From the Bride…

Before the Ring:
We met in Austin. Ben was a 1st year MBA student at the time and I was visiting a good friend and classmate of his. It was actually their MBA prom at the W hotel. At the time I was dating someone else but we just couldn’t stop talking. While we each went our own separate ways that evening we kept in touch. When Ben came to SF we hung out and eventually went on our “first date” nearly 9 months later on January 7th.

The Proposal Story:
Ben proposed on my birthday. He planned this about a month in advance. His mother gave him a ring of sapphires and small diamonds as a stand-in ring while they would work on designing a ring together. The location was Cavallo Point, in between Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge. We had champagne on the terrace of a place called Murphy’s Circle first. He wanted to propose there but there was a family sitting next to us. After that we went inside and sat at a table that was setup alone in a room next to the fire place. While we were finishing the bottle of champagne and opening a bottle of red wine after we had ordered a multi course dinner, he gave me the ring.

Favorite ceremony memory?
Do I really have to pick just one? We honestly loved every moment – we wish we could relive it again. There were so many incredibly special things. From the toast in Cushings Cabin before the ceremony, to the absolutely beautiful service given by Ashley, Ben’s cousin, to the chair ride up and down, and then to the incredible dinner and dancing with all of the people we love the most in our lives.

Details:
We had lift tickets for seat markers, and ski mountains as our tables. Antique wood skis were our wedding guest book.

We had a beautiful white cake with raspberry in the filling and a white icing. We had an orange ribbon tied around it. Dessert was incredible beyond this, with a selection of artisanal cheese made at Deer Valley, and carrot cake and lemon tart.

Old, new, borrowed, blue – Blue sapphire earrings, engagement ring with sapphires, new bracelet from Janet’s mom, and borrowed antique diamond watch from Ben’s mom.

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography / Dress Store: Amy Kuschel / Dress Designer: Amy Kuschel San Francisco / Fashion Designer: Amy Kuschel San Francisco / Shoes: Gold peep toe Jimmy Choo / Jewelry: David Yurman / Event Venue + Caterer: Deer Valley Resort / Cake Designer: Deer Valley Snow Park Bakery / Floral Designer: Shelly Huynh for Orchid Dynasty/ Makeup Artist: Paula J. Dahlberg / Band: Salamander Music / Event Planner: Kristin Spears of Soiree Productions / Invitations: Nellie Barker from WoahNelliePress / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Photographer: Idalia Photography / Dress Store: David’s Bridal / Band: Excalibur / Floral Designer: Flowers by the river / Hair Stylist: HAIR by Melissa / Dress Designer: jcrew / Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Reception Venue: Raritan Inn B&B / Caterer: Redwoods Grill and Bar / Event Planner: Whitney Events / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

From the Bride…

The beginning: We met our freshman year in the dining hall on campus at UF. Damon proposed in Savannah, Georgia on New Year’s Eve 2012

The Dress: I wore a fit and flare lace gown by Jorge Manuel. It had an ivory to champagne colored satin underlay with lace on top of the dress. I wore a belt and veil that matched the cream and ivory tones in the dress. I wore pumps that matched my belt to the ceremony and Luchese cowboy boots to dance at the reception.

Details of the Day: Our bouquets and boutonnières were autumn and mountain inspired picking up on natural coloring with wheat and berries. They were just a little unkempt too, almost like the most beautiful bunch of wildflowers.

I wanted the decor to reflect the beautiful venue at Red Cliff. I wanted it to be reverent of the picturesque surroundings and just add a touch of softness and beauty. We used a lot of burlap and natural colors with floral and lace to soften the look. Most of my inspiration came from the beautiful setting in Park City. I love to decorate and had a lot of fun planning.

Guests left the ranch with little burlap bags with Utah honey and a caramel flavored bee candy. Damon’s sister made little tags with a stamp with our names and wedding date and the line “meant to bee.” We also did welcome boxes for our guests that they received when they arrived in town. They had necessities for the weekend from Kate’s energy bars to custom cozies.

Our cake was a 3-tier vanilla cake with salted caramel dressing. It was decorated with some of our floral and we had a wood grain cake stand and twigs that had our initials connected with a heart for a cake topper. We really loved the groom’s cake that Julie at Layers made for us. We are University of Florida alumni and huge Gator fans and she made a huge gator cake that we served at our rehearsal dinner.

