1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?
I’ve always wanted an outdoor, garden-style wedding so when we walked onto the grounds of the Old Whaling Station, we knew we had found our own “secret garden.” It was the perfect backdrop for an intimate, outdoor fete — romantic flowering gardens, winding brick pathways and a historic Adobe house that exuded vintage charm. This was the only venue we visited, and we knew right away it was “the one.”
2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?
1. All the succulent details: glass vessels filled with air plants and succulents hung from the arch; the succulent bridal bouquets and groomsmen boutonnieres; and the wedding favors my mother-in-law planted herself.
2. The handmade chalkboard signs designed by my sister’s boyfriend.
3. My bouquet charm that paid tribute to my late father’s memory. It gave me a sense of comfort knowing that he was with me in spirit that day.
3. Give us the one moment from your wedding day you cannot stop thinking about.
The highlight of the day was doing a “first look” where we saw each other for the first time before the wedding. It was such an emotional, private time where we had the opportunity to really be there in the moment just the two of us — and take it all in. Plus, I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face when he saw me in my dress. A few tears of joy were definitely shed.
1. Which four details from your wedding were your favorites?
1. Our vows: We wrote our own vows because we wanted them to reflect our relationship. I’ll never forget the moment when everyone laughed when I said, “I promise to listen when you speak.” to Travis. I guess everyone knows how stubborn I can be at times, especially when I believe I’m right!
2. Photographer: Our brother-in-law, Jordan Marsh, photographed our wedding. He took amazing pictures, but the best part was we were so comfortable with him. We had a blast sneaking off with Jordan and my sister to take photos. It felt like we were having a mini family reunion in the middle of our wedding day.
3. Hearts: Travis’ 93-year-old grandmother made personalized hearts for each of our wedding guests. She spent months working on this project, and it was great to see how happy she was when she saw her hearts on the reception tables.
4. Speeches: We were so happy to see our childhood best friends give speeches recounting inside jokes and great memories. We also loved my younger brother’s last minute speech despite the fact he made me cry.
2. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?
Have a small, intimate wedding and invite the people you want to invite. We had 75 guests at our wedding, and we felt like it was the perfect size. We had enough time to talk to everyone at the wedding without feeling rushed.
3. Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.
I cannot stop thinking about our ceremony, and the moment I saw Travis for the first time as I was walking down the aisle. He had tears in his eyes, and he looked so calm and proud. We couldn’t stop holding each other’s hands during the ceremony, and I knew without a doubt that I was making the best decision of my life.
1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?
The gardens set the perfect picture for our day. They provided seclusion away from the busy city, and the staff at Weston Gardens made you feel like the space was your own.
2. Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?
My favorite details from the wedding had to of been moments. The moment before the wedding began, while the ladies were getting dolled up, my mother and aunt put my late grandfather’s work shirts on tomake sure he was remembered on my day. The moment when my father looked at me at the top of the hill right before we started walking down and said, “Are you ready?” This brings tears to my eyesjust typing it on a screen. The final moment that was my favorite was when my brother gave his speech. His words will forever touch my soul.
3.. Give us the one moment from your wedding that you cannot stop thinking about.
When my husband and I were exchanging our vows, and we both mentioned the dreaded yellow socks. I knew at that moment we will be together forever.
From the Photographer: ”The groom, Jonathan, is an escapologist. For the uninitiated, that means he puts himself in terribly dangerous positions and tries to escape. Like Houdini . (www.jonathanescapes.com) Once upon a time, as a little boy in Whales, he decided to be a great wizard when he grew up, and has been making magic ever since. He won me over the instant I found out he’d been part of Shark Week. Shark Week, y’all, trying to get the sharks to bite him. His lovely bride, Katy, is his partner both in life and in the world of show biz. Falling in love with her was the one thing he could not escape (and once you see how gorgeous she is, you know why.) Truly a jet-setting couple, making their home alternately in London and California, the couple opted for a simple garden ceremony at the bride’s parents’ home in Richmond, Virginia. Leading up to the big day and doing their best to plan long distance, much of the legwork was left to Katy’s mother. Katy’s parents did a beautiful job landscaping the back yard of their comfortable suburban home, transforming it into a colorful, flower-filled garden. Guests from both sides of the pond were treated to an outdoor ceremony with hay-bale seating; a cocktail hour served from terracotta pots; centerpieces of colorful wildflowers in mason jars; and string lights, mason jar candles, and a fire pit providing light as the sun set behind the house. The simplicity and intimacy were reflected in their bridal parties – with only one attendant each. Young guests were treated to a children’s table of fancy hats and dress up articles to help keep them occupied while their parents enjoyed uncorked red wine at each table or visited the bar. After a hot-buffet dinner, a dessert table took the place of a traditional cake. Hollowed-out pumpkins with pansies planted inside carried the garden theme across the tablescapes. ~Lauren D. Rogers Photography
In case you missed our vineyard rehearsal dinner ideas, make sure to go back and check them out. Now, moving on to garden weddings, or rehearsal dinner spots. This location is better suited for a very intimate group of people (unless you can find a garden to seat more than 50 of your nearest and dearest). One of my favorite decor items for a garden celebration is lanterns, lots and lots of lanterns hanging from trees, pergolas, etc.
