How did you and Dave meet?
Through my mom. Dave was my mom and dad’s personal trainer. My mom and I went to lunch one day, she asked me if I wanted to meet Dave to sign up for sessions. I didn’t really think I needed a personal trainer, but figured I’d meet him anyway. I ended up signing up for sessions for two reasons: #1 – He seemed to know what he was doing and was so passionate about it and #2 – He was hot :)
About the 3rd session, Dave was stretching me on a stretch table, and asked me if I wanted to go to his co-worker’s 30th birthday party, which was a black tie event. I had nothing to wear but agreed to go and asked him how long I had to get ready. Dave said he would pick me up in 3 hours! I rushed home, dug through my closet, found something to wear. From that first date, we have honestly been inseparable – we had an instant connection!
Fast forward to the wedding day…
How did you choose your wedding location and venue?
We choose Lake Tahoe for the incredible scenery. We wanted a “destination” wedding, but we didn’t want the destination to be to be too far away from the Bay Area. We got married in Lake Tahoe, Nevada at The Edgewood Golf Course.
The Edgewood sits right on the water. The golf course is so green and also drops back into this beautiful pine forest. The architecture of the building itself is amazing – classic Lake Tahoe cabin feel with huge geographic windows! The patio overlooks the lake and golf course. It is on the southeast side of the lake, so the sun sets across the water, it made for an incredible sunset on our wedding day! Their food is amazing too – we served table side and offered filet minion, pistachio stuffed chicken breasts, and a vegetable wellington. We served a full, open bar too :)
Interview continues below the gallery…
Tell us about your style and wedding design inspiration:
The style of our wedding can be described as rustic, classy, simple and elegant.
Our color palette was navy blue and burnt orange or persimmon. We choose the navy blue to represent the water, the persimmon was inspired by the inside of the venue. It had beautiful vaulted ceilings with triangular floor-to-ceiling windows. The wooden beams were already up lit with gorgeous golden lighting.
Melissa our wedding coordinator, painted our wine bottles navy blue for the centerpieces. She used an oven to remove the bottle’s labels, then painted them.
My flowers were all different species of orchids and calla lilies. I grow orchids as a hobby, so it was only natural to have them as my bouquet, and throughout the arrangements! I choose lilies because my first horse was named Lily, (riding was a huge part of my childhood and into my college years), plus it seemed like the perfect flower to offset and compliment the orchids.
Why did you choose to do a first look and would you recommend it to other couples?
Yes. Ms. Angie Capri hunted and found a beautiful cabin just down the road from the hotel where we were getting ready. She had Dave standing on one side and had me walk up on the other side. We met at the corner of the cabin, our hands touched, then we got to see each other for the first time, and be in our own little world!
I highly recommend doing a first look! I left it up to Dave to decide, and I’m so glad we did one! It took a lot of pressure off of the “big moment” of walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time then. It was also one of the only moments of the day that we had to spend together, before the rest of the festivities began! It also made for incredible photos that really captured our honest emotions as we saw each other, and only each other. Angie really captured our personalities, our love for each other, and excitement in that moment!
Continues in Part 2, click here.
The team: Photographer: Angie Capri Photography // Hair & Makeup: The Makeup Movement // Wedding Coordinator: Melissa from A Touch of Grace // Dress: Design by Lian Carlo from Kinsley James Couture Bridal // Bridesmaids Wrap Dresses: Lilac Dress Boutique Alameda, CA // Florist: Thrans Flowers // Desserts: Flour Girl Wedding Cakes // Custom Hanger: Hanger Design Center // Custom Ring Holder & Table Numbers: That Family Shop // Flower Girl Basket: Burlap Pew Cones Etsy // Wine Bottles & Place Cards: A Touch of Grace // Bridal Shoes: Ann Klien // Bridal Jewelry: Magic Creations by Kinsley James // Getting Ready Hotel: Grand Residence Marriott, Lake Tahoe, NV // Wedding Venue: The Edgewood Golf Course, Lake Tahoe, NV