by Jen Hart | California Wedding, Real Weddings
Megan + Scott’s Boho California Ranch Wedding
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Some of our bride stories are all rose tinted from the start, a crush, a sweeping off the feet and then at last the big day…but some, like Megan’s story, start a little differently. In fact, Megan and Scott found each other somewhat annoying in high school, to say the least. Scott (in Megan’s words) displayed a pompous cool musician guy attitude that she simply didn’t care for and Megan well lets just say that a giggling troop of younger girls might not have been Scotts cup of tea.
Their mutual friend in high school, Garrett, knew their distaste for one another and took it upon himself to place them in tight quarters as often as he could muster. After graduating in 2009, Garrett took Megan to a small college church group where Scott played worship music. A small friendship group was formed, made up of community college kids left behind by those who’d ventured elsewhere to study.
Tight bonds were formed throughout the small circle, with the exception, of course, of Scott and Megan, they just didn’t see eye to eye. After more than a year of hanging out in this close knit group and a couple of really snug houseboat trips…things finally began to change. On one such houseboat trip in 2010 the would-be pair decided to settle their differences by floating out into the water for an extended talk. Three hours later, burned to prune status, they had finally started to develop an understanding of one another and that’s when their friendship began. Megan remembers being amazed at how loyal, honest and trustworthy Scott was, wondering why she hadn’t noticed it before.
Megan started dating one of the guys from the church group and not long after he left for the air force, he cheated on her
After a while, Megan started dating one of the guys from the church group and not long after he left for the air force, he cheated on her. It had only been a few months but Megan was devastated. Scott, having been through a really hard breakup a year before, didn’t give Megan a chance to be alone with her thoughts. He was there for her every day for weeks, until, at last, the friendship began to turn into something more. The first night they kissed was on the couch watching an endless stream of John Mayer in concert YouTube videos. Scott still insists on watching such things almost 5 years later: if you ask me, he seems to be a bit of a romantic.
Having talked about the importance of traveling and spending quality time together when they started dating, Scott and Megan began an annual Christmas tradition of driving up the coast together, using the money they’d otherwise have spent on gifts for each other on an adventure instead. It was during one such trip that Scott decided to pop the question. After a day’s wine tasting in Paso Robles, they were on their way back to Cambria when they stopped at a beautiful lookout point on route 46.
Scott had bought a nice camera along for this specific trip, with a tripod and everything…so, in hindsight, Megan should have known something was up. He’d used the camera all day at the winery and so Megan didn’t question him setting it up the minute they stopped at the outlook point. The next thing she knew he was down on one knee, after something about “and now for the grand finale…”. All that Megan could say was “are you kidding, is this real life, is this real life, are you serious?!”
Her Search for a Boho Wedding Dress Found the One
Megan knew from the get go that a boho dress was the only way for her. No fluffy, huge, expensive monstrosity for this free spirit. She started by doing the old Pinterest and Internet search but all the bohemian dresses seemed to be made in New York with price tags that weren’t exactly boho. Finally, Megan typed in the words ‘boho wedding dress Southern California’ and that’s when she first laid eyes on what Dreamers and Lovers had to offer. Seeing the Lisa dress, Megan’s heart was set and she was through the roof that the store was so close to home.
Showing up for her appointment at D&L Megan decided to try on a bunch of other dresses, saving lovely Lisa for last. When the moment finally came to step into Lisa, everyone with her, family and friends, were all in awe. There was just no doubt in anyone’s mind that this was the wedding dress for Megan. Megan say’s she’s ever grateful to Yanique for making her feel so beautiful on her special day.
So, planning a wedding for 160 guests was no mean feat for the couple and the biggest challenge they encountered was money, as is so often the case. They knew they wouldn’t be able to afford everything they wanted and set about narrowing down their list to only what they could afford.
the venue owners went above and beyond and built a 175-person deck under the oaks from scratch
The venue, Highland Oaks Ranch, naturally caught the attention of the couple when Megan fell in love with the exquisite oaks they had growing beyond the grass. The couple asked whether there was anyway they could have their ceremony beneath the trees and to their amazement the venue owners, Jim and Amber, agreed to build a deck especially for them. It was to be no mere platform for the couple to stand on as they took their vows; the venue owners went above and beyond and built a 175-person deck under the oaks from scratch! It was a dream come true for the both of them.
