A Fashion Show Inspired Every Decorative Element at This Hot Pink Santa Barbara Wedding

It was love at first sight when Cierra O’day Johnson spotted Roman Tyukayev through the window of a coffee shop. While Cierra was shopping in Newport Beach with a friend in 2018, she couldn’t help but notice Roman working as the barista. Cierra knew she had to strike up a conversation, so she immediately entered the store and ordered a latte. “I proceeded to flirt and returned frequently that summer as a ‘returning customer,’ even though the shop was quite out of the way from where I lived,” Cierra admitted.

All of her efforts eventually paid off. In April 2021, Roman and Charlie Hourston, founder of jewelry brand Charlie Beads, staged a fake photoshoot for her next collection, giving Roman the perfect cover story to surprise Cierra with a proposal. “Since we had modeled for Charlie Beads before, I didn’t think anything of it,” Cierra says. “We also had a trip planned for New York the following month, and I was convinced it was going to happen then.” After snapping photos, Charlie asked the couple questions about one another while recording it for a video. Roman concluded the segment by asking Cierra the ultimate question.

The pair always wanted to exchange vows on the coast, and since Roman grew up in Santa Barbara, it quickly became their top choice of wedding locale. While touring potential venues, they fell in love with Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm. “It was filled with beautiful coastal views and a gorgeous greenhouse,” Cierra describes. “There was such charm with the animals roaming the farm. It didn’t feel like a cheesy wedding venue.” What sealed the deal? “We knew for certain it was our dream venue when a cow stumbled over to us with ear tag ‘11,’ which is my family’s lucky number,” the bride reflects.

From there, the duo worked with Wild Heart Events to execute their vision, which Cierra had been fine-tuning since the moment she got engaged. Instead of the typical bohemian beach wedding, the bride wanted to make a splash by painting her nuptials in a wash of hot pink. She drew inspiration for her eye-catching aesthetic from Jacquemus Spring/Summer 2020 runway show, which featured a hot pink runway that cut through lavender fields. The couple also included personal touches throughout their big day. “We tried to incorporate little and big details all around that reflected us, from the lingo on the signage to the basketball hoop on the seating chart display,” Cierra says.

On August 14, 2022, Cierra and Roman introduced their 130 guests to their colorful nuptials, which Sophie Lin Berard captured on camera. Ahead, every stunning detail.

On the big day, Cierra wore a sleek wedding dress designed by Katherine Tash, choosing a silk off-the-shoulder gown with pleated detailing and a gathered waistband. “I didn’t feel like I was wearing a wedding dress; I truly just felt like myself,” the bride shares. “It was timeless, chic, sexy, and effortless. I was beaming the first time I tried it on. I just knew.” Since Charlie was such a big part of the couple’s engagement, Cierra accessorized with a chunky pearl necklace and matching earrings from her business, Charlie Beads.

After slipping into her silk number, the bride shared a first look with her bridesmaids, and Sophie Lin Berard photographed their reaction in real time. 

For her hairstyle, Cierra rocked a low ponytail with extensions, which was tied back with a pearl-studded ribbon that her mother made. “I always dreamed of having insanely long hair,” Cierra notes. “My go-to hairstyle is usually a slicked-back bun, so I thought having my hair back would feel very comfortable…It also was the best decision because dancing was super easy, which was very important to me.” 

The bride completed the beautification process with a dewy, glowy complexion that highlighted her eyebrows. “I was teased growing up for having such thick eyebrows,” Cierra discloses. “I plucked them, waxed them, and pulled on them. Once I turned 20, I completely fell in love with them. I can’t imagine not having such prominent brows.” She also used products from her own beauty company, Boyish Beauty. “It felt surreal being able to use my own products on my wedding day,” she expresses.

Another defining moment was Cierra’s whimsical bouquet, which featured pink peonies, ranunculus, and feathers.

