldn't help but step behind the lens for some of the evening. "I spent time taking photos with my late great-aunt's film camera," she shares. "It was fun to capture some memories myself on a camera that means so much to me and my family!"
After the reception, the brides quickly ran off to bed. "Your girls needed their beauty sleep in preparation for our morning-after brunch and wine tasting," Juliette reveals.
The next morning, the newlyweds hosted a Parisian garden party brunch for their family with edible goodies from The Waiting Room. Liz wore a Tove Studio dress, calla lily earrings from Anita B., and yellow Prada loafers. Juliette had on a Cecilie Bahnsen look with toile Dior heels and Liz's wedding day earrings—"perks of a lesbian relationship!" she exclaims.
Once brunch concluded, all the wedding guests reconvened for a wine tasting on the Switzer porch, complete with the leftover pizza and wedding cake from the night before—an idyllic conclusion to a California wedding weekend.