A friend’s mom did flowers; they were a vision all in fall colors. Greens, dark burgundy with hues of tangerine and white intermixed in the bouquet and centerpieces. The bridesmaids had green bouquets with flowing ribbons. The centerpiece flowers were in gold terrariums and the tables were long rows that were laced with more greenery.
Dessert time made history and is now referred to as no less than Cakemageddon, with the last of California’s great cake mobs being to blame for the whole fiasco. The ‘nothing bundt cakes’ were amazing, to say the least but due to some oversight, there weren’t enough of them. The couple never even got to cut their own cake, let alone eat it…the guests got to it first. All to be expected when you put a sign on the dessert table that reads ‘treat yo self.’ And so they did indeed. The bundtinies disappeared as if they were never there.
The couple’s vows consisted of three affirmations each that the pastor had enlisted them to write to each other as reasons why they loved each other. When it came time for the pastor to recite them, the couple was amazed by just how similar they were.
Scott is the one I choose to journey through life with in its greatest moments and hardest trials
Megan to Scott: One of my favorite qualities about Scott is his intentionality within his friendships. He constantly tends to his relationship not only with me, but with others as well. He is loyal in the sense that once you are in his life; you are in it for good. It doesn’t matter if you have been friends with him since childhood, met him in more recent years, have the same things in common, or see each other very often, he is always there if you need him. Scott is consistent, trustworthy, and compassionate. To me, he is the definition of a good friend, which leads me into the next thing I love (probably the most) about Scott; that he is my best friend. I feel so lucky (and cliché at the same time) to say that I am marrying my best friend, but the reality is that I am. As most of you know, he was my friend long before we started dating. We built our relationship on the foundation of friendship, and because of that I get to love him in different ways. He is my partner, my best friend, my true counterpart. The one I want to come home to every night and tell everything to. The one I want to tackle marriage and parenthood with. Scott is the one I choose to journey through life with in its greatest moments and hardest trials.
She is my comfort food, my calm in the storm, and my forever-best friend
Scott to Megan: Her friendship…there’s not a single moment in the past 5 years that I have questioned the strength of our friendship. She gets me, I get her, and it’s really as simple as that. She’s the person I tell everything to, the person I’m most excited to come home to, and the most of all, the only person I can’t imagine living my life without. She is my comfort food, my calm in the storm, and my forever-best friend.
The pastor talked about the book of Genesis, when God created Adam and Eve:
“Because It was in the quiet beauty of the Garden of Eden that God made man in His image. But the Bible tells us that God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. So with loving care he removed the bone from Adams side from which to fashion Eve. And God Brought Eve to Adam. Thus, the scripture suggests that God specifically made Eve for Adam, and Adam for Eve. Scott & Megan, You have both affirmed that you believe you were purposed to share life together. As an acknowledgment that you do receive one another as God’s gift, please join hands. Scott, it is important for a husband to learn something about receiving his wife by observing the manner in Which God created Eve. God did not use Bone from Adams foot to suggest that he should Rule over the wife. Nor did He take a bone from his head suggest the Eve should Rule over the husband. In choosing to use Adams rib it is suggested that Eve was created to share life at Adam’s side, close to his heart…. to live life together, side by side….”
One of Megan’s favorite aspects of the wedding was the paper goods, save the dates, bridal shower and wedding invites. They were truly unique and it was all thanks to Megan’s friend and wedding coordinator Tianna, who was an absolute dream to work with and made everything, come to life. Every aspect of the creative process was a success with Tianna’s help and Megan highly recommends Tianna Friend Creative for any wedding planning tat needs doing in the Southern California area.
The one piece of advice Megan offers for brides to be is this: Slow down and enjoy the engagement, being engaged and planning a wedding is fun. Don’t stress yourself out too much or you’ll miss the beauty of this special time.