Favorite Moments? My favorite moment was our sparkler exit and ride back to Park City in the classic car Damon picked. I was so excited to be married and so happy everyone had a wonderful time celebrating. As much fun as it was, I was happiest in that moment when I had a moment alone with my husband.

Advice to Couples in the Planning Process: I think the best advice was to allow the wedding to be an example of our love and not to worry too much about the details. I’m BIG on details but I think everyone most enjoyed seeing Damon and I happy and having fun. I wish I would have had a better plan for the rain though! We missed out on some of the things we had planned for our cocktail hour and I really hadn’t wanted to acknowledge the possibility of rain, even while it was raining.

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography / Shoes: Badgley Mishka / Dress Designer: jorge manuel / Cake Designer: Layers Cake Company / Transportation: Something Vintage Something Blue / Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Vera Wang / Makeup Artist: Versa Artistry / Caterer: Culinary Crafts / Reception Venue: Red Cliff Ranch / Event Designer: Scenemakers / Floral Designer: Scenemakers / Ceremony Location: St. Mary of the Assumption / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

From the Bride…

Before the Ring:
We met in High school. High school sweethearts as they say! We started dating after a winter formal dance. His friends and my friends all went as a group and we ended up hitting it off at the dance. He took me out for our first date two days later which happened to be on Valentine’s Day. Almost 10 years later, we got married!

The Proposal:
He proposed at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, a beautiful historic mansion in Akron.  It was the first big snow just before Christmas and he took me to see the Christmas lights. The grounds were freshly covered and everything looked so beautiful. We were outside walking as the snow was falling and he asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes!  Afterwards, we went to my favorite restaurant to celebrate and little did I know when we got to our table all of our family and friends were there to celebrate. I couldn’t believe everyone knew but me! I was so touched that he wanted to include all of our family and friends. It was an absolutely perfect night.

Details / inspiration for the wedding day:
I have always wanted an outdoor wedding and reception and I’m so happy we did it. We got married on the grounds of another historic mansion called the Tudor House on the lake that I grew up on.  My favorite part of any wedding is the outdoor cocktail hour before the reception.  We wanted our whole wedding to feel like cocktail hour.  We set cocktail tables all around the grounds and had multiple bars in different areas by the lake for our guests to enjoy the scenery throughout the evening.  We provided cigars for people to enjoy as well.  We rented the biggest tent available where our guests indulged in Old Carolina Barbecue and danced the night away to our friend’s 70s & 80s funk band.  The dance floor was full the entire night!

The color of our wedding was plum.  It worked perfect for a beginning of fall wedding.  My bridesmaids wore dress styles of their choice in any shade of plum that they liked. The groomsman all wore tan suits with different plum ties. The inspiration for the decor came from the Tudor House.  I wanted it to be authentic to the area.  My mom and some friends helped collect pine cones from the Tudor House and we used them in glassware as the centerpieces along with white hydrangeas and lanterns atop plum table cloths. I also cut pine from the grounds and used them with the pine cones.

We both come from big Italian families and I wanted to add a bit of Italy to our wedding.  We infused little olive oil bottles with oil and herbs and added little tags with our guests names and table numbers. They were able to take them home as a keepsake from our wedding day.  Instead of a cake we chose to have a spread of hundreds of fresh baked italian cookies. They were delicious! The whole day was even more spectacular than I’d imagined.  We loved seeing our guests have a good time. It was another perfect night!

Photography: Mindy Sue Photography / Venue: The Tudor House in Akron, Ohio / Tent, Tables, Chairs: Sully’s Party Rental / Catering: Old Carolina Barbecue / Italian Cookies: Delectable Desserts  / Band: Get On Up (70s & 80s Funk Band) / Flowers: Nikki’s Perfect Petal Designs / Invitations & Print: Meg Smith Creative & Hudson Printing / Dress: Abbott’s Bridal / Suit: Tuxedo Junction / Rings: Don Basch Jewelers

Two of Molly’s bridesmaids were recently married also so they really wanted to have a few photos taken in all of their wedding dresses together! Why not!?

