The Couple: Natalie & Zack
Wedding Date: August 11, 2018
Photography by Justin Buettner Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met 8 years ago in college, I was playing volleyball and he was on the rodeo team, after we met we were dating one month later! We dated through college for 8 years before he proposed.
I absolutely adore Christmas lights, every year we tour the area for the best lit-up houses. In 2016 he took me to a light festival in downtown Sacramento. We were walking through a gorgeous lit-up forest, Zack started to lag behind and when I turned around he was on one knee, I said YES!
I did all the planning for my wedding with help from my husband, mom and mother-in-law. I was finishing grad school for my Doctorate in Physical Therapy so I worked on the wedding during the weekends and as a break from studying. It was a long process but so fun, looking back I am so glad I did it all because each decision is a memory.
What was the most amazing part of your day? The most amazing part of the day was Zack’s face as I entered the aisle, I’ll never forget that look. My other favorite moment was our first dance with our closest friends and family surrounding us.
What else would you like to share about your big day? It was perfect, although our venue almost burned down the week before due to the Carr Fire and it was smokey every day leading up to the wedding, our day was clear with beautiful skies. After dark, Zack and I took a moment and walked away from the venue, looking back on the lit-up tent with all our closest friends and family laughing and celebrating our marriage was so special for us.
Ceremony and Reception Site: Heart S Ranch
Ceremony Musicians: Stay Gold Productions
Officiant: Luke Geraty
Photographer: Justin Buettner Wedding Photography
Caterer: Tremont Cafe
Cake/Desserts: Sandy’s Specialties
Flowers: Tehama Flowers did the bride’s bouquet, the rest were DIY with silk flowers.
Bridal Attire: Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo – I had an amazing experience with them!
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Show Me Your Mumu
Hair: Emily Ashe from Elysian Salon
Make-up: Corinne Schali
Invitations: Zazzle
Signage: DIY. My husband and I made all the decorations for my wedding including the centerpieces.
DJ/Entertainment/Band: Stay Gold Productions
Décor Rentals: Snow’s Rentals
Honeymoon Location: Costa Rica
First Dance Song: “Cowboys and Angels” by Dustin Lynch. My husband is a professional rodeo cowboy, it was such a perfect song for us.
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Stay true to your vision but don’t get caught up in the fads, make the day special for you and your spouse, not everyone else. They truly just want to see your happiness and love, don’t worry about the small stuff!
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? We wouldn’t have changed a thing!
Photos courtesy of Justin Buettner Wedding Photography.
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
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