The Couple: Adrianne Simon-Carlson and Christopher Carlson
Wedding Date: June 26, 2010
Photography by: Justin Buettner Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Christopher and I met in the spring semester of our freshmen year at the Sacramento State dorm basketball courts. We instantly bonded over our love of NCAA basketball, sports, our similar childhoods and our love of “The Cosby Show.”
About a week before the proposal, I got a call from a San Francisco jewelry store asking for Christopher. When the caller revealed she was calling from a jewelry store, she immediately passed the message on to Christopher in an effort not to further ruin the surprise. That weekend we were going to watch my little brother play college basketball in San Francisco and both of our families would be there, so I thought for sure he was going to propose there. Instead, he waited (I think he knew I was expecting it) and proposed on December 14, 2008, at his apartment in Sacramento.
Currently we work in the education system as a counselor and school teacher. In our free time, we love hanging out with friends, watching and playing sports (still), and playing with our new puppy, Bella.
What was the most amazing part of your day? The most amazing part of our day was walking back up the aisle after saying our “I do’s.” I think that was the happiest moment in our lives and we got to see that happiness reflected through our friends and families.
What else would you like to share about your big day? We actually love that although we had over 150+ guests. We were able to talk to each and every one of them multiple times for longer than just a “hi and thanks for coming.” It actually made our larger wedding more intimate and personal. We felt that our guests knew how much we valued them being a part of our day and really appreciated that connection. It also made them more comfortable and eager to get on the dance floor later on in the evening.
Ceremony Site: Croatian American Cultural Center
Reception Venue: Croatian American Cultural Center
Photographer: Justin Buettner Photography
Videographer: Justin Buettner Photography
Caterer: Croatian American Cultural Center
Cake: Ettore’s – Red Velvet, Lemon Chiffon, and Kahlua cake
Flowers: Party Petals Floral Design
Favors: Wild Rose Photo booth and Oreo cookies
Wedding Dress: De La Rosa’s Bridal and Tuxedo
Bridesmaid Dresses: J’aime Bridal
Hair: Marva from Jacquelyn’s Salon
Makeup: Molly Wilson
Invitations: Exclusively Weddings
DJ/Entertainment: Sonny Gallardo from Exquisite Events & Entertainment
Photo Booth: Wild Rose Photo Booth
Honeymoon location: NCL 7-day cruise around Hawaii
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? MGM Limousine
First Dance Song: “Head Over Heels” by Rascal Flatts
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Enjoy your engagement and the wedding process. It is so easy to get caught up in wedding planning that you forget to have fun.
Be sure to remember to truly show your guests how much you appreciate them. Consider their experience during the planning and try to make time for all of them during the reception.
Remember you don’t have to decide right away. If you’re unsure on a decision, give yourself a deadline and think about/research it. That way, when you finally make your decision you’ll be more certain and less likely to regret it afterward.
Have a friend/family member take pictures throughout the weekend. It’s nice to have pictures from your wedding right away.
Emergency kits will come in handy. Make sure it includes a sewing kit and eye makeup remover.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? I think we would have chosen to get married in a church. We absolutely loved our outside venue, but it was quite warm on our wedding day. One of my bridesmaids actually fainted during the ceremony. In retrospect, it would have been nice to have a more temperature controlled, traditional wedding ceremony venue.
Photos courtesy of Justin Buettner Photography