From the Groom…

Before the Ring:
Molly and I traveled in the same circle of friends, although we didn’t really encounter each other face-to-face for a fairly long time. Though we had casually met beforehand, our relationship really started in October 2011 after a previous relationship ended. Molly and I began dating almost immediately and started spending almost all of our free time together. Molly would bake cookies and cupcakes for me, and we would go out to dinners and parties together. Pretty soon we were inseparable. I gave Molly a key to my apartment for her birthday, and every day I looked forward to coming home from work to see her.

The Proposal:
I proposed to Molly in Beaver Creek during their Thanksgiving fireworks show.  Molly had been up there almost a week and suspected that I was going to propose, but was growing frustrated because we were almost about to head back to town and nothing had happened.  Also, she had been stuck with both of our mothers, who both knew that I was going to propose and were doing not-so-discreet wedding planning.  I had everything perfectly planned out that evening, but Olivia (Molly’s daughter) threw a tantrum as we were outside that evening that forced me to adapt on the spot.  When the fireworks started, I had to pull Molly out of the condominium and improvise a private location for us to have the moment.  I proposed as the fireworks were entering their grand finale right next to the bridge going over the creek.  She said yes—even though she doesn’t remember.  She had to say it a second time because she had forgotten.  We then went back inside to have champagne and celebrate.

From the Bride…

Inspiration / Details of the Day:
Honestly, I was a terrible bride. My work schedule didn’t allow me to be as involved in the process as I would have liked… my mother-in-law and wedding planner did basically everything. Jon and I guided them, but I wasn’t super involved in pinning and researching other weddings, etc… just didn’t have time for it. My wedding planner was phenomenal. Stacy Pisani of Alexan Events is outstanding.

Most memorable moment/s?
Definitely my daughter wearing her pajamas and cowboy boots down the aisle. She refused to wear her flower girl dress, insisted on being held during the ceremony, threw mini marshmallows down the aisle instead of flower petals…so sweet. Our entire wedding weekend was magical because of the friends and family who celebrated with us. Having them to support and love us on our day is one of the best feelings he and I have had. We had mule deer join us for the ceremony as well. That was pretty amazing 🙂

Any advice to couples in the planning process?
Anyone who tells you it’s fun is lying. It was one of the most stressful six+ months of our life, especially when trying to balance the needs of all involved parties. But have fun with it and use your friends as a source of love, support, and wedding wisdom. I would not have survived had it not been for my friends.

Photography: Brinton Studios / Venue: Beano’s Cabin / Wedding Planner and Floral Design: Stacy Pisani of Alexan Events / Invitations and Programs: Two Blue Doors / Hair + Makeup: Weemala / Bride’s Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore / Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo / Cake: Sugar Breck / Band: Tunisia Band / Harpist: Barbara Lepke

Before the Ring:
Becca and Ryan, architects by trade, met through a mutual friend at Tuesday Poker Night in a Denver dive bar.  They connected over a Jamison shot, discovered a common love of winter mountain sports, and before long, Ryan had an invitation to join Becca at her family’s Aspen home for the upcoming X Games.  Becca remembers of their parting that night, “We were walking away in separate directions with our friends and I remember looking back at him and wishing that he would look back, too.  I was kind of disappointed when he didn’t.”  Unbeknownst to her at the time, Ryan also looked back at a different moment and felt the same disappointment.

He Facebooked her the next day and they spent the next six years together.  They enjoyed the X Games, traveled often, went through a job loss, experienced death in the family, skied a lot of powder days, and came to know each other very well.

The Proposal Story:
When talk of marriage came up about four years later, Becca emailed Ryan some of her ring preference guidelines.  This made total sense in their straightforward, easy-going relationship.  Friends were convinced that the proposal would take place in an upcoming trip to Europe and excitedly talked to Becca about where she thought he would ask her to marry him.

