Amanda & Gary

October 5

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Q & A with the Bride:

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

We visited a number of venues around the city and none of them had the character of the Berkeley Street Church. That unique, vintage feel really went along with what we wanted out of our wedding – a vintage-chic look that only this particular venue could help us achieve.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. We made our own wine for the wedding and created custom labels based on the names of each of our two cats, Dorito and Pinchy. The white wine was called Dorito Vineyards, and the red, Sir Pinchington Estates.
2. The old-fashioned photo booth was the perfect fit for our theme, and guests could sign a fantastic guest book with each of their pictures available in there immediately.
3. Our custom-made cake toppers based on our Xbox 360 avatars

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

My husband and I wrote our own vows and unbeknownst to each other ended up copying each other in one key line – that we would always be each other’s “Player 2.” The combination of surprise and the reaction of our guests was one of the most memorable parts of the whole day.

Ashley & Scott

August 4

Nipomo, 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 beauty, the originality and the character of the Dana-Powers barn venue made me fall in love with it. Although is was just a “barn,” it felt like the most gorgeous and unique place to have a wedding. The surrounding hills were breathtaking and the furnishings and details that stood throughout the barn were something I couldn’t live without. No other venue we looked at could compare. All our guests didn’t know what to expect, and when they arrived that day, they were all blown away by the beauty.

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

 1. Walking down the aisle with my dad, being filled with so much joy and excitement, seeing Scott for the first time that day. Although I thought I’d be full of emotions, I was just so happy.

2. Seeing the flowers come together. I was overly pleased with what my florist did. They were all so beautiful throughout the entire wedding venue.

3. Enjoying all my guests and watching them all have a good time. Being with everyone and celebrating for one night made Scott and I truly happy.

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

Exchanging vows will forever be the most sentimental and memorable part of my wedding day. Listening to the words of our pastor and looking into Scott’s eyes made me the happiest girl. And I’m so glad all our family and friends were there to share it with. Our pastor said some very touching words to our parents on our behalf, and it was another very special part of the ceremony.

Kaitlin & Victor

June 29

San Luis Obispo, California 

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

The fact that they had one of the original steam trains that used to run around Disneyland! We rented it for the afternoon, and guests got to ride it around the ranch. Having grown up in southern California and spending our youth (and adulthood) going to Disneyland, Victor and I were huge Disney fans. The deal was pretty much set once we found out about the train.

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

1. The train.
2. The home videos we had playing above us when we had our first dance, father/daughter dance and mother/son dance.
3. All of our DIY projects, especially our handmade photobooth made by a friend.

3. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Don’t stress out! I did not like any aspect of the wedding planning process, and many a time I wanted to elope. Don’t do it! It’s totally worth it to stick it out. Try and enjoy the wedding planning with your fiancé, because (hopefully) it will be the only wedding you get to plan. Just remember that in the end it’s all about the love between you two.

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

The non-first look my husband and I did. We did a first look, but we were blindfolded – this gave us the chance to meet up before the wedding to hug, hold hands, exchange cards and in my husbands case cry his eyes out, without actually seeing each other. Even though I expected the crying from him (he’s a big baby – in a good way), it was especially sweet since we would be getting married a few minutes later.

Stephanie & Russell 

November 3

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

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Q & A with the Bride and Groom:

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

We originally wanted the look and feel of an old house, but we were having a hard time finding one that could accommodate all of our guests. When we stumbled upon the Highlands Ranch Mansion by accident, we knew it would be perfect.

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

1. Ceremony: We put very little emphasis on the ceremony during the planning process, but you can’t plan the feeling you get standing up in front of your friends and family and tying the knot.
2. Photography: The day goes by in such a blur, but having amazing images to remind you of the details helps bring it all back into focus.
3. Atmosphere: A big spooky mansion a few days after Halloween, must we say more?

3. If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

The best advice we can give is to ignore most of the advice you are given. While family and friends have great ideas and intentions, it’s important to remember that it is your wedding. The details that are important to you should be there.

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

There was a moment right after the ceremony, walking up the driveway to the mansion when we looked at each other, exclaimed “We’re married!” at the same time and laughed the rest of the way to the mansion. Those grins didn’t leave our faces for the rest of the night.

Carisha & Jordan

November 4

Kyle, Texas

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Q&A with the Bride:

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

We searched high and low for the perfect venue! We live in Los Angeles and started our search in Paso Robles wine country. It was beautiful, but somehow didn’t click. We decided to check out a destination wedding in either Austin, TX (where Jordan lived during our first year of dating) or on the beach in Mexico. We planned a scouting trip/vacation, going to Austin first. As soon as we stepped off the plane all the memories of dating flooded back! We knew it was meant to be. It all came together perfectly when we saw the amazing setting of the Winfield Inn, just outside of Austin. It was rustic, vintage, naturally elegant, and came with an amazing set of planners to boot! We fell in love with the towering oak trees and lush landscape.  We couldn’t have imagined such a perfect venue.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

The stationery: We made a list early on of what we cared the most and least about, and our printed materials (web and stationery) made the top of the list.  Jordan and I designed every piece of the suite – from the simple save-the-date to the hand pressed invitations to our wedding website. We spent hours designing, letter pressing using a home kit, collecting vintage stamps, and learning how pull together a website. We also designed our own guestbook in the form of an illustrated stretched canvas for guests to sign. We know not everyone will have noticed or cared about every detail, but we’re still proud of what we pulled off together!

The handmade décor:  Jordan’s mom put in a TON of work to make our wedding dreams come to life. She made over a hundred feet of fabric bunting, sewed burlap table runners trimmed in lace, and made at least a dozen pillows to grace the patio and vintage furniture we used. And, we put together table numbers with stained wood, lace trim, and address numbers, a seating chart with a similar feel, votives that we tediously trimmed with lace, and hand painted wood signs that matched the fonts we used in the invitations.

The flowers: We couldn’t stop raving about what a perfect job our florist did. She got our vision so well and incorporated all of favorites, going way above and beyond to make it all come together beautifully. We went with super simple bud vases and mason jars of flowers, but she just made it all look stunning, and the bouquet was beyond beautiful.

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

It’s less of a specific moment, but just looking out at everyone who was there and thinking how surreal it was to see all the people we love so dearly in one place. We kept talking about that all night! Our wedding was actually the first time our families had ever met, so it was amazing to look up and see our family and friends who had just met smiling, laughing, and embracing one another. It really brought us so much joy to get to experience all these different pieces of our lives colliding in the happiest of ways!