The Couple: Cassi & Dan

Wedding Date: October 19, 2014

Photography by Photography For a Reason

Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Our story started on New Year’s Day of 2013. We had been dating for a couple of months and while snowboarding on January 1st, Dan asked me to make the relationship official and asked me to be his girlfriend. He started off with,… ““Wouldn’’t it be cool if as everyone counts down each year on New Year’s Eve, they were actually counting down to our anniversary?”” I said yes and from there, a fun-filled year of adventures ensued.

For New Year’s Eve of 2013, we took a trip to Disneyland to ring in the New Year. Dan planned the trip knowing he wanted to propose after the midnight count down (On New Year’’s Day) in the Happiest Place on Earth. He knew New Year’’s Day was a special day in our relationship and wanted to propose on the day that had the most meaning to the two of us.

Celebrating New Year’’s Eve in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle with 120,000 of our closest friends was magical enough. The castle was all lit up, there was live music, a count-down and a special Disney Fireworks display. To me, it was already the perfect night. After the clock struck midnight and we entered the New Year, Dan found the perfect place near a fountain to pop the question. Dan told me he really wanted to take a picture together for our first picture of the year. While together posing for a picture, he turned me toward him and began with the words, ““The last year of my life has been absolutely amazing..”.”

There were more words after that but they were lost in the magical moment. Dan got down on one knee, pulled the ring out of his pocket and asked if I would do him the honor of being his wife. Through the tears in my eyes, I said “of course” as Dan tried to slip the ring on my right hand. I gave him my left hand and he slipped the most perfect ring onto my finger.

The proposal was perfect in my eyes. He proposed in the Happiest Place on Earth, with my sister there to share in our special experience. And for the rest of our lives, we get to count down to the New Year with an extremely special significance and memory of the most perfect night.

What was the most amazing part of your day? The most amazing part of our wedding was being able to share it with so many of our friends and family. The love on that day was incredible. We were able to celebrate the beginning of our lives together with all the loved ones who had shaped us into the people we have become.

The singular moment that was the most special to both of us was when we saw each other for the first time that day. I hadn’’t been nervous or emotional all day. But when I turned the corner to walk down the aisle and saw my groom at the end, I lost it and the tears just started streaming down my face. My groom, he took a selfie with me in the background walking down the aisle (He asked permission the day before). He says it is his favorite selfie.

What else would you like to share about your big day? People told us that the day would go by so fast and to be sure to enjoy moments along the way. I feel like we both did a really good job of soaking in the moments. From the time getting ready with our bridal party in the morning, to the ceremony and the reception, I felt like we both took the time to just relax and enjoy ourselves. It sounds cliché, but I am glad so many people (pretty much everyone) gave us that advice. Because it made us both make an effort to really enjoy our loved ones, the experience and most importantly each other.

Ceremony and Reception Site, and Caterer: Croatian American Cultural Center

Officiant: William L. Nagle, Esq. – (Cassi’’s Uncle)

Photographer: Photography for a Reason

Cake/Desserts: Pam Uchytil-Velasquez (Family Friend)

Flowers: Mom’’s Wholesale Florist (My aunts and cousin put them together)

Favors: Personalized wine glasses with our initials

Bridal Attire: Brides ‘N Maids

Bridesmaids’ Attire: David’’s Bridal

Groomsmen’ Attire: Jos. A Bank

Rings: DeVon’s Fine Jewelers (Hers) and Jewelry by Johan, Inc. (His)

Hair: Amanda Azevedo from Studio Blue Salon

Make-up: Danae Marie’ Salon

Invitations: Printed by Orangevale Copy Center

Signage: Vehicle Wraps Inc. Sacramento

DJ/Entertainment/Band and Lighting: Extreme Productions Entertainment  (Seriously the best DJ ever!)

Photo Booth: New Vision Photo Booths

Transportation: Galaxy Limo

First Dance Song: “Hey Pretty Girl” by Kip Moore

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? FROM ME: I want to give the same advice I was given, enjoy the moments throughout the day because the day doesn’t last but the memories do. Once the day comes, set aside everything else in the world and enjoy your special day.

FROM MY HUSBAND: Remember that most likely your bride has been dreaming of this day ever since she was a little girl. Do everything you can to try to make sure she enjoys herself. Even if that means driving to the venue first thing in the morning to give her maid of honor a pack of playing cards because they need some for whatever reason.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? FROM ME: I honestly have nothing. In my eyes, our day was perfect.

FROM MY HUSBAND: I would have tried to have more fun taking the formal photos after the ceremony. That was the first thing we did as husband and wife and I was kind of a butt about it. Oh yeah, and a longer honeymoon is always better!

Photos courtesy of Photography for a Reason.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

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