Sarah Gore, daughter of former Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore, had an impromptu wedding about a week ago, and spoke to PEOPLE magazine about the decision to marry under a Torrey pine tree. Gore married Patrick Maiani in Carpinteria, California.

“It was such a happy day,” she explained. “My husband Patrick and I chose the spot in Carpinteria because there is an enormous Torrey pine tree there, in a beautiful field next to a coffee shop and a bike shop.”

“We loved the energy of the tree and what it represents for our marriage, with strong roots and shade – and warm drinks just steps away!” she added.

Patrick Maiani is a pianist from Montecito. Their chance meeting tells a fun story.

“Patrick and I met at a real-estate open house on the street he grew up on, in June of last year. I was getting to know the neighborhood, walked into this little house, and he was there, sitting on the couch,” Sarah Gore says. “Once we started talking, we didn’t want to stop. We took a walk to get coffee, ended up having dinner and afterwards dancing at the Biltmore [Hotel], where he sat down at the piano and played – he’s an amazing pianist and songwriter.”

The two became engaged at Christmas this past year, at Saddle Rock–on a local hiking path called Hot Springs Trail.

“Just this past week,” Sarah shared, “we decided to opt for a small ceremony under the Torrey pine, and took just a few days to pull it together. Our friend Kathy Corcoran lent me her beautiful wedding dress, which had been made for her years ago. It’s gorgeous and happened to fit me just well enough.”

Patrick’s profession meant he knew just who to call for a spur of the moment officiant, too.

“Patrick has played piano at many ceremonies, so he asked his friend Sarah Farmer, whom he’d worked with, to officiate,” she said. “Only people who could come on short notice joined, so we hope to find a nice way to share the moment with more family and friends in the future.”

“Patrick’s family, and my mom, dad and sister, were able to make it in town – and for us, the ceremony was just perfect. Once we decided to do it, it came together like magic,” she added.

Congratulations are certainly in order for Sarah Gore and Patrick Maiani–as well as to Al and Tipper Gore, who have now married off their youngest daughter.

It’s interesting how someone with the means of Al Gore’s daughter would choose to wed in such an unassuming, simple wedding ceremony in a place filled with meaning rather than with luxury and fanfare. It seems love really does trump all else when it’s the real thing. Kudos to them for their refreshing style.

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