Blog

When I met with Valerie and Joe about a year ago, I knew these were a couple of cool cats. Over the next 12 months, I got to know them a lot better and was so excited when their wedding day finally approached. They found a small park next to a friend’s house known by the locals as “Arch Park” to hold the ceremony. After the wettest winter in years, planning an outdoor ceremony was a small risk. But in the month leading up to the wedding, we were back to typical Southern California weather…hot and dry! However, the week of the wedding…rain forecast. Not too bad but enough to cause a bride and groom to worry. On the day of the wedding there was a light sprinkle happening off and on all day. But this didn’t dampen the spirit one bit. Helpful groomsmen wiped down the chairs with towels, and the guests waited patiently for the rain to go away before they took their seats. As if weddings somehow circumvent the laws of nature, as soon as the parents started walking down the aisle, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and nary an umbrella was raised during the ceremony.  During their ceremony Valerie and Joe, along with Valerie’s three kids, Toni, Nikki, and Travis did a sand ceremony symbolizing their new family unit becoming one.

 

Just a couple miles away were Joe’s dad and step-mom’s home. In a tent on their driveway, the guests reconvened and awaited the party shortly to ensue. The charming bartenders, Blake and Emma, entertained the guests while the photographer; Ceara took Valerie and Joe off to shoot some amazing romantic photos. Once everyone was back and ready to go, the party officially began. To say “they laughed, they cried” would be an understatement. Valerie and Joe were overwrought with emotion and gratefulness. Every time Joe would dance with someone, like Valerie, his mom, etc., he would envelop them in his giant arms and give them a big Bear Hug…his own special way of expressing his thankfulness.  The formalities were emotional, beautiful, and a joy to watch.

 

Now the party…that was a different story. We all had a BLAST. Guests packed the dance floor as early as the dinner hour. (After everyone ate a delicious Rattler’s BBQ dinner that is!) One of the highlights of the night was finding out Valerie’s Parents, Ron and Mary Ann, were the couple in attendance who had been married the longest. (46 Years!) The party ended on a high note with lots of guests surrounding Valerie and Joe and giving them a giant group hug before saying goodnight.

 

 

Dave’s recommended vendors for this wedding are:

• Blake & Emma Brunnsman – Personal Bartenders – emmaandblakebrunsmann@yahoo.com
• Ceara McCarry Kranz – Photographer – https://www.facebook.com/cmm.photos2