Posts Tagged ‘Real Wedding’

The Couple:  Erika Tungland and Ryan Taylor

Wedding Date:  October 16, 2010

Photography by 555 Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We met working at Borders Bookstore. Years later, we are still happily together, with two dogs and a cat!

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Everything was so perfect. But I would have to say the food was my favorite.

Ceremony Site & Reception Venue:  V. Sattui Winery

Photographer:  555 Photography

Wedding Planner:  Little Blue Box Weddings

Caterer:  Alex’s Catering

Cake:  Inticing Creations

Flowers:  Valley Flora

Favors:  Etsy

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  Miosa Bride

Hair & Makeup:  Sweetie Face Makeup

Invitations:  Fine Stationery

DJ/Entertainment:  Denon and Doyle

Band:  Terrence Brewer Trio

Honeymoon location:  Maui

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Rev. Blane Ellsworth was an amazing officiant.

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  If someone tells you no, find someone who will work with you to create what is perfect for you.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No.

Photos courtesy of 555 Photography.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Celia and Max Feldman

Wedding Date:  July 24, 2010

Photography by H & Co. Photographers

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  How we met: I was single and my roommate was trying to find me a boyfriend. She told me about a guy named Max in her business class that I would have a lot in common with. I shied away after she told me that he was the sign language president of the college, even though I was pretty into sign language myself. He stopped by our work one day to say hi to her and she introduced me. I thought he was pretty cute, so I told her that we should all go out one night.

A few weeks later, we met up with Max at a local bar. I was very nervous, but I thought we got along pretty well. After that night I told my roommate to give Max my number, but she never did. A year passed and we both lived our separate lives. I ran into Max a few times here and there, but nothing ever happened until one night when I went out on the town with a friend. I accidently bumped into a guy in one of the crowded bars and he said, “What are you just going to walk right past me?” I looked up and realized it was the guy I met a year ago, Max. In that moment something clicked and we knew we were meant to be in that place at that time. From then on we were inseparable…and still are.

Our engagement story: Max and I moved to the Sacramento area. One weekend we planned to go to back to Monterey because we missed the ocean air and our old friends. The plan was to stay with our old roommate for the whole weekend, but Max kept bringing up staying in a hotel room. I didn’t think it was necessary because I wanted to save money.

Little did I know, Max had a plan. Throughout our day in Monterey, we went to all of our favorite tourist spots: Downtown Alvarado St., Fisherman’s Warf, Del Monte Beach. We even bought matching Monterey sweatshirts to signify how touristy we were. We went for a walk on our favorite beach, (the one where we had our first real kiss and the one we lived right next to before away) and decided to sit down to take it all in. We were taking pictures of everything that surrounded us, because somehow we both knew that this day was special. Max asked me to take a picture of him gazing out into the ocean. So, I went far behind him and did as he asked. When I told him to turn around he was starting to get up, but he stayed on one knee. He then told me to come closer and as I did I saw that he had written, “Will u marry me” in the sand. We both started crying and I of course said yes! One year later, we got married on the very same beach.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  Having our wonderful friends and family surrounding us. We had visitors from all over… California, Florida, Oregon, Nevada, Canada and even Greece.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  I loved every minute of my wedding day. Getting ready in our fancy room, taking pictures with my ladies (while they tried to hide the fact that my little flower girl ripped her dress), waiting in the bathroom at the venue so my husband wouldn’t see me before the ceremony, walking down the isle and locking eyes with the love of my life, dancing to “Brown-eyed Girl,” and of course my infamous keg stand.

Ceremony Site:  Del Monte Beach

Reception Venue:  Del Monte Beach House

Photographer:  H & Co. Photographers

Caterer:  Monterey Beach Party

Cake:  Rosine’s

Flowers:  Pacific Grove Florist

Favors:  Carousel Candies

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup:  Kim Larson

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Kelley Conover

Honeymoon location:  Dreams Los Cabos

First Dance Song:  “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Don’t stress out. Keep in mind that that not everything will turn out exactly the way it was supposed to, but that’s okay…embrace it.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  The only thing I would change is that I wish the night had lasted longer. I could have danced about five more hours.