What’s on the cards for this beautiful boho couple? Megan just got accepted into UCI’s masters of teaching and credential program and she’ll be starting this summer. Scott is a musician and is working on songs for release and the couple has a long list of places they plan to travel to in the next few years. They want to spend their twenties traveling and enjoying their time together and after that, maybe kids!
We wish this couple of lovers and best friends all the adventure they could hope for and many, many years of laughter, fun and family to come. Bless!
Dress Featured: Dreamers & Lovers Lisa Backless Bohemian Wedding Dress
Venue: Highland Oaks Ranch in Murietta, CA
To see other brides wearing the Lisa, see this Chloe’s wedding here and Lizzy’s wedding here
by Jen Hart | Real Weddings
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The tale of Kristen and Pat’s meeting is a classic tale of steady and smooth romance. Kristen and Pat’s mutual friend, Tom, was in Pasadena visiting from San Francisco for the weekend. Tom and Pat had been childhood friends, while Kristen had met him through the startup industry. Tom didn’t deny his motives for inviting her to his intimate house party…apparently there was someone she needed to meet.
So, in spite of the fact that Kristen had made plans to go paddle boarding in Venice, where she lived, that weekend, she’d decided to cancel and make the trek to Pasadena. The couple’s first conversation, over a bottle of wine and a tour of the house, was all about bobcat and coyote sightings in the neighborhood. Sparks may not have flown on that first meeting but more likely than not, they were both just trying to play it cool.
In fact, they were playing it so cool that it was their mutual friend, Tom, who stepped in, demanding that they at least meet up again for a drink. That night, at a spot in Venice named The Other Room, the pair felt everything clicking sweetly into place. After talking and drinking wine until the bar bell rang, Pat remembers spending the whole ride home to Pasadena smelling Kristen’s perfume which had rubbed off on his shirt, he couldn’t get enough of it.
In spite of the ample commute between Pasadena and Venice, the two of them were so hooked that they spent nearly every weekend together, from that night forward…I guess you could say that they were now, officially, infatuated with one another.
The proposal happened on Kristen’s birthday when the two of them decided to take a secluded trip together in Big Sur. After two hours of sweating it they finally reached the mountaintop and were treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of Big Sur, with the ocean and the mountain range wrapping around them, they’d never seen anything like it. After a few minutes of sitting, just taking in the splendor of it all, Kristen was just about ready to head back down to solid ground but Pat insisted they relax themselves for just a few minutes longer…
So, being a typical yogi, Kristen started doing yoga poses to chill out. She was doing the chair pose and twisting when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pat getting something out of his backpack. He bent down on one knee, opened a ring box that had belonged to his grandpa and then he pop the question.
After ten minutes of blacking out from pure bliss, the couple celebrated on top of the mountain with the clouds coming up around them. They were literally on cloud nine
After ten minutes of blacking out from pure bliss, the couple celebrated on top of the mountain with the clouds coming up around them. They were literally on cloud nine.
On her quest to find the perfect dress, Dreamers and Lovers was actually the first shop Kristen had visited. She loved all the designs and vibe and found two dresses that were in the running but since this was her first experience buying a wedding dress, she wanted to see as many options as she could. Nevertheless, there she was, back in Dreamers & Lovers, five stores later.
As well as trying on her two favorites again, she tried on some options from Yanique’s new collection, which hadn’t been released yet. One of the dresses, which were later named ‘Kristen’ in honor of her, was everything she was looking for. It had a 70’s feel, long, soft lines, unique, feminine but not too girly and most of all it was feminine but not too girly. Kristen knew that it was the destined fit for her tropical, boho-chic wedding.
The couple invited 105 guests to their wedding, so you could say it was quite an intimate affair. The venue was transformed with plenty greenery and a boho chic palate of black, peach, gold and dark purple into a moody, whimsical delight with a tropical coast feel. Kristen felt their florist, Shindig Chic, had really listened to their vision, they were blown away by the floral decor and the bouquets, which came out far better than they’d imagined.
Kristen walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing a melody that her husband to be had written. It was such a surprise that she actually got goose bumps. The melody later became a song with lyrics, released under Pat’s stage name, Active Child
Kristen walked down the aisle to a string quartet playing a melody that her husband to be had written. It was such a surprise that she actually got goose bumps. The melody later became a song with lyrics, released under Pat’s stage name, Active Child.
