PHOTOGRAPHS: JOSE VILLA
Love STORY
Erika Kloumann and Gene Montesano exchanged vows at their Montecito estate about five years after their first date at an Old Spanish Days Fiesta party Gene held in that very spot. Gene proposed with an exquisite heart-shaped diamond ring from Gaspar Jewelers on Christmas Eve as they sat under the tree. “He said he had a little something he wanted me to open that night,” says Erika. The open-air ceremony took place before 175 guests amid a verdant landscape of flowers and masses of vines cascading over a vintage arbor. Afterward, cocktails were served in the citrus orchard before an exceptional multicourse traditional Italian feast. After dinner, guests entered a small, white cottage set up as a charming Italian pasticceria (“pastry shop”) filled with elaborate desserts, including fresh gelato from the groom’s company Black Market. Gene’s 1959 Triumph TR3 car was adorned with masses of flowers and a hand-painted Just Married sign, a perfect touch to a spectacularly idyllic celebration before the couple departed for their honeymoon to their home in East Hampton with their 3-year-old son, Lucca. A . N . Clockwise from top left: The
romantic ceremony site; Erika’s gown by MONIQUE LHUILLIER ; enter-
ing the estate; the blue bicycle was the first gift Gene gave to Erika and remains a symbol of their love; THE BUTTER END CAKERY
confection; HOGUE & CO.-
designed flowers on a table; the getaway car.
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