The Couple: Rolinda & Paul

Wedding Date: July 6, 2013

Photography by Photography for a Reason

Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met on a Craigslist ad. I was looking for someone to watch baseball with and he was looking for a camper shell. I also specifically said “No Dodgers Fan” (my husband is a HUGE Dodgers fan and I have always been a California Angels fan).

After 3 years, Paul proposed to me at my going party away at Cobblestone Elementary School. I was moving to another school, Sunset Ranch Elementary.

What was the most amazing part of your day? Having our families and closest friends with us to celebrate. My parents both passed away in early 2015, so we are grateful that we were able to celebrate our special day with them.

What else would you like to share about your big day? Just a special day for us to share with friends and family and also share our mutual love of baseball.

Ceremony and Reception Site: The Ranch House

Ceremony Musicians: Robin Richie (music teacher from school) played “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on her acoustic guitar as my Dad walked me down the aisle carrying my “Thurman Munson” baseball bat.

Paul rolled out a rug that said “A House Divided” with the Dodgers and Angels logos on it and declared that the house was now “United.” The rug is now on our patio.

Officiant: Weddings By Kevin

Photographer: Photography for a Reason

Videographer: Crystal Precision Media

Wedding Planner: Theresa Rainey

Caterer: Still Smokn BBQ

Cake/Desserts: Baseball cake by Angela Santos and “bunt”inis from Nothing Bundt Cakes

Flowers: Flowers ordered from Sam’s Club, arranged by Shelly Rabe. My bouquet had 3 charms on it-a picture of my husband and I at a ball game; a blue ribbon with a tiny silver baseball charm and the engraved heart necklace my dad gave my mother on their wedding day in 1954.

Favors: Crackerjack boxes with tags that said “Thank you for making our day a Grand Slam!”
Program “fans” with starting lineup, coaching staff, rookies, shortstops and free agents listed on the back (it was July and it was hot!). Popcorn machine with paper bags stamped with “Paul & Rolinda” logos on them.

Bridal Attire: Online

Bridesmaids’ Attire: Made by Maid of Honor, Sharon Crall

Groom’s Baseball Ring: K B Titanium Designs

Invitations: Save-the-Dates by Wedding Paper Divas; Logo ordered from Wedding Monograms; other printing by Custom Word

Signage: DIY.

DJ/Entertainment/Band: Kevin Hill

Linen Rentals: Celebrations! Event Rentals & Tents

Honeymoon Location: Gig Harbor, WA; Whidby Island, WA and British Columbia

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out that we missed in the above questions? I purchased several items from ETSY: the logo of our name which we repeated on everything from invitations to program fans. We set up a “Will Call” sign next to a chain link fence with individual guest “tickets” from Party Flair Designs attached with clothespins. Each guest’s name was listed with the table they were assigned to. All of the tables were named after ballparks we had visited – our picture at each stadium corresponded to the guest ticket. We had a sign that said “There’s No Crying in Baseball” next to a basket filled with “Snoopy baseball” tissues. There was a sign that said “May we have your autograph?” next to a photo book filled with pictures of us at all of the ballparks we have visited. Guests signed with wooden baseball bat pens. Our Dodgers/Angels jerseys were on our chairs at the Sweetheart Table along with Dodgers/Angels personalized wine toasting glasses from Royal T Designs. The guest tables were decorated with ball jars with red/white striped straws and chalkboard stickers for guests names. We placed peanuts in galvanized pails on each table.

First Dance Song: “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” by Elvin Bishop

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Keep it simple; take a deep breath; remember it’s one day in many more to come.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Not one thing. We both feel so lucky to have been able to put so many “baseball” touches in our wedding that make it truly unique and reflected so much of our personalities.

Photos courtesy of Photography for a Reason.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

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