Sacramento Weddings

 

Ashley and Gustavo (known as Jr.) met at California State University Sacramento and graduated together in spring of 2013. “We’re both in Greek organizations,” says Ashley. “We were working as volunteers at a coat drive when we met each other. We soon discovered we both shared the same major, criminal justice, as well as many of the same classes.” Jr. asked to borrow Ashley’s notes, and soon after, invited her to a party. “Before we knew it, we found ourselves inseparable and in love.”

Hired as a federal agent the following year, Ashley spent three months training in Georgia for her position. “When I returned to California in early July, Jr. told me he and my parents wanted to throw a party to celebrate my graduation,” she remembers. “During the party I was sent on a store run and got the surprise of a lifetime when I returned to the house to find roses leading up the driveway with handwritten notes describing different memories from our years of dating. Walking into the house, she was greeted with family and friends, photos, videos and Jr. down on one knee.

The couple knew they wanted to include the formal elements of a wedding, but overall, it needed to be fun, personal and unforgettable. With two very large families to accommodate, they decided early on for an outdoor wedding with plenty of space to party.

Overall, the bride recalls the entire planning process as being relatively breezy. “You always hear horror stories about wedding planning, bridezillas or couples calling off the big day and running away to elope,” she jokes. “We were definitely both a little intimidated in the beginning, but we had so many helping hands that the planning went very smoothly.”

Giving the ceremony those personal touches proved challenging, but they succeeded where it counts. “We had the added element of needing a bilingual ceremony, Spanish and English, as well as one that was respectful of two different religious backgrounds, which was rather difficult,” Ashley shares. “Our officiant, Prima Diva, helped us accomplish both tasks seamlessly. She helped us create the perfect ceremony that was unique to us yet still special for our families and with them in mind.”

The couple was married under a huge tree with perfect weather and sunshine. “The most beautiful part of the ceremony was Jr.’s grandmother being able to witness it,” shares the bride. “She’s been living in a hospital for many years now and one of our deepest disappointments upon getting engaged was that she wouldn’t be able to see us get married, but our venue coordinators helped us gain Internet access and his grandmother was given a front row seat via Skype to see the entire thing. It was perfect.”

Both the ceremony and reception were held outdoors at the Windmill Farm and Vineyard in Woodland on the beautiful, large grass area. “For weeks after, and still to this day, those who attended tell us our wedding was one of the best and most memorable weddings they’ve ever been to,” says Ashley. “I kid you not, it turned out exactly how we hoped it would. It was the most fun we’ve ever had—hands down. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to top that party.”

—Darren Elms