Dorothe & Manny 

August 4

Sonoma, California 

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

It was the property where I grew up. I knew that I wanted a rustic, beautiful setting outside that was personal, so our ceremony took place in my mother’s rose garden in the backyard. 

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. I loved the colors of my wedding: cobalt blue, turquoise and navy blue

2. The Magnums of Blue Farm Pinot Noir, Carneros

3. My table numbers

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding you can’t stop thinking about.

While walking down the aisle, listening to my stepfather play the song “Blackbird” on his classical guitar,  I can’t forget seeing my husband for the first time that day. 

Audrey & David

October 12

Malibu, California 

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

We knew we wanted to get married in a beautiful outdoor location with plenty of trees, lush surroundings and booming with personality. As soon as we saw the gigantic tree with the twinkle lights in the middle of the reception deck, we both fell in love and couldn’t think of any other place to get married. Also, the location was quite intimate and private; it was perfect for our guest size and wedding theme.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

I loved our grand entrance as I approached the reception area, I breathed in the looks of the dessert table, the centerpieces, the flowers, the twinkle lights hanging from the tree and most importantly, I looked at our beautiful family and friends and felt the overwhelming and contagious excitement and happiness all around. I also loved our first look because it gave us some private time to loosen some nerves before the big ceremony. And even though I didn’t think I could get through my vows (I was so choked up and crying as soon as he started saying his), it was still a very memorable moment of the day seeing him look at me with so much love in his eyes and hear him speak with so much love in his voice.

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding you can’t stop thinking about.

I remember loving the dancing part, especially when the DJ played “Gangnam style” and Bryce, one of the groomsmen, just busted out doing the dance moves in the middle of the dance floor. Everybody got so into it, copying every move he made. People warned me that most people don’t dance at weddings, but it seemed like everyone at that point was on the dance floor. It was so much fun!

Ineca & Bobbie

July 7

Sebastopol, California 

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Q & A with the Bride:

1.What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The vineyard view. The moment we stepped onto the property and caught a glimpse of the breathtaking view of the surrounding vineyards, we fell in love with it. We automatically pictured our guests during dinner – laughing and enjoying themselves, while overlooking the sun setting in the vineyards, sipping a glass of wine and chowing down on some comfort food in wine country.

2.Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. Our guestbook: We asked guests to write down their advice, notes and wishes on a hanging tag. The tags were then hung in a rustic keepsake box that we now have displayed in our home.
2. Our DIY favors:We filled small kraft paper bags with caramel popcorn and stamped the front with a personalized ink stamp that read “Thanks for sharing in our sweet beginning.” What we loved most about this detail was the fun we had making them – an assembly line of three family generations, including Grandma!
3. Our cakes: We wanted something simple that looked like a real cake you wanted to take a bite out of (and they were delicious!). We displayed three small buttercream frosting cakes with a few fresh dahlias on various cake stands we found at a vintage shop.

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding that you can’t stop thinking about.

Our first dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing.” It was a really fun and relaxed moment in the day. Every time I hear the song, it brings me right back.

Melissa & Derek 

September 22

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon, California

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know that it was the one?

The privacy! The fact that it was quiet, peaceful, rustic and within it contained a million opportunities to personalize it to our hearts desire. Later, we discovered this world of opportunities also served to complicate since it was abounding with possibilities! Along with the generous help and endless creativity of our day-of-coordinator, (although she was truly so much more to us–rather our heart, our hope, our ever present help!) we were able to narrow down how everything would be set up and flow, thus creating the intimate and close family feeling that we desired from the bottom of our hearts.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. Our “U” shaped table with 100 of our closest family and friends.

2. Our escort card display that had one perfect photo for each and every guest. 

3. Our “backdrop” for where we said “I do.” Our “out-of-this-world” florist once again created a “structure,” which contained strings of test tubes hanging down, where our guests could place flowers. When our guests arrived, they came to a table where they could pick a flower, which had a tag pre-tied on it, and write a note, prayer, advice or anything they wished on it. They were able to stand where Derek and I were about to stand and place their flower.

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding day that you cannot stop thinking about.

Our “first look”–it was heavenly; it was the closest thing to perfection I have ever experienced; it was utter bliss. I actually had not been feeling well that day, so seeing Derek and being under HIS protection, care and comfort was better than any medicine or vitamin I could have ever consumed. Looking forward to that moment, while getting ready, was the only thing that helped me to overcome the sickness I felt, and it definitely did not disappoint. Those moments of calmness and peace. Well really, there are no words loud or big enough to capture the emotion, the joy and the excellence of the moment. As Jessi had told us the night before, “You built this rollercoaster, now is the time to get on and enjoy the ride.” It was the best ride of our lives, and it is only just the beginning.

Mandy & Adrian 

September 22

Tahoe City, California 

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Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The fenced-in outdoor lawn and stately pine trees. It was also two blocks from Skylandia Park, which is a  Tahoe City Public Park with Lake Tahoe as a backdrop.

2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

Our DIY bunting flags, our DIY programs and menu cards, courtesy of my sister & maid of honor, and our cupcakes and macarons instead of a traditional wedding cake.

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding day that you cannot stop thinking about.

Exchanging our vows with each other! We had each selected our own vows and waited to share them until our wedding ceremony. We were both very overwhelmed with emotion and tears of happiness came pouring out!