The Couple: Sophia & Blake
Wedding Date: August 27, 2016
Photography by Snowline Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: I was invited to a New Year’s Eve party where I was introduced to Blake. We started talking and immediately clicked. We look back on it now and feel it was totally God! We both weren’t looking for a relationship but we became inseparable ever since.
With Blake coming into my life it has changed toward everything good. He makes me want to be a better person and he has been a big support in my life. He was there for me when my dad had a stroke and passed away a couple of months later. The day he proposed we took my sons to the river for the day we were playing and having a good time. Blake started talking about our relationship and how much he loved me and he brought out the most beautiful ring and said he couldn’t live without me and asked me to marry him!! It was an intimate setting with our family around it was beautiful!! We planned our wedding together with our family along with the help of Deanna at the Fausel Ranch she has so many leftover wedding decorations that brides have left for others to use. She filled in the gaps and helped us so much! We included the boys in our wedding party. I have three sons Austin my youngest was the ring bearer and my oldest boys Jonathan and Joshua walked me down the isle. We did a sand ceremony with them along with our butterfly release.
What was the most amazing part of your day? I love butterflies so we did a butterfly release with our family during the ceremony. As we were opening the little envelopes one flew on me and stayed the rest of the ceremony until Blake kissed me then everyone said it flew away. I lost my dad a year and a half from our wedding day and I know it was him blessing our special day.
What else would you like to share about your big day? Other highlights of our day was we didn’t see each other before the wedding or a first look but we did hold hands by the brides room Blake on one side of the door and me on the other and we said a prayer before we went down the isle. Before I walked down the steps from the brides room I was so excited I took a deep breath and walked through the door and down the steps to my oldest son who took my left arm then down so my second oldest who took my right arm. I was so proud in that moment I couldn’t stop smiling. Blake said that was the most memorable part for him too anticipating seeing me for the first time!
When we did our toasts I surprised him with a song I sang called ‘I Do” by Jesse James. I shocked many who have never heard me sing before and Blake was totally surprised and tried to hold back emotion. We held hands as I sang and I squeezed his during special parts of the song. It was a beautiful moment! I still cry talking about it.
Ceremony and Reception Site: Fausel Ranch
Officiant: John Loera from Green Valley Church
Photographer: Snowline Photography
Caterer: Old Town Grill – John was amazing!
Cake/Desserts: Farmers’ Delicatessen
Flowers: Costco
Favors: We made his and hers favors. Blakes’s homemade BBQ rub and Sophia’s homemade peach pepper jam.
Bridal Attire: Renfros
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amazon
Make-up: Shelly Turner, My best friend
Invitations: Costco
Honeymoon Location: Maui. It was our first time! We enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Westin with snorkeling, swimming, the road to Hana, a Luau and wonderful Hawaiian food! Provided by Blakes’s grandma and our friends and family contributed to a honeymoon fund.
First Dance Song: “Tangled” by Aaron Lewis
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? No matter how much you plan, not everything goes the way you want it. No matter what, it is the most beautiful and memorable beginning of your life together!
Photos courtesy of Snowline Photography.
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
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