Here to inspire you, it’s Real Weddings Wednesday! Today, we present Karen & Michael!

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met in 2011 while both working at Banana Republic in San Francisco. Karen was new to the job and Michael was supposed to train her. When they were first introduced, Michel was folding pants and said, “I’m not proud of this, but I’m really good at folding pants.” Infatuation set in immediately and we soon went on our first date, meeting at the Christmas tree in Union Square. From San Francisco to Santa Barbara, and now back in the Bay Area, we have been having fun ever since.

What was the best part of your day? Getting to celebrate with our closest friends and family, the dance party and the pizza! The day was just full of so much love, and that is what mattered to us the most.

What else would you like to share about your day? It was such a fun day! We spent a lot of time planning and had the best vendor team. We added some personal touches too including an original poem during our ceremony and decor including quotes from The Office. These little touches really made the day feel like ours.

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Any advice you’d give to couples planning their wedding right now? Definitely hire a wedding planner. Jess with Joyeux Events was amazing, and we had nothing to worry about day-of. This let us just enjoy ourselves. If you have to postpone or have a smaller ceremony due to COVID-19, just remember what really matters: starting a life partnership with the person you love. Good luck!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? It is hard to say, everything ran so smoothly (because of our amazing vendors). I guess I wish we had a little extra dessert to enjoy as a late night snack. 

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Karen & Michael's Wedding by Hailey Ayson Photography at The Maples Woodland

Photos courtesy of and copyright Hailey Ayson Photography, used with permission.

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