Ryan, however, had a different plan.  He didn’t want Becca wondering all through the trip when he would propose and didn’t want to worry about losing the ring box or taking a valuable ring overseas before having it insured.  So, he chose an unexpected weekend already booked with a friend’s birthday party, a fish fry, and two days of scuba certification.  After successfully getting Becca’s Dad’s permission over the phone, he asked Becca if she would like to go one of their favorite nearby parks for a stroll.  She readily agreed but when they arrived, a weekly Jazz concert was taking place and the park was crowded with concertgoers.  The pair settled in to enjoy the music with everyone else and once the music ended and people started leaving, Ryan invited Becca to take a walk around the lake there with him.  Although it was 90 degrees outside, he excused himself to go grab his hoodie so he could hide the large ring box in it.  He recalls making little conversational hints but she was oblivious.  When they paused at a park bench to take in a view of the city, a dreamy sunset over the mountains, and a nearby fountain, Ryan told Becca how much he had enjoyed spending the past five years with her and how he hoped she would continue to spend the rest of her life with him.  She was ecstatic.  She loved the ring even more than her emailed suggestions.  She said yes.

Wedding Day Details:
Becca and Ryan chose Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa as their wedding venue.  Nestled at the base of the Continental Divide, the ranch not only offered breathtaking mountain views and an architecturally pleasing civil war era barn for the reception celebration, but it also offered what Becca and Ryan wanted most for their guests, an elegant yet unpretentious setting ideal to foster unplanned interactions and relaxing memories.  Over the weekend, their 82 guests would run into each other at Heck’s restaurant and swap stories of seeing horses in the meadow, enjoying a massage at the spa, exploring the 6,000 acres of largely undeveloped mountain landscape.

Planning for the weekend was an organic evolving process.  Both wanted their wedding to be entirely unique, inspired by who they both were and their love for each other.  “In retrospect,” Becca says, “it has a little bit of ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or ‘Alice in Wonderland’ although that wasn’t how we started out.”  They drew inspiration from nature, from movies, from contemporary floral designs, and from their love of the mountains.

After a visit to the floral warehouse with her planner, Jessica, she really started thinking about what flowers she thought were beautiful and how she wanted the arrangements to seem like they were naturally growing from the tables instead of placed “out of context” as just a vase on a table.

On Finding The Dress:
“Finding my dress is what really pulled everything together for me and helped me define our wedding,” Becca remembers.  When she tried on “Willow” by Jenny Packham, she literally started shaking and crying.  “It made me feel like myself and I knew it was my dress.  It was perfect.”  She describes the vintage inspired dress with its effortless graceful fabric, exposed back, and intricate beading as “natural and comfortable, not too structured or rigid.”  Just like them.  Just like their wedding.

Their Advice to Couples in the Planning Process:

1. Drink lots of wine! Make an event out of your planning.  Plan to make (for example) two decisions over a glass of wine in the evening and if that goes well, pour another glass and make some more decisions. This relaxing and celebratory strategy makes for easier conversations and makes the planning more fun.
2. Decide and Move On. Be respectful of other people’s input but don’t ask for too many opinions.  Be true to your nature and stick with your decisions.

Photography:  Karen High Photography  / Venue:  Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa in Tabernash, Colorado / Event Coordination:  JA Special Events / Floral:  Statice Floral / Bridal gown:  Willow by Jenny Packham at Little White Dress / Officant:  Steve Peterson, YMCA chaplain / DJ:  Sound Choice Entertainment

Details of the Day:
Family trees were displayed at the reception, wire trees were the table centerpieces, and rather than having a unity candle or a sand ceremony, they had a tree planting ceremony. Robbie and Courtney’s families brought dirt from the each of the couple’s childhood homes. A tree for Robbie and Courtney’s future home was place on the alter. After each mother was escorted down the aisle, she would dumped her yard’s dirt into the new tree’s pot. Courtney and Robbie then watered the tree during the ceremony.

