The Couple: Maribeth & Lonny
Wedding Date: July 14, 2012
Photography by Andrea’s Images Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met while working at the Woodland Joint Unified School District. We were introduced to each other by another co-worker and friend of my husband. He met me and knew instantly that Lonny and I were meant to be together. Thanks to his efforts we met, got to know each other, fell in love and are now married!
Our engagement truly was special. Every December we go down to my family’s hometown in Mexico and then spend some time in Puerto Vallarta. Lonny proposed to me in the church where my father and late mother were married and where my mother’s funeral mass was given. My mother is buried in a cemetery just a few blocks away so we were able to visit her grave after I had accepted to marry the love of my life!
We both continue to work for the local school district (my husband currently an Elementary School Principal and me an Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/Governing Board). We had our first kiss on 8-26-09, got engaged on 12-27-11, got married on 7-14-12 and got keys to our new home on 12-12-12! It has been a very eventful and exciting year! We are now hoping to start a family.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Our mass was the most amazing part. Our Catholic mass was officiated by Father Arturo Bernal Palacios, who baptized me (the bride) and flew all the way from Spain to be a part of our day. He had just retired two years prior from the Vatican in Rome and remains a close family friend (he’ll be visiting us for Thanksgiving this year).
The mass was beautiful, the homily was very personal and sincere, the music magical and the church was FILLED with family and friends! Father Bernal Palacios has known me my entire life and also officiated my mother’s funeral mass in Mexico in 1985. It was a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by so much love and support on our special day.
What else would you like to share about your big day? We had family from all over come to our wedding: California, Washington DC, Guadalajara-MX, Puerto Vallarta-MX, Oklahoma, etc… We definitely had a huge Mexican wedding with 300 guests and it was a blast! Our signature drink was the “Paloma” (tequila, Squirt, lime and salt) and everyone danced the night away to English and Spanish music.
Ceremony Site: Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Elks Tower Ballroom
Photographer: Andrea’s Images Photography
Wedding Planner: We planned our entire wedding ourselves. Heather Puleo (owner of America’s Party Rental) was our coordinator the day of the event. She kept us on schedule and made certain all went smoothly during the reception.
Caterer: Vince’s Mexican Restaurant (My Father’s Restaurant)
Cake: Darlene DeAnda, A Family Friend
Flowers: Bella Bloom Flowers
Favors: Candy boxes with De la Rosa Mazapan candies from my family’s hometown in Mexico.
Bridal Attire: House of Fashion
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Alfred Angelo
Hair: Monica Sanchez from Lulu Luxe Salon
Make-up: Meagan Tyson
Invitations: Target
DJ/Entertainment/Band: DJ Adrian Galindo and Mariachi Jalisco
Lighting: DJ Adrian Galindo
Décor, Furniture and Linen Rentals: America’s Party Rentals
Transportation: Ultra Limousine
Honeymoon Location: El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma in Riviera Maya/Cancun
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? De Luna Jewelers, Mr. Adrian Blanco (engagement ring and wedding bands). Historic Gable Mansion (bride, bridesmaids and bride’s family photo location before church/reception). Borjon Winery and Wilderotter Winery (wine served at the reception). Ludy’s BBQ (they catered our rehearsal dinner which was held at my father’s restaurant, Vince’s). Sheraton Grand Hotel (room block for our guests). Men’s Wearhouse (groom and groomsmen attire).
First Dance Song: “This Year’s Love” by David Gray
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Stay organized! I planned our entire wedding from beginning to end and it truly is a lot of work. If you’d like to save money by planning yourself, make sure you get advice from family/friends in the event coordinating business. If you are planning your entire day, make sure to hire someone to be the event coordinator the day of. We hired Heather from America’s Party Rental and she was AWESOME! I handed her a schedule of events and she made it happen without us having to worry about a thing.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? We would have definitely had a videographer… we are still very sad that we didn’t at least have the ceremony taped since it was so special. We also would have hired a clean-up crew for the day after our wedding. Our wedding party helped us clean the entire ballroom the day after and we were all so tired (and a bit hung over)! Our wedding party totally ROCKED and helped us so much!
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos courtesy of and copyright Andrea’s Images Photography.
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