Things had come full circle at the wedding, with their old friend, Tom, presiding over the ceremony. He told a story of how they had met and the company shared a silent moment in which everybody directed their quiet blessings and good energy toward the couple.
Kristen highly recommends writing your own vows, which is what they did…it turned out to be one of the most magical moments they’d ever shared and it seemed like the world around them had frozen in time
Kristen highly recommends writing your own vows, which is what they did…it turned out to be one of the most magical moments they’d ever shared and it seemed like the world around them had frozen in time. This was Kristen’s favorite snippet from her vow. “I have never met anyone like you – not even close. You’re soft but bold, you always root for the underdog, when you laugh, you’re sincere, you’re authentic and truly march to the beat of your own drum, you sneeze in falsetto, you’re so talented yet so humble, you actually like watching funny cat videos, you would do anything for me, your family and mine, and you inspire me everyday to be the best version of myself and to enjoy the simple things in life. You really are so easy to love!”
Sweet and Saucy provided a delicious, three tiered wedding cake. It was a mixture of vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and almond cake with cinnamon frosting…oh and they didn’t forget to order an ice cream cart for the patio, by Carmela Ice Cream.
Some other highlights were sister-of-the-bride’s hilarious speech, the flower girl and ring bearer nieces and nephews outrageous dance moves, their mini, gold disco ball and their 6’7 ft. tall friend trying to avoid hitting his head on things. Oh, not to mention Pat and his dad’s rendition of Master P’s “Make Em Say Uhh” on the dance floor, the patio photo booth and getting down to the song of the night, “All My Friends” by LCD Sound System.
The biggest challenge for Kristen was learning to let go and not sweat the little things. It’s the things that don’t go quite to plan that really make things memorable. During the couples recession they’d decided to let the guests all play kazoos…talk about a bad idea, you can only imagine. Kristin’s advice is that you let the vendors do their magic and remember to enjoy breathing in the moments during the day with your future husband because it goes by so quickly.
The couple has since been checking things off their big-life-moments list pretty steadily, they’ve even bought a gorgeous Spanish house in Pasadena, which they’ll be moving in to soon…we wish them a lifetime of joy.
VENDORS
Wedding Planner: Claudia Cassanova, One Darling Day
Photography: Amada Gallant, Max & Friends
Venue: The Fig House, Los Angeles
DJ: Dart Collective
String Quartet: Brita Tastad
Floral: Shindig Chic
Rentals: A Rental Connection
Lighting: Ambiance Pro
Photo Booth: All Smiles Photobooth
Ice Cream Cart: Carmela Ice Cream Co.
Cake: Sweet & Saucy
Bar: Pharmacie
Catering: Room Forty
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Wedding Dresses, Destination Wedding Gowns, Wedding Photographers We Love
An interview with Anni Graham: Travel Wedding + Elopement Photographer
How did you get into photography, has it always been a passion of yours?
I have always been drawn to the visual aesthetic, but it wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I discovered photography. I haven’t been able to put down a camera since, and that was 10 years ago!
I know many artists are guided by a motto: do you have one?
“There is more in you than you think.” – Kurt Hahn. As an artist it is so easy to be relentlessly self-critical and it can really crush your creativity. This reminds me to believe that I am capable of anything and the only person stopping me is myself.
Was there a photograph or specific inspiration that made you realize that this was the career for you?
I have folders and folders of inspiring images and stories, I’m not sure I could choose just one. I think seeing adventurers travelling and living life exactly how they want to be made it feel possible to break the 9-5 mold of life. I mean honestly, my parents did not live in the 9-5 mold, so maybe they were the first ones who broke the barriers of expectation and planted the seed in me that I am best when I am doing something I am inspired by.
Do you you offer any advice to brides when photographing a wedding?
I try to creative an environment of fun and excitement, and try and help brides focus on how they are feeling in that very moment. I give less advice and more encouragement, and tell them how beautiful they look because come on it’s every girls dream to be their best on their wedding day! A little ego boost and enthusiasm goes a long way! When you feel good, you look good, and your true self comes out – and that’s what I want to capture.
