Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 0
The Couple: Karen & Ryan
Wedding Date: February 22, 2014
Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Small world for sure! Ryan and I met through a friend from high school that I had reconnected with who happened to be marrying Ryan’s cousin. Ryan and I initially met when I went to hang out with her at Brewfest in Placerville.
After some time, we started dating and 8 years later married. Ryan is very laid back and in no hurry and that’s how we were, if it happens it happens. We were happy just being together. We were together 6 years and decided to expand our family and have a child. One of the best decisions we ever made. Ryan surprised me on my birthday with his proposal over breakfast and we then went to look at rings together with our son Wyatt. Family means the world and to do this together was perfect.
What was the most amazing part of your day? There were so many amazing parts! If I had to choose one I would say the guests and Ryan’s reaction to our two year old son walking down the aisle wearing a blue tux matching Ryan’s. Ryan was totally unaware that Wyatt was going to match him, the one thing I wanted to keep secret, and it worked out to be a precious moment.
What else would you like to share about your big day? We chose February 22nd to be our wedding day with a comment Ryan made when going over date choices: deuces are wild! 2/22 it was…our lucky day. The day was beautiful, 76 degrees in February made for some great outside photos and no stress of rain. We chose February initially since it is normally cold and we both wanted that winter feel, but it ended up being amazing.
Ryan had joked for a long time saying that if we ever got married he was going to wear a powder blue tux, 70’s style. No one took him seriously until the time came and he proposed. He was totally serious and we actually changed the color scheme of the wedding so it would tie into that powder blue tux. Sunflowers were a must as they are my favorite. Blue, yellow and grey it was. The colors, the tux, everything turned out amazing.
Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 1 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 2 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 3 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 4 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 5 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 6 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 7 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 8 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 9 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 10 Karen & Ryan - Photography by Eye Connoisseur Photography - www.realweddingsmag.com 11

Ceremony and Reception Site: Frasinetti’s Winery
Officiant: Erin Summ
Photographer: Eye Connoisseur Photography
Cake/Desserts: Hot Mama’s Cakes
Flowers: Nina’s Flowers
Favors: Beer Koozies from Koozies Galore and DIY CDs (with cd covers made by Chalkboard Hope on Etsy)
Bridal Attire: House of Fashion II Outlet
Bridesmaids’ Attire: David’s Bridal
Hair: Brandy Droke from Scarlett Salon
Makeup:  Shana Beals Makeup Artistry and Skin Studio
Invitations: DIY template found on Etsy
DJ/Entertainment/Band: DJ Ron West
Photo Booth: MSP Photo Booths
Décor Rentals: Simple Country Weddings & Vintage Décor Rentals
Honeymoon Location: We did a mini moon in Napa at the Meritage Resort and Spa; the spa is amazing and the wine tasting in Napa is one of a kind; big honeymoon still being determined.
First Dance Song: “To Make You Feel My Love” by Garth Brooks
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Have a plan, write things down, take ideas you see and make them your own, ask questions and make sure you are getting everything you want, do your research to get the best deal. If you’re a DIYer, become friends with the local craft store and download their apps to get coupons for the best deals (Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Joann’s). Shop and buy throughout the year, don’t wait till the end. I used Pinterest a lot and took ideas from those pictures to create the wedding of our dreams
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Nothing. I loved the planning, the organizing and the DIY part because it made the wedding ours.
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos courtesy of and copyright Eye Connoisseur Photography.
Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog! Click here:
[subscribe2]