Heidi worked with Wade’s mom, Karen, at a restaurant in Folsom. “She was always raving about how proud she was of her four boys,” recalls Heidi. One day, Wade dropped his mom off at work and Heidi was bartending. “Karen wanted to buy him lunch as a ‘thank-you,’ and he ordered through me,” she says. “Wade ordered a drink with his lunch that, in my defense, could be ordered with or without alcohol. Since I didn’t ask and he didn’t specify, I assumed with alcohol. He was only 18!” Their friendship really started after Heidi became curious about the culinary school Wade was attending. “During our first call we hit it off,” she says. “We stayed up late many nights just talking, but we didn’t end up dating until six years later.”
Fast forward to Christmas time at Disneyland. “He will tell you the intentions were to propose the night before, but I came out of the store chomping on a huge caramel apple instead,” she recalls. “From that night on it was a race to find the perfect spot and moment. I will never forget one moment we’re posing for pictures and the next he was shaking like a paint mixer and plopped down to one knee. The first words out of his mouth: ‘Do you know what a giant pain in my ass you are?’ It was perfect!”
When planning the wedding, the couple chose to focus on the experience of heightened senses (sight, smell, touch and taste). “We wanted the ceremony to feel light and romantic, the cocktail hour to feel warmer and the reception to be full throttle sexy,” says the bride. “We tried to accomplish this through particular foods, lighting, drinks and florals.”
Heidi shares that it really helped to have a teammate with her during all the planning, especially when it became too much for one person. Some of her favorite moments included brainstorming with Wade about the passionate parts of the wedding, like the food. “Anything food related was a blast to configure, taste and execute!” she says.
Officiated by a dear friend, the ceremony was completely tailored to the pair, as individuals and as partners. “You could smell the fresh rosemary, tarragon and mint scattered alongside the aisle,” recalls Heidi. “The vows were very conversational with funny and sweet moments—very us.”
The reception took place in the same spot as the ceremony following a complete room transformation. The drapes were pulled back for a night view of the Capitol and the walls were uplit with a warm sunset color. “The room was filled with energy with lots of laughter, and was a complete change from the ceremony other than the lingering scents of the aromatics,” says Heidi. “The night seemed to fly by, but I will always remember our last dance with our eyes closed and reminiscing about what had just happened.”
—Darren Elms
First Dance Song
“The Way You Look Tonight” by Tony Bennett
Father/Daughter Dance Song
“My Girl” by The Temptations
Mother/Son Dance Song
“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Cake Cutting Song
“L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
Bouquet Toss Song
“Work B**ch” by Britney Spears
Garter Toss Song
“Cherry Pie” by Warrant
Last Dance Song
“Come Away With Me” by Nora Jones
Details about the cake
Carrot Cake with citrus buttercream – outside white buttercream
Red velvet with 1 layer ganache and 1 layer hazelnut buttercream – outside white buttercream
Fudge cake with citrus buttercream
Carrot cake with cream cheese filling and frosting
Details about the flowers
Our flowers were the ultimate connection to complete our vision of sensory. We were not particular on colors, but more of the overall experience of heightened sense (sight, smell, touch, sight and taste). We wanted the ceremony to feel light and romantic; the cocktail hour to feel warmer and the reception to be full throttle sexy.
Judy, our florist, was on board and understood what that entailed. She had access to some beautifully pungent aromatics, including rosemary, tarragon and sage, which were incorporated throughout all the arrangements.
It was a complete surprise when the room filled with such a pleasant mixture of scents, making you feel relaxed. People couldn’t believe the wonderful smells, including me. These were mixed with deep burgundy dahlias, quicksand roses, berries and additional greenery.
Details about the favors
Macaroons in two flavors: 1) caramel apple, that was a nod at what delayed Wade’s proposal a day, and 2) blueberry, because we wanted to see our closest friends and family in formal wear with purple cookie-stained mouths – don’t worry it only lasted a few minutes 🙂 They were made by my husband’s pastry chef, Amy, at Asana in San Francisco. Who doesn’t want to eat their favors?! We placed them in handmade stamped wax bags.
Anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
One spectacular moment was right before the ceremony in the suite with only my sister. It was serene and calm. We went to the balcony as the sun was starting to settle and said how happy I was sharing that perfect moment with her. Looking back, I am so grateful we took that time to reflect and confirm how right it was to walk down the aisle to my soulmate.
Meagan Lucy Photographers – We fell in love with Meagan at first sight. We’ve bonded with her over getting stuck in the mud during our snowy engagement shoot, brainstorming photographical moments for the wedding and with her lovely energetic professional self during the wedding. She’s simply the best and an absolute must to help your wedding go smoothly.
Dacy McWhorter of Modern Poppy, was the groom and groomsmen stylist, but so much more. She was always reachable and there for us on the day of. She has a marvelous way about her and was there for us with all the details when others weren’t noticing – even when my champagne glass was empty or my dress got dirty. She’s amazing.
Larkspur and Linen – I’ve got to throw a shout-out to this very sweet woman from Michigan, whom I’ve never met, Kate Coakley. I made two separate orders and she was detailed (caught a mistake of mine) and extremely sweet. Not to mention her quality hankies with a handwritten note with each order. These were for our personalized gifts.
Any tips you’d give brides and grooms planning their wedding today?
Try to save an additional 3-5% of your budget for unexpected expenses. Having the extra cash really helped put our mind at ease weeks leading to the wedding.
Be kind to vendors and friends/family alike no matter how stressful the situation – know that they have your best intentions in mind.
Let the small things go; remember the big picture – you and your true love.
Sleep, sleep and sleep. You want to be rested and looking fresh for the big day.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
I would have loved to set aside more time for my vows, instead of completing it the night before. I gave myself the timeline of two months before the wedding, but more unexpected wedding commitments came up and it kept getting pushed back. Even when I wanted to write during that time, I found myself only capable of writing well when I was relaxed and not stressed. Luckily I kept a workbook with notes and anecdotes since our engagement to help me with completing my vows.
Vendors
Ceremony Site:
The Citizen Hotel Officiant:
David Benevento, family friend Ceremony Music:
HUGE Entertainment Photographer:
Meagan Lucy Photographers Videographer:
Phillip Alan Films Reception Site:
The Citizen Hotel Bridal Hair:
Ashley at Polish and Pout Bridal Make-up:
Jessica at Polish and Pout Bridal Attire:
M Bride Bridal Veil:
Borrowed from Maid of Honor Bridesmaids' Attire:
Purchased at various retailers Groom’s Attire:
Nordstrom Groomsmen's Attire:
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH Bride's Rings Jeweler:
Jewelry Exchange Groom's Rings Jeweler:
DeVons Save the Date Cards:
Phillip Alan Films (save the date video) Invitations:
Wedding Paper Divas Place Cards:
DIY Menu Cards:
Zazzle Thank You Cards:
Shutterfly Wedding Party Flowers:
Fleurs du Jour Ceremony Flowers:
Fleurs du Jour Reception Flowers:
Fleurs du Jour Cake:
Freeport Bakery Desserts:
Danny's Mini Donuts Desserts:
Cornology DJ/Entertainment:
HUGE Entertainment Lighting:
HUGE Entertainment Favors:
DIY Decor Rentals:
Fleurs du Jour Decor Signage:
DIY with Zazzle Additional Resources:
Carole Kenney Designs (gown alterations) Additional Resources:
Modern Poppy (groom and groomsmen stylist, assistant, helper)and Additional Resources:
Nail Palazzo (Bride's manicure/pedicure) Additional Resources:
Larkspur and Linen (personalized gifts) Honeymoon Travel Agent:
Costco Travel