Photos courtesy of H & Co. Photographers.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Nancy and Nick Sears

Wedding Date:  May 7, 2011

Photography by Jocelyn McGregor Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Nick’s point of view: Well, it just so happens that both of my brother’s mothers-in-law work with Nancy. Nancy’s work decided to have a Christmas party at the home of one of  mothers-in-law. Seeing as they were doing that, my brother and his father-in-law asked if I wanted to go bowling with them. I arrived at the house and before I left I saw a great set of legs enter the house. When we returned from bowling, I was able to catch a few glimpses of Nancy and ended up asking my sister-in-law to see if they could get her number for me, and that’s how it all began.

Nancy’s point of view: I went to my co-worker’s house for a Christmas party. It was really entertaining until I saw my, now, brother-in-law, staring at me from across the room. It was a little uncomfortable for the fact that I thought he was my co-worker’s daughter’s husband, and also thought Nick was married as well. After he got a hold of my phone number and we started talking, I couldn’t tell which guy it was from the party. But when I saw him waiting outside of my work for our first date with a bouquet of flowers, I was glad —  he was lean, tall, single and handsome. Then I said to myself, I am not gonna let him go! And the rest is history.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  When we were holding hands at the altar!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Everyone really enjoyed the wedding and have said that it was a very relaxing and fun setting!

Ceremony & Reception Site:  Carriage House Gardens

Photographer:  Jocelyn McGregor Photography

Caterer:  Taqueria Espinoza

Cake:  Ettore’s

Flowers:  My friend, Jennifer Lee

Favors:  Innova Discs – Sam Ferrans (mini disc golf discs)

Wedding Dress:  David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Chosen by bridesmaid after given the color

Hair:  Lily at Regis Salon

Invitations:  Gina DeCosta

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  DJ Jukey Jukes

Honeymoon location:  We have yet to go, but are planning on Monterey/Carmel, Hearst Castle, Disneyland… coastal trip.

Any other of your weddingvendor(s) you’d like to call out?  Bridesmaids’ Gifts: Etsy – Lisa Arney (handmade jewelery pouches), Betty Sears – (hand made crocheted rose pins). Groomsmen Gifts: DGA (Disc Golf Association) – Derek Kotval. Engagement Portrait Painting: Aman Smith. Decorations: La Mariposa Imports – Ray – papel picado. Cake Topper: Woodland Manufacturing – custom metal cake topper.

First Dance Song:  ”Better Together” by Jack Johnson

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Don’t stress! Everything will turn out just fine in the end! If you don’t want to take advice from anyone, don’t. Do it the way that will make you happy, not to make others happy! It’s your day, not anyone else’s. Don’t feel obligated to accommodate everyone’s opinions. In the end, they are there to be happy for you!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  Invited more people had we had the financial ability to do so.

Photos courtesy of Jocelyn McGregor Photography.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Nicole and John Santos

Wedding Date:  June 25, 2011

Photography by Justin Buettner Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  John and I met in Thornton, California, at a Portuguese Bull Fight in October of 2009. From that moment on it was love at first sight. We now go to the bull fights in Thornton every year, kind of a reminder of how we met and fell in love. We now own a dairy and work with each other everyday — I wouldn’t change it for the world!!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Our wedding day was the happiest day of our lives, we enjoyed seeing all of our family and friends dancing and having a great time right along with us. I also enjoyed seeing our whole year of planning come together as beautifully as it did.

Ceremony Site:  Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church

Reception Venue:  Our Lady Of Fatima Portugese Hall

Photographer & Videographer:  Justin Buettner Photography

Caterer:  Rayna’s Gourmet Catering and the meat was done by my friend, John Baranek.

Cake:  M & W Dutch American Bakery

Flowers:  The Flower Shop

Favors:  We had cookies with our pictures on them from The Cookie Jar.

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses & Invitations:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Make-up:  Tammy Carter at First Impressions

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Juke Box Music and The Jay Rollers Band

Honeymoon location:  Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia

First Dance Song:  ”Amazed” by Lonestar

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Just remember that this is you and your husband-to-be’s day, people always have input —  some good, some bad. Don’t stress yourself out over the little things, because in the end you will enjoy every minute of your wedding day.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  The only thing different I would have done was have our wedding in a colder month —  it was so hot in June for the dresses I picked out for my poor bridesmaids. Everything else was perfect!!

Photos courtesy of Justin Buettner Photography.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!

The Couple:  Seija K. Murphy and Craig D. Zimmerman

Wedding Date:  May 21, 2011

Photography by Siegel’s Portrait Design

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  Seija: I grew up in Saudi Arabia, the child of a pilot and a housewife. I have one older sister who was born with mental disabilities. My father worked for the oil company ARAMCO until 2003 when he retired and moved to Oregon with my mother. I lived in the Middle East for the first part of my life and then having attended boarding high-school in Pebble Beach, I stayed in California to finish university at UCLA.

