The Couple: Krista Belli & Justin Hyde
Wedding Date: June 11, 2011
Photography by Grandeur Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met eight years ago at Rio Americano High School and became friends. We began dating in April of 2009 and eloped on Coronado Beach in San Diego on May 27, 2010. Justin works for the United States Coast Guard and we were given orders to move to Long Beach in the spring of 2010. We wanted a personal ceremony between the two of us because of our big move, but also wanted to celebrate with our families in Sacramento, which is why we had our beautiful wedding this past June in Rocklin. Justin is an active duty member, and I am finishing my degree in English Education.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Our photographer took us off site to a ranch in Lincoln for a bridal session before the ceremony because she knew horses are a big part of my life. We were able to take beautiful pictures next to an old 1940s dairy barn and with a Dutch Warmblood horse (my favorite!).
What else would you like to share about your big day? We created our own ceremony, which a friend of the family officiated for us. There were about 100 guests who attended, including new friends from our new home in Long Beach. We began our reception with the “watermelon crawl” and served salmon, chicken, rice pilaf, a summer salad, beer and wine. We had homemade decorations for the tables as well as wedding favors and a blown up picture from our engagement session instead of a guest book for our guests to sign. I would describe our wedding as “romantic elegant.” Overall, it was a successful evening and a beautiful wedding!
Ceremony Site & Reception Venue & Caterer: Sunset Whitney Golf Club
Photographer: Grandeur Photography
Cake: Sassy Sweets by Monique
Flowers: Brothers Popodopoulis
Favors: DIY by Jayme Hyde
Wedding Dress: Dreamnette Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Hair: Megan Keyes of Article Salon
Make-up: Jennifer Granatelli
Invitations: Hallmark
Honeymoon location: Oahu, HI
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? The amazing ladies at Alterations To Go in Carmichael!
First Dance Song: “Crazy Girl” by Eli Young Band
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Start early…something always seems to go haywire the closer you get to your wedding date! Relax and have fun with it. No one notices the hiccups at the end of it all, just that they had a blast dancing the night away with the new couple.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? We would have hired a DJ had we known better, but decided to create our own play list and set it up to a sound system instead. We wound up having a few people mess with it and play their own songs all night!
Photos courtesy of Grandeur Photography.