The Couple: Tom & James
Wedding Date: September 26
Photography by Joan Cusick Photography and Brian B. Fox Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met through mutual friends in the summer of 2004 and started dating in September 2004. Tom proposed to James ten years later on the outdoor patio at Aioli Bodega Espanola with 35 dear friends in attendance. We were married a year and two weeks later, keeping our celebrations within the month of September.
We have been visiting The Sea Ranch at least yearly for those ten years and as it turned out we had a trip planned two weeks after the proposal. Once we arrived and took a walk on the beach we knew Sea Ranch would be the place for us to share our special day with our large families and close friends. (Several local wineries were also under consideration)
What was the most amazing part of your day? The weather, the people, and the support of dear friends and family. Tom says: “When James said ‘I Do’ “.
Ceremony Site: Shell Beach at The Sea Ranch
Ceremony Musicians: Clark Smith, a solo guitarist, and personal friend.
Officiant: Janice Kageta Haftorson, she and Tom have known each other since Kindergarten.
Reception Venue: The Del Mar Center at The Sea Ranch
Photographer: Joan Cusick Photography and Brian B. Fox Photography
Wedding Planner: Kristen Carnes
Caterer: Uneda Eat/Pangea Catering
Cake/Desserts: Costeaux French Bakery and Trinks Bakery
Flowers and Lighting: Philip B Rice
Favors: Custom made wine glasses with our wedding logo designed by graphic artist and friend, Christy Probst
Invitations: The Paper Garden
DJ/Entertainment/Band: Golden State Productions
Décor, Furniture and Linen Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Honeymoon Location: New York City and a Viking River Cruise (Amsterdam to Budapest)
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out that we missed in the above questions? Custom Chef Michael Shugert of Sacramento did our “rehearsal” dinner for 30, at our rental home for the week, just a few yards away from the beach entrance.
First Dance Song: “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Relax and enjoy the day, trust the people you have hired, and hire good people. Many of them were friends or recommendations of friends.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? Invited more people.
Photos courtesy of Joan Cusick Photography and Brian B. Fox Photography
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
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