{happy anniversary} marla + nick

Happy one year to Mr. + Mrs. Harris!

xoxo

Photographer: Troy Grover Photography
Venue: Bella Collina, San Clemente

{happy anniversary} andrea + tom

Happy ONE year to Andrea + Tom!!!

(man, you guys are gorgeous!)

Photographer: Becker Photography
Venue: Arroyo Trabuco

{happy anniversary} kari + eric

Happy Anniversary to Kari + Eric! They are the sweetest couple in the entire world...here's to a lifetime of happiness you two!


Venue: Franciscan Gardens, San Juan Capistrano
Photographer: Kara Layne

{real wedding} Chelsea + Roger part 2

Literally the day after their SF nuptials, Chels + Roger, along with family & friends, drove the 4 hours south to celebrate in Visalia. 

The ballroom at the Marriott

Candace helping with the dress

 

 Mom & Sisters doing what they do best!

 

Gorgeous Mr. & Mrs.!

 First Dance...isn't Chelsea's dress stunning?!?!

I love this one...

Chels rocked the dance floor in her dress and later...

 

...in sparkly blue!

 

These beautiful fabric flowers were a labor of love!  Hundreds were made by Candace & her team of crafty recruits.

 I loved their table numbers...adorable photos of the couple!

This one was taken right after their courthouse ceremony...I love her excitement!

 

It was such a fun night with great friends! 
Congrats again Mr. & Mrs. Knoren!!

Venue/Caterer: The Visalia Marriott
Cakes & Monogrammed Sugar Cookies: Goodies Cookies
Photography: Stephanie G
DJ: Kenny Link

{real wedding} Chelsea + Roger part 1

One of my favorite people got married this past February.  Well, technically she got married in January...and again in February, twice.  :)  All to the same guy of course!  Roger is from the Netherlands and due to lovely Visa issues they had a courthouse ceremony to satisfy our government, followed by an intimate gathering of family & friends at Sunnyside Conservatory & a delicious meal at The Cliff House, then a somewhat larger than intimate reception at the Visalia Marriott.

I've known the Vander Kooi family since high school (Candace {sis #1} & I are the same grade).  They're the type of people who make you feel like family from the start!  In college Candace, Chelsea, our friend Stephanie & I got to live together our senior year, & 7 years ago Candace married one of my childhood friends, so we've shared lots of fun memories together...and keep adding more every day!  I'm truly blessed to call these girls friends.     

The Beautiful Bride

Candace & Chels in her cute SF apartment

  

Candace's husband Robby performed the ceremony

 

 You couldn't ask for a more beautiful venue...

 

Chelsea's good friend Rosalinda sang, & Candace played/sang a beautiful song she wrote just for Chels + Roger (see song details here)

 

Love, laughter & yummy cake!

Mr. & Mrs. Knoren!

Mother of the Bride, Tamyra

 

How cute is Chels' 2nd dress?!?!

 

Ceremony Venue: Sunnyside Conservatory
Caterer: The Cliff House
Photographer: Friends/Family of the B&G

All the Queen's Horses

On April 27th I had the honor of being a part of sending the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls off to see the Queen.  Yes, you heard me correctly...the Queen of England.  As I type they are currently representing the United States and the American Cowboy at Queen Elizabeth's 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle.

And let me tell you, we couldn't ask for better representation.  These ladies are insanely talented but more than that, the Riata Ranch International program develops girls into well-mannered, hard-working women of character.  Jennifer Welch-Nicholson is carrying on the legacy of the late founder Mr. Tommy Maier.  It was my privilege to help send them off in style!

I wish I could take credit for this idea but I just helped facilitate it...luckily my mom let me dismantle the TV her uncle had given her in the 70's to create this phenomenal iPad prop that looped Queen Elizabeth's original coronation footage.

I was THRILLED with how these commemorative wine glasses turned out!  Each guest went home with one...Riata's logo on one side, the Diamond Jubilee logo on the other.

With the guest of honor herself, Mrs. Jennifer Welch-Nicholson

We combined the nostalgic with the next generation...each table had a vintage photo & a recent one on top of a red bandana, flanked by an American flag and Union Jack.  Simple yet eye-catching.

Now tell me, can you do this on a galloping horse?!?!

Venue & Catering: Marriott at the Visalia Convention Center

{venue spotlight} Holland Park West

I LOVE being introduced to new venues.  Holland Park West in Fresno, CA is no exception.  The grounds are peaceful and beautiful.  There's lush landscape, bubbling brooks and sparkling fountains everywhere you turn.  I can't wait for Chelsie + Brett's wedding next month!

To see more of this beautiful venue, check out Mark Janzen Photography, who also happens to be the photographer capturing Chelsie + Brett's big day!