"You are a babe" was the message content creator Lou Martines, opens in a new tab first received from Mac Kaufman, who works in sales for Red Bull, back when they were both undergrads at the University of Arizona. "I kinda blew him off for a bit," Lou recalls. "I eventually texted him if they were having any parties one weekend, and he screenshotted the text to brag to his friends and still has it to this day. We met shortly after that, and I took him to my winter formal, and we were completely obsessed with each other from that moment on."

After eight years together, Mac proposed to Lou at Crystal Cove Beach in Newport Beach, California, on October 5, 2024. They were on the sand with Mac's brother and his wife, taking some photos, when a stranger came up to them, complimenting how good they looked and asking to snap a few himself. "I was totally confused, going back and forth in my head about whether this was the moment, and then I kept noticing Mac was panicking because, as it turns out, this wasn't part of the plan," Lou shares. "A few seconds later, I spotted a hidden photographer emerge by the cliff, and before I knew it, Mac turned to me and got down on one knee."

Once engaged, the California-born-and-raised couple knew they wanted an outdoor venue in their home state. Quail Ranch, opens in a new tab in Simi Valley was the perfect hidden gem for their July 24, 2026, celebration. Cara Goset, opens in a new tab of Everly + Co, opens in a new tab. brought their natural vision to life, while photographer Camille Caroline, opens in a new tab and videographer Ezra James, opens in a new tab captured every special moment.

For her ceremony look, Lou turned to Katherine Tash, opens in a new tab for a semi-custom dress that felt true to her. "It was made from the most beautiful vintage taffeta, a lightweight fabric that draped effortlessly and flowed into a long, elegant train," the bride shares. "She even hand-sewed the neckline herself, softly rounding the top and lowering it just enough to create the exact silhouette I had envisioned."

On the wedding day, Lou got ready with hairstylist Mariah Montes, opens in a new tab, who pulled back the bride's tresses to show off her vintage cathedral-length blusher veil.

After walking down the aisle with her father, Lou exchanged vows with Mac under an old oak tree, surrounded by florals from Soirée, opens in a new tab. "The ceremony was my favorite part of the entire day—standing in front of our loved ones," the bride recalls. "And Mac's uncle was our officiant, which made it even more special and personal to us."

Following the ceremony, guests made their way to the upper lawn for cocktails. As the sun began to set, everyone transitioned to the reception, tucked behind the historic Spanish-style ranch house. The newlyweds chose to sit with their entire wedding party, which ended up being one of their favorite decisions. "It gave us the chance to relive the ceremony together and celebrate every moment throughout the evening," Lou explains.

The new Kaufmans then cut their wedding cake and changed for the after-party, DJed by their close friend. The group closed out the night at the newlyweds' hotel bar, reminiscing and celebrating into the early hours.