Real Weddings Wednesday: Presenting Rebecca and Chris Mathews

The Couple:  Rebecca and Chris Mathews
Photography by Ford Family Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Rebecca and Chris met by chance before a San Francisco Giants game in May of 2008 and were married in September of 2011. Chris grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and has lived there his whole life. He has worked in Downtown San Francisco for 10 years for a commercial insurance company after graduating locally from San Jose State University.
After being adopted from South Korea as a baby, Rebecca spent her youth living in Kansas City, Missouri and Fresno, California before her family moved to Sacramento, California after she graduated high school. After high school she spent her first year performing with the Sacramento Ballet Company as an apprentice before attending her parents alma mater; the University of Arkansas. After graduation, coming back to California proved too much to resist and she settled in San Francisco. Today, Rebecca works in Product Management at Peet’s Coffee & Tea.
Chris and Rebecca are avid sports fans and attending games, watching on TV or cheering together with friends at a bar is a frequent weekend event for them. Chris has eagerly adopted Rebecca’s Arkansas Razorbacks although he has had less success convincing her to be a die-hard Giants fan. They take any chance they can get to travel whether it’s New York, London, Tokyo or even much closer trips to visit family in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Rebecca is hoping to take Chris to his first live SEC Football game in the fall.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Near the end of our reception, after a whirlwind of a day, we were told to make our exit outside as our guests waved us off. Unbeknownst to us, there was a horse-drawn carriage waiting outside to whisk us on a ride down the street to our hotel suite. We got to climb up and ride off as all of our guests waved and cheered for us. It was so unexpected and such a wonderful send-off. It was a fantastic way to spend our first moments really alone together (besides the horses) as husband and wife.
What else would you like to share about your big day? We heard over and over again how fast the entire day was going to pass by. Even after experiencing it and making sure to take time to savor plenty of moments we still could not believe how quickly the time had passed. Not everything went flawlessly – the bride even put his ring on the wrong finger! But, those were the lighthearted moments that have made for the best stories and the biggest smiles afterwards.

Ceremony Site: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament with Deacon Anthony Pescetti from St Mel’s Church
Reception Venue: Sacramento Grand Ballroom
Photographer: Ford Family Photography
Wedding Planner: Barbara and Brice Harris
Caterer: The Culinary Specialists at Mulvaney’s B&L
Cake:  Shelton’s Wedding Cakes
Flowers: Ambience Floral Design
Favors:  Silver plated bells with ribbon. My mom purchased them online and bought custom ribbon with our names and wedding date on them. We tied the ribbons on the bells.
Wedding Dress:  Priscilla’s of Boston
Bridesmaid Dresses:  House of Brides
Hair & Makeup: Hoshall’s Salon and Spa
Invitations:  Papyrus
DJ/Entertainment/Band: SJ’s Disc Jockey
Wedding Ceremony Music: Rex Rallanka, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Photo Booth: Custom made by Brice and Barbara Harris
Honeymoon location: London and Italy for a total of 3 weeks.
First Dance Song: “When I See You Smile” by Bad English.
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Once you make a decision in the wedding planning process, don’t question yourself or second guess. Remember it’s your day and no matter what and enjoy every minute of it.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? We wish the reception could have gone all night!

Photos courtesy of Ford Family Photography.