The Couple: Trista & Chris
Wedding Date: September 15, 2012
Photography by Foothill Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Chris and I were set up about 3 years before we actually started to date by our best friends. I was busy being young and not ready to settle down. I am so thankful that Chris was still around when I was ready because he is truly my missing piece!
The proposal was at the Surprise Valley Hot Springs Resort. We got the suite as a Christmas present so it wasn’t expected until I saw how nervous Chris was… which made me nervous!! He said he tried to propose all day, but it never worked (I said no to hiking out to a few spots).
So, we had dinner catered to our suite and as soon as I put the 1st bite of food in my mouth he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife! I was beside myself tearing up then said, “Why didn’t you wait till I finished chewing?” Very typical of me to say just the right thing!!!! I cried more and said, “yes!”
Chris is truly an amazing man and I knew how lucky I was that he picked me!
What was the most amazing part of your day? It’s a completely surreal moment seeing each other from across the aisle. It’s as if everyone faded away. It truly felt like a frozen moment and nothing was better than that.
What else would you like to share about your big day? We knew we wanted a wedding that reflected us 100% which translates to a lot of DIY. From constructing our bar with a top made of pennies, the reception site with over 700 ft of lights, to our crocheted koozie favors. The wedding had a lot of Pinterest ideas for sure, but Chris actually had so many great ideas as well and it helps he is so handy.
Ceremony Site: Emmanuel Church
Ceremony Musicians: Party on Cakes and DJ
Officiant: Ty Dennis (Chris’ co-worker at the fire department)
Reception Venue: Private Property
Photographer: Foothill Photography
Caterer: Kelly Townsend
Cake/Desserts: Jessica Rains
Flowers: The bridal party and my friend, claudia savage, did them with thrift shop vases and farmer’s market flowers we bought that morning for $250. Some of the other customers were upset we bought them all! Then the next day we brought them to a local nursing home they were so excited to see that many flowers.
Favors: My client hand crocheted 180 koozies
Bridal Attire: Bridal Gallery
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Forever 21
Hair and Make-up: Crimson Rose
Invitations: Vistaprint
Signage: DIY by the groom
DJ/Entertainment/Band: Party on Cakes and DJ
Lighting: Target
Décor Rentals: Purchased from thrift shops
Furniture Rentals: Fire station table and chairs
Honeymoon Location: We booked our honeymoon (actually one of my bridesmaids did the morning of our wedding) to Thailand and we left the day after our wedding! And, yes it was kind of planned that way. Chris really pushed for it to happened like that. I resisted, but then got busy planning so by default he got his way. We only got our plane tickets to Bangkok then when we got there, we island hopped with no plans. It was a great adventure to share with each other, but not the usual honeymoon. With Chris nothing is ever typical and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out that we missed in the above questions? No other vendors, but a big thank you to our family and friends! They did so much to help.
First Dance Song: “Give in to me” a country song.
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Do as much as you can but when that day comes relax and enjoy it. If things don’t go exactly like you thought … No big deal the most important part is each other. I would rather have an amazing marriage opposed to a perfect wedding. Plus you are the only one who notices the little things just ENJOY it!!
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Eloped… Ha, ha but seriously. Weddings are so fun, but so stressful especially doing a lot yourself!
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos courtesy of and copyright Foothill Photography.
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