How would you describe your own photographic style?
I would describe it as kind of moody, carefree and emotional. I love having fun with my couples and getting them to play with each other as much as possible, but also capturing those little details and emotional moments.
Are there any photographers or artists who have inspired you as a professional?
I think Danelle Bohane’s work is so inspiring. Her use of light is absolutely incredible. She did a wedding for a family friend in the desert in India last year and I literally couldn’t sleep after seeing all the images. I stayed up for hours just pouring over every image over and over again feeling everything from that weekend and dreaming of becoming a destination wedding photographer.
Are you the kind of photographer who just blends in and shoots or do you take time to set up for pics?
I definitely like to stay behind the scenes as much as possible. I pack light on my gear so I can be mobile and blend in and get those unposed, in-between moments.
Do you shoot in digital or film format?
Digital, but I mess around with a little film too.
Please share a particularly funny or rewarding experience you’ve had on the job as a wedding/professional photographer.
This year I had the opportunity to travel to Japan to photograph a beautiful wedding for two lovers who live in Dubai. They were so incredibly kind, and treated my husband and I like close friends before we had even met them. We spent the whole weekend with them, getting to know their family and friends, and felt so involved and connected by the end of the experience, and just solidified even how important and transformative it is to spend time with my couples. We came home from this rewarding experience feeling so excited and motivated to do this incredible thing I get to call a job.
Do you have a website or online portfolio for our brides to check out?
www.annigraham.com and instagram is @annigraham
To see the gowns featured, see the Aurora here and the Lizzy here.
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, Bohemian Wedding Dresses, California Wedding, Real Weddings
This laid-back southern girl with a love for all things boho marries her love in a chilled out Palm Springs wedding. She was one of the most ‘anti-wedding dress’ bride we had the pleasure of meeting. She wanted no frills, no fluff, and nothing too ‘wedding-y’…She first tried on the Annabel caftan and was hooked, and then she tried on the Agnes and fell in love. She felt the Agnes Simple Lace Wedding Dress was more appropriate for her ceremony, but knew that the Caftan had her name and heart on it, so she wore that to her reception. She added custom elements to her Amber gown, as she wanted to make it more ‘Jennie” and naturally more bohemian…the long fitted sleeves were just the perfect pairing on her dress. Just stunning!!
Jennie’s a Southern girl…with a blues and rock and roll soul (especially if the music’s live and something she can dance to). She moved to Hermosa Beach from Louisiana in 2007 and chilling at Boogaloo bar, she felt she’d found a little bit of that Southern style. Of course, the rather attractive barman didn’t hurt either and Jennie soon became something of a regular
Jennie’s a Southern girl…with a blues and rock and roll soul (especially if the music’s live and something she can dance to). She moved to Hermosa Beach from Louisiana in 2007 and chilling at Boogaloo bar, she felt she’d found a little bit of that Southern style. Of course, the rather attractive barman didn’t hurt either and Jennie soon became something of a regular. Needless to say, the two of them were friendly, even though they both had to pretend not to be into each other for the next two years or so. At long last though, they started dating and the rest, as they say, is history.
Aaron and Jennie were born two weeks apart, in the same year, so they are both Aries. With a handful of friends in tow, they made their way to Las Vegas to celebrate their 30th birthday in style…Jennie flew in from Dallas, where she had been working, while the rest of the crew popped in from LA. The first thing that seemed to be a little out of the ordinary was the fact that, on arrival at the hotel, the crew was nowhere to be seen: only Aaron was there, he’d decided they should have a private birthday dinner together before the party got started in earnest.
Jennie really started to wonder when she was taken up to the Eiffel Tower Restuarant and offered the best seat in the house…sure enough, midnight came and there was Aaron, down on on knee, proposing.
Anyone who knows the couple will know that the whole set up was pretty out of the ordinary for them: but that’s what’s so great, the uniqueness of it made it even more unforgettable. On top of that, they got to spend the rest of the weekend celebrating Las Vegas style with all of their best friends.
