The Couple: Tage Flanigan and Josh Stimmel
Wedding Date: May 15, 2010
Photography by True Love Photo
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Josh and I met through mutual friends while living in South Lake Tahoe in 2000. Within days we became attached at the hip. After leaving Tahoe, we traveled and lived for sixmonths in his Volkswagon Bus until finally settling in Sacramento.
Being together for almost 10 years, he still managed to completely surprise me with his proposal. He proposed, on one knee, at our house the night before my 30th birthday. The next day we were able to share the news with a lot of our family and friends at my birthday party.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Hands down for me was Josh’s vows. He had stressed out for months about what he would say, and when the moment came, he had me in tears. His words were so beautiful and sweet, like nothing I could have ever imagined.
Also, walking down the aisle to a song my father wrote for my stepmother, “You Always Take My Blues Away,” was a very personal moment. It was also special for our families to meet for the first time. We both have large families, and we are close to all of them, so having everyone in one spot was awesome.
What else would you like to share about your big day? It was a Glamping wedding! Our site was a secluded retreat in Shenandoah Valley, on the banks on the Consumnes River.
It’s a weekend rental that included cabins and tents, so we were able to have 60 of our closest friends camp out with us the whole weekend. This made it so we were really able to spend some quality time with all our friends. From the hot tub under the stars, the camp fire at night, to jumping in the cold river to wake up in the morning, It was a beautiful and relaxing weekend. We were able to have our rehearsal dinner there on Friday night, and a nice big brunch on Sunday morning.
I planned the wedding myself, and to see it all come together was amazing. While we did a lot of the initial set up ourselves, we made sure we had an all star vendor team to make the day run smoothly. My biggest recommendation is not skimping on the food or photographer. My guests said they would have paid to eat dinner that night, and I still am amazed by the beauty Beth with True Love Photo managed to capture in her shots.
Ceremony & Reception Site: Rancho Cicada Retreat
Photographer: True Love Photo
Caterer: All Seasons All Reasons Fine Catering
Cake: Lauren Barton from Michelangelo’s Restaurant
Flowers: Ambience Floral Design
Favors: Mini LED flashlights engraved with our names and wedding date. (We knew it would be dark at night and most guests wouldn’t bring a flashlight. I still see them on people’s key chains)
Wedding Dress: House of Fashion
Hair: Savannah Blue of Rocket Science in New Orleans
Make Up: Tonia Williams
DJ/Entertainment/Band: DJ Larry Rodriguez and acoustic ceremony music by Evan Shuman and Nathan Jr.
Linens: Creative Coverings
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Honeymoon location: New Orleans
First Dance Song: “In Love With You” by Erykah Badu & Stephen Marley
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Enjoy the experience and don’t let the small things stress you out. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help, that’s what they are there for. Be wise in deciding which DIY projects to do because it’s easy to get overwhelmed with last minute projects.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? I wouldn’t have minded having someone video tape the toasts, they were fabulous, and I find it hard to remember what exactly was said.
Photos courtesy of True Love Photo.
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