Lakeview Estates Winery Wedding Inspiration: Spring into Love

To say we fell in love with Jenna at first sight would be an understatement—from her bubbly personality and her infectious laugh to her beautiful good looks and kind spirit, we knew we picked the perfect real bride model to star in our “Spring into Love” styled shoot in the current Summer/Fall 2024 that is on newsstands now. Here, we get to know just a little bit more about her and her love story with her now-husband Terry; and we share more photos from this simply sublime photo shoot!

Sacramento Tahoe Northern California Weddings

On Jenna: Jewelry by Adora by Simona; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

What made you want to model for this photo shoot?
Jenna: My wedding coordinator recommended I apply, and my now-husband Terry thought it would be a perfect confidence booster.

Tell us about your modeling experience.
Jenna: From the very beginning, the entire staff and vendors were super friendly, fun and honest. I was able to go with the flow and trusted their expertise to do what is best for the shoot, my body, and the end result. It was a very vulnerable position for me, but I felt comfortable with the team in place.

On Jenna: Earrings and Headpiece by Mariell; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

Did you relate to the concept/theme?
Jenna: The concept and theme was very clear from the beginning, my personal wedding was pretty opposite of the colorful and moody theme. This got me excited and interested in seeing the really beautiful details that brought everything together.

What was your favorite part of the shoot?
Jenna: Seeing the wedding dresses in their rightful glory in different settings of the mock wedding venue and ceremony. Each was picked for different reasons and my makeup and hair together made a statement for each style.

On Jenna: Earrings by Adora by Simona; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

Tell us about your love story. How did you meet? What was the proposal like?
Jenna: During the fall of 2021, both Terry and I went through a period of time that made us worried about finding someone. We both gave online dating one last shot, we talked on Bumble for about a week and decided we should meet in person. From the first dinner date, we felt so connected as if we had been together for a while. After that date, we’ve been inseparable. It was simple, heartfelt, and really genuine type of love.

In the fall of 2022, my crazy best friend (also my Maid of Honor), Justyne convinced me to do a weekend up at Donner Lake. We quickly got a cabin, planned our meals, got in the truck, and headed up to the lake. Terry couldn’t come up at the same time so he came up the following morning, where we shared a lovely A-frame cabin with a private dock out front on the lake. It was the time of year with the fog rolling over the mountains early in the morning and the first snow still on the ground. So peaceful and beautiful as the sun peaks over, warms the air, water, and town. Very quickly when Terry arrived, we went down to the dock on the lake. Justyne was acting a little suspicious as she made me and Terry walk out first and stayed back pulling out her phone. Justyne’s husband and son were also witnessing this with another phone out. Terry hands me a piece of folded paper, on it it says “Happy to Agree” with a date and my parent’s initials on it. The paper was a white folded crane, one of the Japanese wedding traditions to fold 1,000 cranes for the wedding. He got down on one knee, I was almost speechless and so excited! It was like a blink of an eye and we were engaged!!! Then, we took photos and called all of our family and friends on FaceTime to announce our engagement. We were able to enjoy the next few days together and spend some time in Truckee shopping, eating, and celebrating.

On Jenna: Headpiece by Blair Nadeau Bridal Adornments; Earrings by Mary K. Kendig; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

Tell us about your wedding day.
Jenna: On February 24, 2024, Terry and I spent the most amazing day surrounded by our families and friends getting married at The Citizen Hotel in Sacramento. We hired Haley from Haley Nyal Events to be our wedding coordinator, and she took over a few months earlier to prepare for the wedding day with her team. Our ceremony was small by design—we decided to do something very simple and had only our closest family and friends attend us on the front steps of the Sacramento State Capitol. We got a permit to gather in front of the capitol steps for a few hours to share our vows, be married by my brother, and celebrate with our families. We were able to take more photos and do a room reveal before our reception started on the Metropolitan Terrace.

The design of the wedding derived from the finalized venue being modern and romantic. Color scheme focused on black tie using blacks, smoke, white, and off white/champagne. It was to let the architecture of the venue stand out and to have a specific formal look for our guests to experience. The centerpiece of our wedding venue was our Japanese crane chandelier over our dance floor in the center of the room. We greeted every single guest coming into the venue, we were so blessed to have special moments with our friends and family during this time. Our dances started immediately, moments with ourselves and my father and his mother. Dinner served and we enjoyed our amazing food, then I whisked my husband up to our hotel room for a surprise that I kept for over a year. In the elevator with our photographer and videographer, I told Terry that I would be cutting my hair off and Katie Kyle was waiting for us in our hotel room to cut more than 15″ off my head! Terry had never seen me with short hair, he will thrilled, surprised, and happy!! We went back to bring in our custom churro dessert and surprise our wedding guests. From there the dancing, bar, and dessert was open to everyone! We danced the night away and enjoyed our unforgettable night.

On Jenna: Headpiece and Earrings by Adora by Simona; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

If you could offer any advice to engaged couples, what would it be?
Jenna: Hire a wedding coordinator or planner for the sanity of your mind, body, and soul leading up to the wedding and during—one of their jobs is to ease your stress and anxiety, they take all the worry away! It was the most important thing we did for ourselves and for our wedding.

On Jenna: Headpiece by Adora by Simona; Earrings by Mariell; Gown from Sparkle Bridal Couture

Anything else you’d like to add?
Jenna: Your wedding day is about you, things WILL happen like people canceling last minute and day-of issues, just remember: no one will notice! Focus on the time you have with your significant other on the most beautiful day of your life.