The Couple:  Melissa Orth and Travis Brown

Wedding Date:  August 27, 2011

Photography by Capture Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We met while cheering for Sacramento Sirens Cheer Elite, an adult cheerleading squad that performs throughout California to raise money for individuals facing physical, developmental or emotional disabilities. We were mere teammates until we began frequenting the gym together on days we didn’t have practice, giving us time to talk as we flaunted our rippling muscles.

Travis patiently won me over with his honesty and charm, showing me that if you love someone, you can share your feelings without fear of judgement. We are currently expecting our first child and I could not be more excited to continue the journey of life with this amazing man.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Just one? Looking into Travis’ eyes as we stood in front of our family and friends. Arriving at the ceremony site and seeing all of the work that our family and friends had done to make it look exactly like I had pictured. The photo shoot we had with Shellie from Capture Photography (she’s THE BEST!) and just the two of us…so, so fun.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  It went by SO FAST — everyone tells you that, but it’s ridiculously true. Even while it was happening, I felt like we were on fast forward. I could have stayed at that party double the time…easily.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  McConnell Estates Winery

Photographer:  Capture Photography

Caterer:  My Chef Adam

Cake:  Mike Osborn

Flowers:  Botanica Floral & Event Design

Favors:  No specific favors, though there were items that guests were welcome to take with them if they’d like …

• Printout from the photo booth (DIY)
• Booklet with thank you message, etc (DIY / Sour Pea Design)

Wedding Dress:  Elegant Lace

Bridesmaid Dresses:  The Bridal Box. The sashes were made by my mom.

Hair:  Jessica Stine from Spanish Fly Hair Garage

Makeup:  Christi Reynolds Makeup Artistry

Invitations:  Sour Pea Design

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  iPod

Photo Booth:  DIY

Honeymoon location:  Excellence Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Travel Agency:  Ships & Trips Travel

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?

• Men’s Wearhouse in Elk Grove – they worked so hard for us!
• My dad did all of the woodwork and construction (signs, the “altar,” which was their old patio cover reconfigured, the photo booth backdrop, etc)
• My mom did a TON! Made all the white pennants that went behind the altar, made the big “M” & “T” that went on the mantel, made sashes for the bridesmaids and flower girls, contributed to all the paper products with her amazing scrapbook supplies and tools, etc.
• My aunt made half of the cloth napkins.
• My maid of honor, Lisa, made the colored pennants that hung on the deck and the heart pillow we used as a photo booth prop
• My other maid of honor and sister, Stephanie, painted the backgrounds of the signs for me.
• My hair dresser, Jake from the Spanish Fly Hair Garage, loaned us the sound equipment (he’s also a rock star on the side, by-the-way)
• My bridesmaid and sister-in-law, Meghan, spray painted the red frames & put the kids’ activity baskets together.
• My aunt, Grudy, made our money dance bag, my garter and a handkerchief.
• My cousin, Anna, made the embroidered art that says “Less talk, more cake.”
• Travis’ grandma made the ring bearer pillow.
• There are so many other tasks I’m sure I’m forgetting! Every time we turned around someone else was offering to help. It was so amazing!

Also…

• The box to collect cards on the gift table was my paternal grandfather’s tool box (which my father-in-law, Russell, refurbished for us).
• The pins on my bouquet were my maternal grandma and grandpa’s.
• The lavender that was thrown as we exited was donated by my parents’ family friends, who own a lavender farm.
• The three hankies I carried with me down the aisle were 1) made for me by my aunt, 2) from Trav’s side of the family, which my sister-in-law carried at her wedding, 3) my maternal grandmother’s, which was carried at her wedding and my mom’s.
• Many of the linens, decorations, etc came from family homes.
• A lot of the vintage items that weren’t from family homes came from craigslist.

First Dance Song:  “I’m in Peace” by Justin Nozuka

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  None of the little details matter as much as you think they are going to. Take the time leading up to the wedding to spend quality time with friends and family who want to help and don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  I’d hire a DJ! We went back and forth over that decision the whole time we were planning and in retrospect I think it really would have helped keep things on schedule.

And, if you ask a family member to take video for you, make sure you give them instructions for what you’d like them to capture. We missed some things we would have liked to have because we didn’t communicate clearly.

Photos courtesy of Capture Photography.

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