Cierra had one specific instruction when it came to her bridesmaids’ dresses: They could wear anything they wanted as long as it was pink. “I wanted the girls to feel comfortable and themselves, so they all had their own unique pink dresses they picked out,” she explains.

Roman spent the morning playing pool with his groomsmen before changing into his attire. He sported a custom Zegna double-breasted suit jacket and pants, a J.Crew oxford collared shirt, and Maison Margiela Tabi boots. “The suit was a significant moment for me,” Roman reveals. “Naturally, we all have role models and heroes growing up that we looked up to and tried to emulate, and mine just so happened to all wear double-breasted suits. There is a certain regality to it, and I’ve always been drawn to it.” His salmon pink pocket square also coordinated with the theme. 

The groomsmen all matched in black slacks and linen button-down shirts, which was “perfect for looking laid-back yet put-together,” the couple says.

As a nod to the Jacquemus runway, the couple walked down a hot pink aisle, which was lined with color-blocked arrangements of hydrangea, larkspur, and other blooms. “From there, we worked hand-in-hand with Boy Who Cried Flowers to create bright, impactful floral moments for the floral arch at the end of the hot pink runway,” Cierra mentions. Their extravagant floral arch overlooked a scenic backdrop of the ocean. 

Cierra made her entrance to “All of the Lights (Interlude)” by Kanye West, with her father on her side. Since the couple decided against doing a first look, they saw each other for the first time during the bride’s processional.

During the service, the pair exchanged personal promises. “We didn’t share any information with each other when writing them, but they ended up being around the same length,” Cierra points out. “Our vows really complemented each other, which felt super special since we hadn’t compared notes prior to reading them in front of everyone.”

After locking lips, the newlyweds walked back up their hot pink aisle while “Can’t Believe the Way We Flow” by James Blake guided the recessional. During their first few moments as a married couple, Cierra and Roman took portraits with one another and their wedding party before continuing the rest of the celebration.

In keeping with their color-focused theme of the day, the couple selected a pink seating chart to guide guests to their reception tables. The best part? The setup included a pink basketball hoop and matching pink basketballs for guests to shoot while finding their assigned table number.

The reception took place in a greenhouse, and the transparent interior accentuated the striking ceiling installation—which was composed of oversized disco balls, cloud-like arrangements of colorful flowers, and chic light fixtures—above the pink and white checkered dance floor. At the end of the dance floor was the couple’s sweetheart table, which was framed with their ceremony arch.

The vision for the tablescapes was modern with a pop of color, according to Cierra. Pink floral centerpieces topped a pink bubble wrap runner, which was a last-minute addition when the couple’s original linens didn’t arrive on time. “They ended up bringing the textural and funky moment we never knew we all needed,” Cierra states. Rose-colored corduroy napkins and retro-like table numbers also added a splash of color. 

Cierra and Roman were the first ones to hit the checkered dance floor, and they spun around to “One” by Johnny Cash for their first dance. Then, the newlyweds listened to speeches from their friends and family, which was one of the most special memories for the bride.

The pair took a quick break to snap portraits in a vintage car before returning to the venue for a night of dancing. As the sun started to set, a canopy of string lights created an illusion of a starry night inside of the greenhouse. 

The bride also paused to revamp her wardrobe. For the second half of the reception, she wore a pink ruffled mini dress by Kathryn Bowen and pink Versace heels. “I knew I wanted an outfit change to dance in (and just for the spectacle, of course),” Cierra shares. “I saw this Kathryn Bowen dress and immediately fell in love. I felt like a ballerina all night in it.” The bride made her entrance in the getup to “One, Two Step” by Ciara and donned the ensemble while cutting into the cake, a homemade creation by Roman’s mom.

On the dance floor, Dart Collective played all of the couple’s favorite tunes. The newlyweds spent the rest of the night dancing with their friends and family—Cierra even shared a special moment with her brother, which consisted of doing impromptu choreography that was fully in sync. Overall, the most magical part of their special day was “seeing everyone you hold dear in one place—from all walks of life—all together,” according to the couple.