This wedding is a really special one for me. Jessica, the bride, is a friend I made while planning my own wedding. She and I have very similar taste, so it was always fun to chat about ideas and projects we were both working on. I was absolutely floored when I finally saw all her planning and work come to fruition through these beautiful photos by Sarah K Chen.
Jessica was kind enough to provide some of her own commentary about her wedding day for me to share. So, without further adieu, here are the deets. Straight from the bride...
It all happened on a crisp Sunday in May of 2009. After a long
engagement with lots of ideas, plans, craziness, and headaches, the
day came - a happy one of many.
At the beginning, I thought I would wear a gown with some lace but
instead discovered a soft and quite girlish Swiss dotted gown by
Melissa Sweet called Dora. My coral shoes were from J. Crew...and they hurt. I should have been
comfortably stylish in flats.
engagement with lots of ideas, plans, craziness, and headaches, the
day came - a happy one of many.
At the beginning, I thought I would wear a gown with some lace but
instead discovered a soft and quite girlish Swiss dotted gown by
Melissa Sweet called Dora. My coral shoes were from J. Crew...and they hurt. I should have been
comfortably stylish in flats.
I love the romantic look but for my significant other, it's not
really his cup of tea. Pink and blush peonies are the floral du jour
for the romantic look so I figured why not used it's more vivid
sibling coral for the wedding. It was the perfect compromise ruffled
yet the petals have a more streamlined edge if that makes sense.
Besides coral peonies are my favorite anyway.
really his cup of tea. Pink and blush peonies are the floral du jour
for the romantic look so I figured why not used it's more vivid
sibling coral for the wedding. It was the perfect compromise ruffled
yet the petals have a more streamlined edge if that makes sense.
Besides coral peonies are my favorite anyway.
Originally, I planned on wearing my cathedral length mantilla
veil as a drop veil a la Grace Kelly. Instead I wore it as the name
intended.
veil as a drop veil a la Grace Kelly. Instead I wore it as the name
intended.
We chose to see each other before the ceremony. It lead to
one the best experiences we had that day: A limo ride all by ourselves
to the church. That experience was the most intimate time we spent
together the entire day and we enjoyed every minute of it.
one the best experiences we had that day: A limo ride all by ourselves
to the church. That experience was the most intimate time we spent
together the entire day and we enjoyed every minute of it.
The bridesmaids dresses were from Jasmine's Belsoie and B2 lines.
I loved what Sherry McAnelly of On Location Beauty did for my
hair and makeup. Polished yet natural.
hair and makeup. Polished yet natural.
We had a Catholic ceremony presided by the very sincere Father
Davoren. As most people know, Catholic churches do not give you much
leeway when it comes to music nor material but Our Lady of the Assumption was wonderful even allowing us to use a different verse
from the options that were given. Truly amazing.
Davoren. As most people know, Catholic churches do not give you much
leeway when it comes to music nor material but Our Lady of the Assumption was wonderful even allowing us to use a different verse
from the options that were given. Truly amazing.
Manzanita trees were my way of bringing the outside indoors.
Our cake/dessert buffet was the culmination of two ideas. 1:
The cake buffet was a nod to my dear late grandmother who passed away
over 7 years ago. She was an avid baker who created her own little
cake buffet for Christmas every year, and 2. Having snacks throughout
the event is great way to not only keep up everyone's energy up but
also keep them happy.
For the buffet, I purchased the cake stands from various online
retailers while the apothecary jars were purchased at Marshall's and
Home Goods.
The cake buffet was a nod to my dear late grandmother who passed away
over 7 years ago. She was an avid baker who created her own little
cake buffet for Christmas every year, and 2. Having snacks throughout
the event is great way to not only keep up everyone's energy up but
also keep them happy.
For the buffet, I purchased the cake stands from various online
retailers while the apothecary jars were purchased at Marshall's and
Home Goods.
Some floral choices that made their way into our wedding:
white peonies, hot pink ranunculus, white hydrangeas, and of course
coral peonies among others.
white peonies, hot pink ranunculus, white hydrangeas, and of course
coral peonies among others.
Okay, this going to sound silly but you know how everyone
has some fear that something bad will happen? Well, I thought
something would not happen - no one would dance. Yup, I was so sure of
it, I went as far as warn the DJ. Needless to say, I was proved wrong
- there was a Soul Train line, older family members dancing some of
young friends, and break dancing. People enjoying themselves to the
point that they didn't care that they were being photographed. It was
hilarious and fun but most of all it brought the most amazing feeling
that months of planning cannot bring nor guarantee - the joy of seeing
the ones you love enjoying themselves in the most natural of form. It
makes you realize that your relationship truly is a community effort
one that each and every guest had some sort of hand in whether it was
raising you, babysitting, hanging out, befriending, being a godparent,
relation, etc. You can't just create or fabricate that feeling or
those connections. It makes you feel truly blessed.
has some fear that something bad will happen? Well, I thought
something would not happen - no one would dance. Yup, I was so sure of
it, I went as far as warn the DJ. Needless to say, I was proved wrong
- there was a Soul Train line, older family members dancing some of
young friends, and break dancing. People enjoying themselves to the
point that they didn't care that they were being photographed. It was
hilarious and fun but most of all it brought the most amazing feeling
that months of planning cannot bring nor guarantee - the joy of seeing
the ones you love enjoying themselves in the most natural of form. It
makes you realize that your relationship truly is a community effort
one that each and every guest had some sort of hand in whether it was
raising you, babysitting, hanging out, befriending, being a godparent,
relation, etc. You can't just create or fabricate that feeling or
those connections. It makes you feel truly blessed.
{All photos from Platinum Weddings by Kerrie blog}
The Vendors:
Ceremony: Our Lady of the Assumption, Ventura, CA
Reception: Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo, CA
Coordinator: Kerrie Underhill, Platinum Weddings by Kerrie
Photographer: Sarah K Chen
Videographer: Joe Rosenberger, Today's the Day Weddings
Floral: Yamaguchi Flowers
Hair & Makeup: Sherry McAnelly, On Location Beauty
Dress: Melissa Sweet Dora, Priscilla of Boston, SF formerly Alexandra
Bridal Salon
Linens: C&L Linens
DJ: Joey Inez
Thank you for sharing, Jessica!
6 comments:
Thanks so much Melissa! I'm so glad to be a part of your new venture. :)
Gorgeous! I love this. If I ever get married I fully intend on wearing a knee length dress and hot little shoes with a punch of color ;)
What a really great post and a fabulous wedding. My fave? Her bouquet and the cake table!!! So perfect!! Ah I can't wait to get married :) :)
So glad you blogged her wedding. It was perfection and so magazine worthy =)
Oh yeah! Glad you blogged this wedding and from someone I know through the interwebs as well =) She had such a beautiful wedding.
I see that this wedding was almost a year ago, but I love the bridemaids dresses. Would anyone remember what color they are called?!
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