As an undergrad I studied psychology with the intent of working to support individuals with disabilities. It took the better part of the next three years (2006 – 2009) after graduating for my life to gather momentum; not only in my work interest, but my personal life as well. I struggled with alcoholism and when I began on the road of recovery in 2008 my life changed drastically.

I never had much of a life, because I was very afraid to pursue it. I was very insecure and had been in a tumultuous relationship for almost nine years. I knew that I had more to offer and took a chance on changing my life to fulfill my purpose. I was making great strides to better my life and change my situation when I met Craig at work in November of 2009.

At the time I knew that I loved being a recovered person, I had a passion to support others, and I trusted that God would take care of me no matter what. I learned throughout the next year and a half (Jan 2010 – May 2011) that indeed God would take care of me. Coming from a life of fear to a life where I was encouraged to pursue my interests and supported by an incredibly loving man was a miracle for me.

We both work at a non-profit providing vocational support to individuals with disabilities. I am pursuing a career as a marriage and family therapist. Along with a passion for psychology I have learned that I love music (both creating it and listening to it), I love art, and my close friends are treasures.

Craig : I was born and raised right here is Sacramento. I am the youngest child, and have an older sister — Renee’ — who is six years older than me. My upbringing was pretty boring compared to Seija’s due to the fact that I lived in the same home for 24 years, rarely strayed from California, and never had been in a serious long term relationship. All kidding aside, as a child, I was happy. I went to good public schools, had (and still have) the best parents in the world, and was very busy with sports.

Later in life, I went to Sacramento State University where I got a B.A. in sociology as well as picked up a nasty habit called alcoholism. By 2009, I was a mess and began to live a life without alcohol. I was working full time by then, bought a home, and I met Seija through work. After that, well, I lived happily ever after.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  The most amazing part of the day were the ” I will’s ” (we said “I will” vs. “I do”) at the ceremony, the speeches that were given during the reception, and the picture slide show that Nick (Craig’s brother-in-law) put together for us (pictures of us separately as children, growing up with our families and together as adults)… even though Craig would make a reference to the wedding night as the best part of the day!

What else would you like to share about your big day?  Before walking down the aisle, it was important for me (Seija) to take some quiet time to reflect on the past year. We worked so hard to make the wedding happen, and I had to go through some family issues to get here, but it was so worth it.

I lived with Craig’s parents for the five months preceding the wedding. We respected our parents wishes not to move into together before we were married and although it was difficult not to live together it was definitely worth it. So, on our wedding day right before the ceremony I sat alone and reflected in gratitude.

Also, Craig and I made sure that during the reception we stayed by each other’s side and held hands as often as we could. We also tried to make sure that we thanked all of our guests for making the trip: personally by going around to tables and publicly by saying thank you over the microphone after the speeches were given.

Ceremony & Reception Site:  Carvalho Family Winery at Old Sugar Mill

Photographer:  Siegel’s Portrait Design

Caterer:  Jackson Catering & Events

Cake:  Shelton’s Wedding Cake Design

Flowers:  Garden Wishes

Favors:  We made them! Personally recorded CDs of music from our band The Two Steps

Wedding Dress & Bridesmaid Dresses:  David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup:  Terri Wangler from Space 07 Salon. She’s absolutely one of the most wonderful people I know.

Invitations:  Wedding Paper Divas

DJ/Entertainment/Band:  Extreme Productions Entertainment

Honeymoon location:  Orlando, Florida

First Dance Song:  ”I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  I would suggest to give yourself at least a year. Pay attention to each other’s needs and wants for the day. Craig didn’t have many opinions, so the things that he wanted to have (black and white table cloths for a supper club feel, vanilla cake on the top tier for our one year anniversary, and no roast beef) I was happy to honor.

Keep in mind the budget. We didn’t have a fixed budget at the beginning, so when Craig’s mom took over the planning we had spent a little bit that was unnecessary. Thankfully she got us back on track!

If you have the chance to do premarital counseling I would suggest to do it! We learned a lot and our pastor counseled us very wisely.

Lastly, get registered on the The Knot and follow the timeline suggestions on the To-Do list. That Web site saved us so much time and effort!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No! It was a perfect day!

Photos courtesy of Siegel’s Portrait Design.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!