From Dance Partners to Soulmates: Kyla + Gus’s Romantic Wedding Recap
Kyla and Gus’s wedding day was nothing short of magical. For me, this celebration felt deeply personal—I’ve known these two since we were kids dancing together at The Rage. I still remember when they were first partnered in a dance production over a decade ago… and now, all these years later, I got to capture their wedding day. Full circle is an understatement!
Rehearsal Dinner at Westlake Village Inn
Ellie (my amazing associate content creator) kicked off the weekend by capturing their beautiful rehearsal dinner at the Westlake Village Inn in Southern California. It was such a sweet and intimate night surrounded by their closest friends and family. You could feel the love and excitement in the air—there were nerves, happy tears, so many hugs. The vibes were everything and it was the perfect start to the weekend.
Getting Ready at the Villas at Westlake Village Inn
On the morning of the wedding, I arrived at one of the stunning villas at Westlake Village Inn, where Kyla was getting ready with her mom, Gus’s mom, her sister Sophy, and her bridesmaids. The energy was calm and joyful, and it felt so special to be there with people I’ve known since childhood.
The glam was led by the insanely talented Chelsea Durkee (@beauty.by.chelsearoach), whose work has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, and Allure. Watching her work her magic on Kyla (who already looked like a real-life Barbie bride) was such a treat.
There wasn’t enough room in their van to the venue, so I drove Sophy and Skylar over myself, which was such a fun ride. Sophy’s now a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (casual!!!) and she’s filming a new Netflix show (America’s Sweethearts), so we had a lot to catch up on.
Before the Ceremony: Dream Team & Details at Spanish Hills Club
When we arrived at Spanish Hills Club (@spanishhillsspecialevents) in Camarillo, it was already being transformed into the most stunning celebration space. I had toured this venue previously during the Visit Camarillo brand trip, but seeing it come to life for Kyla and Gus was truly something special.
The vendor team brought their A-game:
📋 Coordinator: @onesweetdayevnt – Chelsea was incredibly organized and thoughtful, making the day run flawlessly.
💐 Florals: @thirtyonepetal – Taylor in incredible and every arrangement was pure perfection.
📸 Photographer: @alexanderjorden – captured everything with such artistry and had such fun energy all day.
🎥 Videographer: @alexmartinzz – creative, professional, and super collaborative.
🎶 DJ: @bouquetsound – kept the energy high all night.
🍰 Cake: @teenahssweets – beautiful and delicious.
We started the day capturing some sweet shots of Kyla and her girls in their matching PJs, and of course, we filmed a few TikTok transitions (because you know I’m always down for those!). After everyone changed into their gowns, Kyla did first looks with her dad, brother, and grandpa—so emotional and heartfelt.
One of the most tender moments came just before the ceremony. Kyla and Gus had written each other letters and I got to quietly capture both of them reading them. Gus was brought to tears, and it was one of those moments that reminded me why I love doing what I do.
Before guests began arriving, I got to catch up with some familiar faces from my childhood—including Gus’s groomsmen, who I also danced with growing up. Their cousins are part of the band R5, which made it even more fun to reconnect and be part of such a full-circle celebration.
The Ceremony: Emotions, Vows, and a Whole Lot of Love
The ceremony took place outdoors on the lawn overlooking the scenic Santa Rosa Valley Mountains at Spanish Hills Club, with sweeping views and the dreamiest golden hour light. Kyla walked down the aisle with her dad, and it was impossible not to get choked up—Gus and his brothers were all teary-eyed watching her.
He struck the perfect balance of humor, nostalgia, and sincerity. He spoke about their journey from childhood dance partners to soulmates, weaving in personal stories and meaningful reflections that had everyone laughing one moment and tearing up the next.
Then came their vows—one of my favorite parts to capture. Kyla and Gus wrote their own, and they were beautifully intimate and raw. You could hear their voices crack as they promised forever to each other, and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. It felt like the entire space was holding its breath, witnessing a love story that had already stood the test of time and was now entering a new chapter.
From the joy in their eyes to the support of their families and the laughter sprinkled throughout, it was a ceremony I’ll never forget. It was deeply personal, full of meaning, and a true reflection of who Kyla and Gus are—tender, joyful, and forever connected.
Reception Vibes: Energy, Emotion & A Packed Dance Floor
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, we captured dreamy couples’ portraits across the Spanish Hills property. Kyla was glowing (seriously, she looked AI-generated—like a real-life Barbie bride), and Gus couldn’t stop smiling.
The reception kicked off with a grand entrance and first dance, followed by heartfelt toasts from Kyla’s dad, her sister Sophy, and Gus’s three brothers. One moment that stood out was when Kyla presented her mom with a replica of her wedding bouquet—such a thoughtful tribute to the mother of the bride, who is often overlooked on the big day.
Then came the cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss, and a dance floor that stayed packed all night. With so many dancers in the room, the energy was next-level. Gus and his cousins had the crowd hyped the entire time, and it was truly a blast to capture.
They closed the night with a private last dance and a sparkler sendoff—pure magic.
Why I Do What I Do
I left this wedding feeling emotional, fulfilled, and honestly just so grateful that this is my job. I delivered their content before they even woke up the next day (because I don’t mess around 💁🏻♀️), and Kyla sent me the kindest message about how thankful she was to have me there—not just as a content creator, but as someone who made her feel calm, supported, and hyped the whole day and later posted the sweetest review:
“Valentina and Ellie are AMAZING! I highly recommend everyone, whether you have social media or not, to use her service. She took incredible behind the scenes footage of the entire day and got it back to me the morning after the wedding! I was able to post and share footage right away. All of the moments she captured are my favorite videos from my wedding. Not only did she capture all of these moments, but she went above and beyond her job and was so calming and helpful to me and my wedding party the entire time. She brought an amazing, positive energy with her and I loved having her around every second. I didn’t realize how important it was and how much it would mean to me to get everything back so quickly and to be able to share it right away! Watching all of the moments she captured takes me right back to the moment and I think that’s why I feel that everyone should use The Social Vow to capture their special day. Ellie captured my rehearsal dinner and she is amazing and incredible as well! Thank you so much for Valentina and Ellie at The Social Vow! All of these videos and photos are priceless and I’m so happy you were there with me to capture it all!”
Kyla and Gus—thank you for letting me be a part of your day. This was truly full circle, and I feel so lucky I got to capture it all. I love you both and I’ll be watching your love story unfold forever.
VENDOR TEAM
Couple: @kylalaufer + @gusdestjeor
Venue: @spanishhillsspecialevents
Coordinator: @onesweetdayevnt
Photographer: @_citizenofearth
Videographer: @alexmartinzz
Content Creator: @socialvow
Florals: @thirtyonepetal
DJ: @bouquetsound
Rentals: @jstimelesspieces
Cake: @teenahssweets
MUA: @beauty.by.chelsearoach
Officiant: @rikerlynch
Let’s Capture Your Love Story ✨
If you’re dreaming of having every candid, emotional, and unforgettable moment of your wedding day captured in a way that feels real—I’d be honored to be a part of it. Whether you're getting married at Spanish Hills Club, anywhere in Southern California, or planning a destination celebration, The Social Vow is here to make sure you can relive your day instantly and forever.
I’d love to capture your love story next.
