The Couple: Shannon & Matt
Wedding Date: August 22, 2014
Photography by Sweet Marie Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Matt and I met through mutual friends in our hometown in 2004. We were friends first before falling in love in the summer of 2005 on a lakeside, Tahoe vacation. Matt and I dated for almost 9 years before he proposed on the morning of July 14, 2013 by tying a beautiful diamond ring to the collar of our golden retriever, Georgia and waking me up with the most wonderful question I have ever been asked!
We spent 13 months planning our special day and after making many important decisions, we had dreamed up one of the most spectacular nights of our lives! August 22, 2014 was truly the night of our dreams, spent with our closest friends and family, dancing the night away.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Besides saying “I do” one of the most amazing parts of the day was getting ready with the girls! The memories and laughter created in the bridal suite that day are something I will cherish forever! From the personalized champagne flutes to FaceTiming with the East Coast, from the last minute transcription of my vows from a napkin I’d been saving for months to the look on my parents face the first time they saw me in my dress. I’ll never forget that day! So much love, beauty, and excitement to last a lifetime.
What else would you like to share about your big day? Each of my bridesmaids are off the charts amazing ladies and mean the world to me in their own special way! From childhood to adulthood they each have made impeccable impressions on my heart and soul and our friendships are something I hold close to my heart. I couldn’t imagine a better group of girls standing next to me as I married my best friend!
Ceremony and Reception Site, and Caterer: Vizcaya
Officiant: William Bradford Souza, Matt’s uncle (We jokingly called him Father Willy B Souza)
Photographer: Sweet Marie Photography
Videographer: Jenny Morgan
Cake/Desserts: Sweet Cakes by Rebecca
Favors: A donation made in our guests’ honor to two charities we hold near and dear to our hearts. The Drew O’Donoghue Adrenal Cancer Program Support Fund in honor of Shannon’s cousin, Drew and The Lung Cancer Alliance, in honor of Matt’s mom, Jane and aunt, Kris.
Bridal Attire: Bride To Be Couture
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Each girl got to select their own “little black dress”
Hair and Make-up: Amanda Natov
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
Signage: DIY
DJ/Entertainment/Band and Lighting: Fretty’s Disc Jockey & Limousine Service
Cigar Bar: Art of Cigars
Décor Rentals: Dogwood Party Rentals
Linen Rentals: La Tavola Linens
Honeymoon Location: Bora Bora
Mini-Moon Location: Incline Village, Lake Tahoe
First Dance Song: “Everything” by Michael Buble
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Remember, with all your heart and soul, what this wedding is really all about: the two of you promising forever. Don’t lose sight of that along the way.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? To be really honest, no. I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful 13 months of planning and more spectacular wedding day!
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos courtesy of Sweet Marie Photography.
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