The Brides Wore Custom Harris Reed and Danielle Frankel to Their Dinner-Party Wedding in Santa Ynez
Music manager Haley Evans and songwriter Ilsey Juber were first introduced at a pre-Grammys party in Las Vegas on April 2, 2022. Beneath the sparkling backdrop of the Chandelier Lounge, the two share that there was an instant feeling that couldn’t be denied. “I called Ilsey my wife from that night on,” says Haley. A few days later, the pair met for a proper first date at Mother Wolf in Los Angeles, and their love story really began.
Just over a year and a half later, Ilsey would ask Haley to call her something else instead: her fiancé. On December 23, 2023, she had Haley join her on a cliff overlooking the ocean at the Post Ranch Inn Big Sur. “It’s our favorite place in the world, and we go once a year around Christmastime,” she says. When they arrived, Ilsey popped the question. “Somehow, Ilsey tricked me into wearing the same all-white attire she was wearing for a ‘sunset photoshoot,’ and I was still completely clueless,” says Haley. The newly engaged couple joined their families the next day to all celebrate at a Christmas Eve engagement dinner at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito.
Both brides wanted to be very involved in crafting their wedding weekend, and made an effort to put enough time aside to plan for their May 17, 2025 celebration at Grassini Family Vineyard in Santa Ynez, California. “The planning process was both beautiful and stressful,” shares Haley. “We really wanted to create a weekend that felt truly us, and luckily with the help of our wonderful planner, Emily Gaikowski of Heartthrob Events, it was absolutely perfect.” Celebrations would kick off with a rehearsal dinner and welcome party at The Genevieve Hotel, where guests would have their chance to wear all-white at a wedding. The following day, the wedding ceremony, dinner, and dancing would take place at the vineyard. Their vision for their nuptials was a “wedding-themed dinner party” with family-style pasta, “always-flowing natural wine,” and a sense of community and unity. The brides also wanted to tie in the spirit of Santa Barbara wine country and would finish off their festivities with a honky-tonk after-party at Maverick Saloon.
When crafting their looks for the wedding weekend, both Haley and Ilsey turned to stylist Sophie Strauss for guidance. “Thank God for my amazing stylist who really helped me build my own bridal style,” says Haley. “Choosing a dress proved to be tricky, because there were truly so many beautiful gowns that I loved so much.” She ultimately found her dream halter Danielle Frankel dress at Loho Bride in Los Angeles. “I loved the Danielle Frankel Sasha from the moment I put it on,” she adds. “It made me feel elegant and beautiful, but still comfortable and very me.” She also wore a tulle veil from the brand—“the perfect finishing touch to add some extra drama with the length and delicate lace.” Haley complemented the dress with Neous shoes and “light and natural” makeup by Emily Lynn, and would later end the night in a Marina Eerrie dress paired with a custom off-white hat and cowboy boots to match the honky-tonk aesthetic of their after-party.
Ilsey wanted to wear a suit for her wedding day that would offer the perfect balance of masculine and feminine. “One of my favorite designers is Harris Reed, and I just knew he would be the right person to bring my vision to life. We did most of the designing remotely, but then I got to make a very special trip to London to do the final fitting in his studio.” The resulting garment was a cream suit with wide lapels and a lace train. She says of the design process: “It was truly so magical.” For her beauty look, Ilsey turned to her inner circle. “One of my best friends in the world is an incredible makeup artist named Jessy Clark,” she shares. “There is no one else in the world that I would have wanted doing my makeup. She always makes me feel beautiful.” The songwriter’s friend Steven Ford styled her hair for every event. “I’ve worked with him for many years and it was wonderful having him there,” she adds. Strauss and James Ford helped tailor and style her other outfits, including the embroidered, fringe jacket-and-pant ensemble she donned for the after-party. “It was really fun to put together that look from vintage pieces,” she shares.
While guests would wear all-white for the first day of events, the brides decided to stand out in black. “We found this gorgeous black Saint Laurent floral blazer and flared trousers that were perfect for the rehearsal dinner,” says Ilsey of her look. Meanwhile, Haley wanted to wear something that felt more suit-inspired and classic for the night. “I’ve always loved the black, floor-length Ralph Lauren Kristian silk tuxedo dress, and it was perfect for this occasion,” she says.
The wedding day arrived, and guests entered the ceremony space along a pathway created by olive trees accented with Moroccan rugs. Florals were placed at the ceremony site to appear as if they were sprouting out of the ground below. At the end stood a giant oak tree where the brides would exchange their vows while their friend (and Ilsey’s manager) Evan Taubenfeld officiated. After their dogs made a trip down the aisle, Ilsey walked with her parents as her father, guitarist Laurence Juber, played “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles. “My parents walked me down the aisle together, and I was crying before I even got a glimpse of Ilsey,” shares Haley. “I want to relive the ceremony over and over and over.” One special highlight that was revealed at the ceremony? “I surprised Haley with crystals from the chandelier we had met under at the Cosmo,” says Ilsey. “I tracked them down through the hotel, and hung them throughout the trees at the ceremony site.” Both brides say they felt overwhelming feelings of peace, love, and joy throughout the ceremony. “Reading our vows to each other was definitely my favorite part," shares Ilsey. It’s cliché to say that it was the happiest moment of my life, but that’s the truth.”
The couple took a moment alone together as cocktail hour kicked off and guests mixed and mingled. Then, the dinner party went into full swing. “Our reception was amazing, complete with that long, family-style dinner, tear-jerking speeches from our immediate family, and of course, lots of dancing,” recalls Haley. With so many musicians at one event, it was no surprise that many friends and family members took to the stage to perform throughout the night. Ilsey and her father even played “In My Life” together as an alternative to a first dance. The party later headed to the Maverick Saloon, where a honky-tonk band Pull The Trigger played until 2 a.m. Instead of exchanging rings, the newlyweds were first in line with the on-site flash tattoo artist to put each other’s initials on their ring fingers. Haley says, “It was a perfect way to end the night, complete with late-night pizza and line dancing!”
Reflecting on the day, the brides emphasize the gratitude they feel for their circle and their vendors that made the weekend so special: “Love is enduring, and joy is magnified when shared with those we cherish.”
Photo: Jes Workman1/62We really wanted our save-the-date to have a vintage-postcard feel paying homage to Santa Ynez, the beautiful location we had chosen. The valley was a big part of Haley’s childhood and holds a special place in both of our hearts.
Photo: Jes Workman2/62The Genevieve Hotel hosted our rehearsal dinner and welcome party, as well as our closest friends and family for the weekend. We decorated this library with family photos going back generations.
