Courtney and Brad started out as study partners and five years later, ended up married.
Both physical therapists, Courtney and Brad met in their doctoral program when they were in the same lab group. Their friendship grew over time but romance was on hold until their graduation.
The couple wanted a spring wedding with a local, home grown garden feel. They married twice—once in an intimate, Friday chapel ceremony for immediate family and the wedding party at Saint Simon Catholic Church in Los Altos, and the next day in an outdoor ceremony and reception in front of 180 guests at the Los Altos History Museum. Courtney says she was “channeling Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday” in her short, lace dress.“I felt just like a princess,” she says. “It was the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn.”
Brad says marrying Courtney for the second time was the best part of the wedding. “All of our friends and family together, when does that happen?” he says. “It was the party of the century, basically.”
Jimmie, the father of the bride’s best friend for 40 years, performed the outdoor ceremony, which featured a “salt” theme, including a salt ceremony. “In the Old Testament, it is a symbol of purity and promise,” says Courtney, explaining that she and Brad “love to cook, entertain and feed” their friends. “[Salt] is a preservative, suggestive of creating a bond that is long-lasting. And lastly it enhances flavor.”
Prior to the wedding, the bride did a first look photo session with her father at her childhood home.
Later she and Brad did a first look at the museum, which she calls, the “moment that I felt so ready to start my life with my best friend.”
The décor was bursting with pastel colors like off-white and lavender, accented with gold for “an elegant vintage feel.”
A personal touch—the couple and many of their guests had collected more than 300 vintage milk glass vases for a year to be displayed at their wedding. “We loved the milk glass and it was a fun detail for all the guests as well,” says Courtney, noting many guests took the glass home as favors. “It was fun for them to see the fruits of their labor.”
Instead of cake, the couple served milk with 400 donuts and 200 donut holes. “We dipped donuts and fed each other,” says Courtney, noting they did not do a garter or bouquet toss.
The celebration also included a musical performance from the groom. Brad played drums on two songs halfway through the band’s second set. “The crowd went wild,” says Courtney. “Everyone was on the dance floor screaming and cheering and I was so proud to see him up there.”
The fun continued after the wedding. “I was surprised that so many people came to the after party in the hotel and celebrated with us until the wee hours,” says Courtney.
—Kristen Castillo
First Dance Song
“You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
Father/Daughter Dance Song
“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
Mother/Son Dance Song
“In My Life” by The Beatles
Last Dance Song
“Stay With Me” by Rod Stewart
Details about the cake
We had donuts (old fashioned, sprinkles, maple, chocolate, glazed) and donut holes, with a neighborhood favorite Rocky Road, made by our neighborhood friend and dessert chef, Howard Fish.
Details about the flowers
I wanted to be original and different, no hydrangeas allowed! I let my florist choose differentVint types of flowers with vintage colors and a flowing, romantic feel. I knew I wanted a floral crown as well! Our florist is a dear friend, and I trust her completely. She did an incredible job!
Details about the favors
Vintage matchbooks and take-home bags for donuts and Rocky Road, made by Mother of the Bride.
Anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
The most important part of this wedding was that we KNEW everyone that helped us. They are our friends. And if we met someone we didn’t know, we got to know them. This was the most home-grown local love-filled wedding.
We had a FABULOUS experience with the Crowne Plaza in Palo Alto where we had our room block. We owe it all to Kelsey Krimmer, who helped us every step of the way. She took care of everything from helping us with the goodie bags, to finding last minute rooms for our guests. We threw our after-party in our suite with a balcony over the pool. It was perfect. She is an angel.
We also had people stay at Enchante in Los Altos, an adorable French-styled boutique hotel located across the street from the wedding site.
For our bridesmaids we had monogrammed robes made by a local embroiderer, Russ Knab of Colorful Stitches Embroidery. He is amazing! He worked with us every step of the way, and is a bit of a comedian too.
We served Testarossa wine at our wedding. Testarossa is a local winery, and the Bride went to grammar school and high school with the family. We are members there. It’s tucked in the foothills of Santa Cruz, in Los Gatos. The Bride and Groom have shared many a happy glass of wine there!
We paid for an open bar. It was so worth it!
Because we got married in the chapel the day before, and were about to make our forever promise in front of all our guests that afternoon, we wanted a special moment just the two of us. On the iconic wrap–around porch of the historic house at the Los Altos History Museum, we had our first look before the outdoor ceremony. I walked up to Brad and tapped his shoulder. When he turned around, the reality of the moment ht us and we both started laughing and crying! It was both romantic and special, or private pre-ceremony rendezvous.
Halfway through the band’s second set, Travis (the bandleader) called my husband up to the drums! Brad had played with the Blind Pilots before on the saxophone, and at our wedding he jammed on the drums to ZZ Top’s “Le Grange” and the Black Crows’ “Hard to Handle.” The crowd went wild! Everyone was on the dance floor screaming and cheering, and I was so proud to see him up there.
All of our vendors were amazing! We used people that we had worked with before, or who came highly recommended. We had great rapport with all of then, and we had FUN! That’s the most important part!
Any tips you’d give brides and grooms planning their wedding today?
Don’t stress out. It will all get done. Wine helps.
All the stuff you learned over the years will come into play. Every party, dinner, event you’ve been to will help you shape what you want.
Keep your connections strong, reach out to people you know, and build relationships.
Listen to your mother (even when you really don’t want to).
Wine helps.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
If I could do it over again, I would have pulled my mom aside, and taken a step back to look at the party and everything we had done. We created the most perfect. I wanted a moment to revel in that with her. My mom and I did get the chance to get down on the dance floor together, so that will have to suffice!
Vendors
Ceremony Site:
Los Altos History Museum Officiant:
Jimmie Dryer, friend Photographer:
H & Company Videographer:
H & Company Wedding Planner:
Two Roads Event Co. Wedding Designer:
Two Roads Event Co. Reception Site:
Los Altos History Museum Bridal Hair:
Jillian O'Brien of Sassy Salon Bridal Make-up:
Amanda Pelham, Independent Makeup Artist Bridal Attire:
In the Olde Manner Bridesmaids' Attire:
Ann Taylor Flowergirl Attire:
Nordstrom Groom’s Attire:
Men's Wearhouse Groomsmen's Attire:
Men's Wearhouse Bride's Rings Jeweler:
Preziozi Italian Jewels Groom's Rings Jeweler:
Preziozi Italian Jewels Save the Date Cards:
Misted Invitations:
in Print of Los Altos Place Cards:
Hand-calligraphy by Mother of the Bride Menu Cards:
DIY by Bride and Mother of the Bride Thank You Cards:
in Print Wedding Party Flowers:
Floral Design by Reina Ceremony Flowers:
Floral Design by Reina Reception Flowers:
Floral Design by Reina Caterer:
Schumann's Four Seasons Caterers Bar Service:
Tom Mills Beverages Desserts:
Maple Leaf Donuts DJ/Entertainment:
DJ Matt Riley Live Band/Musicians:
The Blind Pilots Lighting:
DJ Matt Riley Transportation/Limo Services:
El Paseo Limousine Favors:
DIY Decor Signage:
Weathered Signs Table Rentals:
Schumann's Four Seasons Caterers Chair Rentals:
Schumann's Four Seasons Caterers Additional Resources:
Colorful Stitches Embroidery (robes for bridal party) Additional Resources:
La Tavola Fine Linen Rentals (linens) Honeymoon Travel Agent:
Costco