In spite of their two and a half year engagement, planning started for Jennie almost immediately…through the first year she used Pinterest to source photos of the sort of dress she hoped to find, she spend many a night obsessing over the Annabel gown but had no idea that Dreamers and Lovers (and Annabel) was right around the corner from where she lived. When she finally found out, she was overjoyed and what’s more…she ended up buying not one but two gorgeous, laid-back Dreamers and Lovers boho wedding dresses (I suppose she just couldn’t make up her mind!)
Jennie is super happy that they waited and gave themselves a chance to really enjoy their engagement, without planning stress and time constraints: after all, you only get to be a fiance once in your life so you should savor it. Because they gave themselves ample time they ended up with every venue and vendor that they had hoped for, plus no hectic last minute rush. Jennie knows that stressing during engagement time is not worth the negativity it can introduce to your relationship.
So, the couple invited 130 guests and 99 of their nearest and dearest ended up attending…but the number was just perfect. Aaron and Jennie paid for everything, so finances were a little tricky to manage during planning, although in the end everything worked out just right and was exactly the way they’d hoped it would be. They created an incredible atmosphere, surrounded by greenery in Palm Springs at a lush estate. The atmosphere was probably Jennie’s favorite thing about the wedding!
The couple had one of their best friends act as officiant, because they aren’t religious he opted to tell funny stories about the two of them instead of doing readings: he’s known them for the full 8 years they’ve been together. The couple also wrote their own vows, which ended up being overwhelmingly emotional for Jennie (I love this story). Aaron’s vows described the first time they saw each other and he literally compared it to love at first sight…this was the coolest and sweetest thing for Jennie, who’d spent two years thinking that he just saw her as a friend, more or less! She’d had no idea he felt that way from the get go!
Another favorite was the photobus (from sdphotobus.com), it’s a refurbished VW bus that doubles as a photo-booth, so they have unique and hilarious memories to add to their photo collection. They also had all the palm trees lit up in different colors, which created an absolutely awesome vibe.
Jennie loves nothing more than succulents (except Aaron, obviously) and so her flowers were bright, colorful and succulent heavy. Apparently her bouquet actually weighed more than she does but nonetheless she was 100% happy and her florist absolutely killed it!
Not really ones for tradition, the couple opted for an ice cream sandwich cart instead of the usual wedding cake. The flavors were out of this world and the addition of home made cookies made the idea a huge hit with both the guests and the couple.
The reception really went off with a bang when the entire party jumped into the swimming pool!
What does the future hold for this shining couple? Right now they’re just savoring their journey as newlyweds…with no plans for children at the moment, they know that it will happen if and when it happens. They love to travel, still dig their live music and don’t plan to stop loving life anytime soon. We wish them all the best of a lifetime filled with laughter…
To see other brides wearing the Agnes, take a look at this wedding
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Wedding Dresses, Real Weddings
Sarah and Jony’s wedding video started off by bringing tears to my eyes and a couple of minutes later…after the beautiful vows had been read and the bass broke, I was all smiles. These people really know how to get down on the dance-floor and their wedding was clearly a party of note.
Jony walked up to Sarah and said, quite simply: I don’t know you but you seem interesting to me.
It all started in college when the pair were introduced to each other through a mutual friend. Sarah was invited to a friend’s house and Jony just happened to be there. With his dark and mysterious style, Jony walked up to Sarah and said, quite simply: “I don’t know you but you seem interesting to me.” This sort of direct approach either works or doesn’t…in this case it definitely worked, although it took time. They didn’t talk again for some time but Jony had sparked Sarah’s interest (for good). Two years later they started dating and they were married within a year.
Sarah’s hardly a fan of surprises and, perhaps in order to keep all the surprises in one day, Jony waited until her birthday on June 3rd to propose. He took her skydiving (she thought, for her birthday)…however, when they came in for touchdown, there was a huge sign saying WOULD YOU MARRY ME being held up by their tribe of closest friends (brings new meaning to the phrase ‘falling in love’, if you ask me). Jony landed first, quickly got out the ring and waited: Sarah first removed her jumpsuit, keeping the suspense high, before answering ‘YES!’ That night, they partied with their good friends, celebrating not only Sarah’s birthday but their new engagement too! Check out their proposal video, it’s one of the cutest things ever! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ni-9EIVzw
Sarah lived in Dallas and had been hunting in boutiques high and low, in search of the perfect number…she even widened the search to include surrounding cities and after many months of searching, she started to get peeved. With Jony’s roots in California, the couple had already planned a trip there to visit family and friends and it was while searching the net for dress shops to stop at in California that Sarah stumbled upon Dreamers and Lovers.
