It was only a couple of months ago when I first met with Amber and James at his parent’s home in Castaic. Along with their vision for a romantic ceremony and a great celebration with lots of family and kids, Amber showed me photos on her phone of their dream of transforming the front yard into a beautiful and romantically rustic environment for the wedding and reception. Our first meeting doubled as a site-inspection so I could see the blank slate they were working with as well as help them with some logistics. They showed me the big tree they wanted to get married underneath that would double as the shade for the reception. I knew they had their work cut out for them but would pull it off somehow. What I saw when arrived on Saturday blew away my expectations. From the white aisle runner going all the way from the house to the tree, to the candle lit wood pile on each side of the tree, to the market lighting overhead on the opposite side of the tree, it was almost exactly what Amber had shown me two months before.
James’ uncle Daryl presided over the ceremony and told the story of how James proposed to Amber. At one of Daryl’s band performances in Santa Fe, New Mexico, James had the sound guy play their song “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis play during one of the breaks. He invited Amber out to the dance floor, and at the end of the song, got down on one knee (to the thunderous applause of everyone watching!) This song would serve as the theme of the wedding. Amber walked down the aisle to Haley Reinhart’s version, and the two of them would conclude the night with Elvis’ version. (I love it when a couple can musically “book end” their wedding.) Amber and James also had an amazing team helping them with their day. I got to meet their coordinator, Sarah, at the final planning meeting, and she was in constant communication with me from that day forward. At the wedding, she was anywhere and everywhere she was needed. (Decorating the tables, lining up the bridal party, lighting thousands of candles, serving cake…you name it!) Her father was also the photographer and videographer who somehow managed to do both by himself. (Color me impressed!)
James told me this group of friends and family loved to party, and party they most certainly did. Once the dance floor opened after dinner, it was packed throughout the night. We had to keep the party going past their original end time just to keep up with the revelry of the wedding guests. When it was finally time to wind things down, we ended the night with a few meaningful songs. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (obviously), “Benny and the Jets” for a sing along, and I threw in a little inside joke between the couple by playing their traditional road trip song “Giorgio by Morodor” by Daft Punk at the very end. (Hey…they told me they were taking a road trip or two for their honeymoon, so I though it was perfect!)
Dave’s recommended vendors for this wedding are:
- Sarah Brook – SarahBrookWeddings@gmail.com
- Carrigan Photography – www.carriganphoto.com