The Couple: Karen Peck and Raymond Vincent
Wedding Date: August 15, 2009
Photography by Randy’s Fine Art Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: When we met, we each knew there was something special about the other. We both hoped and prayed that we would one day be together, but neither of us would reveal these hopes for some time. We met during a summer internship, become friends, and by the following February, Raymond could no longer hide his feelings. We discussed where we were both heading in life and it seemed like our lives were going in the same direction. Being faithful believers in God, we prayed about a future together. We came to the conclusion that God had brought us together for something special and began our relationship on February 18, 2007. Summer went and winter came. Then, one night, Raymond told me he wanted to take me somewhere special. As we drove, I knew we were heading to the rock quarry where we would go to study, talk and enjoy being outside. It was late, so we snuck in under the cover of the starry night. There, on top of a hill, on a bench, overlooking the city with stars like diamonds in the sky, Raymond got down on his knee and proposed with some diamonds of his own. I was overjoyed. I couldn’t believe it. We were engaged on December 12, 2007.
Two years later, our wedding was planned. We both knew we wanted a very traditional and reverent wedding. The ceremony was set to take place at our cathedral, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento. Father Wehr, a priest from St. Ignatius of Loyola in Sacramento, presided over the ceremony. Most of the Cathedral choir was present for the mass, singing the ancient Gregorian Chant and Renaissance Polyphonic masterpieces that Raymond had chosen, coinciding with our love for music and art. The ceremony went perfectly and we are so glad we had both a photographer and videographers there to capture every moment of it.
My wedding dress was simple, but elegant. The moment I stepped into the gown, I knew it was the one, as did my mom, my sisters and my best friend. The cameo I wore around my neck was something both borrowed and old. It was passed down on my father’s side and given to me by my aunt to wear on my wedding day. It was an honor to wear it.
The reception was held in our friend’s backyard. Their home is an old town grange and the yard slopes down into a bowl overshadowed with trees. The staircase leading down provided a grand entrance to the wedding party. Upon arriving to the reception, the wedding party stood as the guests came one by one to congratulate our marriage.
Reception Venue: Friends Home – an old town grange, the backyard was a grassy bowl, with trees and a staircase leading down.
Photographer: Randy Miramontez from Randy’s Fine Art Photography
Catering: Sharon Reed, friend of the bride
Cake: A two-tier, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and matching cupcakes arranged as floral bouquets by Shauna Snow, cousin of the groom.
Flowers: Mom’s Wholesale Florist
Favors: Rexcraft Spiral Notepads with Bride and Groom’s name and wedding date.
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Hair: Denise Ruiz, friend of the Bride
Makeup: Bride
Invitations: Rexcraft – Emblem Invitation
DJ/Entertainment: Chris Quandt and Nate Henderson, friends of the bride
Honeymoon location: Kauai, Hawaii
First Dance Song: We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman
Father and Daughter Dance: Always Be Your Baby by Natalie Grant
Mother and Son Dance: Because You Loved Me by Diane Warren
Advice for future brides and grooms: Delegation is key. Choose people you trust, talk out some ideas, and let them run the show. I am somewhat of a control freak, but I wanted to enjoy my wedding and I knew if I tried to micromanage every detail I would burn out or freak out on my big day. So I chose people I trusted and gave them the freedom to run the show. Just make sure they know if there is something you really want to happen. Your friends are there for you, let them help make your day extra special.
Photos courtesy of Randy’s Fine Art Photography.
To find out more about Randy’s Fine Art Photography, visit Randy’s Fine Art Photography online.