From the very start, the name found a place in Sarah’s heart and she knew without a doubt that the style was definitely what she had been hoping for. The day they landed they drove straight to Torrance, so that Sarah could try on dresses and when she stepped through the door, she immediately fell in love with the shop. Beautiful, young and anything but traditional, Yanique’s intimate manner and the friendliness of her assistant were all Sarah needed to feel right at home.
To top it all off, the dresses were being made right in the shop and after trying on a few of them, she’d already noticed a huge difference between D&L dresses and the hundreds she’d tried on previously. It was then that Yanique brought a dress out from the back that she was busy working on at the time…Sarah knew straight away that this was going to be HER wedding dress. It was everything she wanted, detailed, handmade and perfectly comfortable…she could see herself dancing in it and she felt exactly like an angel.
One of the biggest challenges Sarah had to overcome during planning was that of people’s opinions and how THEY thought her wedding should be. That’s why she offers the advice to would be brides that they should pick and chose exactly what they want and never think that they have to do something a certain way because someone says so or because of tradition. Your wedding day is YOUR day and it needs to turn out the way YOU want it!
Over 200 guests arrived on the special day, with both Sarah and Jony’s families flying in from Mexico, DC, Seattle and California. The couple loved the location, which wasn’t all-inclusive, allowing them to choose item for item, everything just the way they wanted it.
Two of their best friends covered a song that they love as a couple, they read their own, self-written vows (beautiful) and Sarah’s dad read verses from scripture. The couples vows were recorded even before the ceremony by their videographer Hank, he turned out this beautiful video…capturing some of the spirit of their love.www.vimeo.com/177611185
On the day of the wedding the florist showed up with bright yellow, pink and purple flowers. Needless to say, Sarah was a little upset but Jony, always the knight in shining armor, rounded up his groomsmen and went into the neighboring field to pick everything they could see that was green
One thing though, which didn’t quite work out as planned, were the flowers. It was one of those favor for a favor deals…Sarah had wanted all green plants and not really any flowers. On the day of the wedding the florist showed up with bright yellow, pink and purple flowers. Needless to say, Sarah was a little upset but Jony, always the knight in shining armor, rounded up his groomsmen and went into the neighboring field to pick everything they could see that was green: they ended up using those on the tables and in the jars and in the end, everything worked out just fine!
They served BBQ, made pour overs and brought in their own bartender for the bash. Both Jony and Sarah have something of an aversion to cake and so they just couldn’t see the sense in ordering a massive cake to cut and eat. Instead, they ordered in from their favorite doughnut shop…which went down an absolute treat.
Sarah says the entire experience touched her in a way she couldn’t have imagined, amazing and beautiful at the same time…although intense and with more than a fair share of crying. Everything turned out as it should have even though it wasn’t exactly according to plan. There was tons of improvisation that needed doing and the couple thanks their friends and family for making it all possible.
This gorgeous pair both have a heart for people, creating and strengthening community…they opened a coffee shop (Hands + Rose) and are super excited to be opening up two more of the same in their area.
We wish them all the warmth love and sense of community that life has to offer, with a shining light like theirs we’ve no doubt that both their love and their business will thrive!
The couple felt honored to collaborate with their awesome vendors, along with her thoughts about each:
Dreamers & Lovers – by far the prettiest dresses made
Hypnotic Donuts – YUMMY pistachio donuts
Off The bone BBQ – The best in Dallas!
Henry Weddings Videography – The best videographer out there.
White Sparrow Barn – pretty white dreamy barn
Hands+Rose Coffee – specialty coffee and handmade
Conner Mckibbin – Photographer, so good!