And because her grandmother was barefoot, Courtney walked down the aisle barefoot. Another moment to note was the surprise gift from Robbie of a strand of pearls and earrings. These also play into their summer camp love story. At summer camp Courtney wore a strand of fake pearls and Robbie would pull Courtney by the necklace to sneak her away to give her a kiss. – As told by The Collection

Photographer:  The Collection / Floral Designer: Enchanted Florist Nashville / Culinary: Flavor Catering / Reception Venue: Front Porch Farms / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

From the Bride…

Before the Ring:
Sean and I met freshman year at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) in a two semester long class that is required for all new students. During the second semester Sean invited me out to Piccola’s for lunch and we ended up staying there for three hours just talking. We remained good friends for about two years before we started dating.  Before we started dating Sean moved into an apartment across the street from me.  Sean claims it was coincidence, but I think he may have planned it because we started dating shortly after 🙂

The Proposal Story:
Sean proposed back in January of last year, and it was a strange week.  Work had been crazy and he was acting funny all week long. One morning he told me he was going to have dinner ready that night, so I wouldn’t have to worry about it when I got home. Instead I came home to him and his friends partying that night. I went straight to bed and woke up and went straight back to work the next day without a word to him. The next night I came home and the table was set for dinner and there was a gift box on the table. In my head I was thinking, “oh great—he bought me a gift because he thinks I am that upset with him.” I opened the box and there was a ring box, I got nervous and opened it only to find a note that read “Whoops! Your gift is not in the box! You must collect all the pieces of the triforce to get it…” So immediately knew I was going on a Legend of Zelda (my favorite games) themed scavenger hunt to find my ring. The scavenger hunt allowed more time for me to get nervous and Sean laughed at me a couple times when I became flustered trying to find the pieces. It sort of became a family event because our two cats followed us around the house the entire time and even were rubbing against Sean while he was down on one knee proposing. I was totally caught off guard, but it was a beautiful moment that I will always cherish.

Photography: Audra Wrisley / Venue: Keswick Vineyards / Floral Design: Verde Natural Florals / Doughnut Truck: Carpe Donut / DJ: Andy Wilfong / Rentals: MS Events / Music: Classical Hillbillies / Cakes: Beth Christiano / Catering: BBQ Exchange 

“When we asked Marewa and Davie to tell us a little bit about them they certainly gave everyone in the studio a bit of a laugh when they told us that they just can’t play Monopoly together as they are both far too competitive! In the past the battle to procure ‘Park Lane’ has proven to be too much, and their last attempt at the game caused them to return from their holiday on the first night after Davie won… Oops!

Competitive nature aside, these two are quite obviously perfect for each other. Their enthusiasm for life has taken them to many different places over the last six years, and they’ve already completed some huge projects together such as building their first house. Pretty impressive for a couple in their 20s!” – Alpine Image Co.

Photography: Alpine Image Co.  / Venue: Jacks Point / Makeup: Renee Little / Hair: Ginger Meggs / Flowers: The Flower Room / Bride’s Dress: Jane Yeh / Videographer: Lovelight / Celebrant: Phillipa Cook / Helicopter: Over The Top / Planner: Emma Newman Weddings

From the Bride…

Details of the Day:
We had homemade CDs for the favors (songs from the past 10 years together). We had them printed with a photo of us, and then bought kraft paper CD holders and applied a printer-sticker with a photo of my mom’s to the front of our initials she made out of twigs and copper wire. Also, V Chocolates- salted caramel in milk and dark chocolate. Julie at Layers made the most stunning cake we could have asked for. Julie listened to what we wanted and created something more than we imagined. Classy, simple, elegant and DELICIOUS. We loved that cake. Definitely a huge highlight.

Most Memorable Moments:
We laughed and cried the whole evening. It was more than we could have hoped for. To share such a magical, joyful and intimate evening with close friends and family was what made it so special. It was also incredibly powerful to share our vows with each other for the first time.

Advice for Future Brides:
When it comes down to it, the moments are the most important. Details have a place, but not in the moment as you celebrate and vow to a future with your one and only. Enjoy, savor and breathe! It went so fast! We were totally in the moment the whole evening and yet all of a sudden we were being pulled out the door and ushered into our car…make time slow down!

Photographer: Pepper Nix Photography / Dress Store: Alta MODA Bridal / Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew / Cake Designer: Layers Cake Company / Event Venue: Log Haven Restaurant / Event Venue: Log Haven Weddings / Tuxedo and Mens’ Attire: Nordstroms / Cinema and Video: Paper Rock Pictures / Band: Puddle Mountain Ramblers / Floral Designer: Roots, Inc. / Invitation Designer:The Write Image / Favors and Gifts: V Chocolates / Submitted via Two Bright Lights