The Couple: Michelle and Malachi Fonda
Wedding Date: October 17, 2009
Photography by Sarah Dawson Weddings & Portraits
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We live in sunny Oxnard, California. I teach special education to students with severe Autism and Malachi is a SeaBee in the US Navy. We met through mutual friends, in fact two of my best friends are married to two of his best friends! We love to hike, camp, cook and take drives down the coast on Malachi’s motorcycle. We are best friends as well as lovers, and everyday we feel blessed to have found each other. We always tell ourselves, it’s just not fair that we are so happy!
What was the most amazing part of your day? After being married by Malachi’s best friend, the most amazing part for us was walking back down the aisle together after being married…it was such a surreal, exciting and happy feeling knowing that we were now man and wife. Also, being surrounded by so many people who we love and who love us. It was just such a happy day!
What else would you like to share about your big day? It was definitely a DIY event. So many people came together to make this day a success! I went above and beyond to add personal touches wherever I could. One of my friends made the ring bearer’s adorable pillow. I made a chalkboard seating board and mini chalkboard table numbers. My bridesmaids and I made batches of homemade sangria for the reception. For our guest book, we had each guest choose and sign a rock. My brother, an artist, hand crafted the stain glass panels that he installed into the arch that we got married under. And the list goes on and on…
Ceremony Site: Crawford’s Barn
Reception Venue: Crawford’s Barn
Photographer: Sarah Dawson Weddings & Portraits
Wedding Planner: The bride and her mother; and the day-of coordinator was Sondra Jensen
Cake: Threeflavors of cupcakes by the Ivey Patch
Caterer: The Ivey Patch
Flowers: B. Floral (the bride’s mother’s floral business)
Favors: DIY: homemade caramel corn in cellophane bags, tied with homemade tags
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from Bella Donna Bridal Salon
Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie
Hair: The bride’s best friend, April Monelo from Eternity Hair Salon
Makeup: The bride’s best friend, April Monelo from Eternity Hair Salon
Invitations: Michael’s
DJ/Entertainment: Ben McClara
Honeymoon Location: The Florida Keys
First Dance Song: “I’d go the whole wide word just to find you” by the Proclaimers
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? Bridesmaid jewelry by Jessica Lindeman from Beads on Main in Fairfield
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Make it personal. Add your own touches where you can, it makes it so much more special when you look back.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Not that I can think of, everything went so smoothly and everyone had a blast. It may sound cliche, but it was a perfect day!
Photos courtesy of Sarah Dawson Weddings & Portraits
