When we started planning, we envisioned a wedding day that reflected the two characteristics we admire most - humor and heart. It was just as we'd dreamed and very "us."
Aesthetically, we wanted our wedding to be beautiful and romantic, yet colorful and fun. Calamigos Equestrian was the perfect venue to help us achieve our vision. We worked with Kerim at My Wedding Blooms to create gorgeous, vibrant flower arrangements and bouquets in shades of pink and purple. Laura's brother, Miles, designed fantastic table signs highlighting some of our favorite places where we've shared funny moments and made lasting memories. We commissioned a custom cake topper featuring our adorable cat Portia. And we displayed pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days to celebrate the tradition of marriage in our families.
To our surprise (and delight!) the day went perfectly. The ceremony was just the right blend of sentimental and funny, led by our officiant extraordinaire, Steve Mallory, who has been a great mentor to Laura for several years. We wrote our own vows, which made the ceremony feel personal and special to us. The reception ran like clockwork and the food was great, thanks to Virginia, Steven and their staff at Calamigos, as well as and our DJ, Lee Dyson. The music was just as we wanted - a mixture of our favorite songs and hits to keep the crowd dancing and having a good time. And the speeches were heartfelt and emotional and funny, which we loved.
At the end of the day, we had fun, our guests had fun and the day was magical for us. We wouldn't have changed a thing. - from the Bride
Wedding Advice from bride: When planning...
-Don't be afraid to make decisions and own them. If you second guess everything, you'll drive yourself crazy!
-Find vendors whose work and personalities you like. Everything will work out great.
-You can't please everyone, and that's ok. Just remember that this wedding is about you and your partner.
-Pick and choose which details you want to make final decisions about, and delegate tasks that are not as important to you to loved ones who want to help.
-Expect that things may go wrong, and be ok with that. It's the imperfections that make the funniest stories. And if everything does go as planned, you can be pleasantly surprised and consider yourself very lucky!
-On your wedding day, focus on the present, take it all in and live it. Everyone will tell you that, but it's true. Let everything else go, and experience the day as it happens.When the ceremony is over and you turn around to face the audience as a newly married couple, take a few seconds to look around and at each other. Take in the fact that you're surrounded by people who love you and are excited to be there to celebrate you and your love. It's magical.
Photographer: Mary Costa Photography
Venue: Calamigos Equestrian
Wedding Dress: Pronovias
Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo
Florals: My Wedding Blooms
Hair Stylist: Jesse Duarte
Video: Studio West Video
Cake: Portos Bakery
DJ: Hey Mister DJ
