How did you meet?
We were both neighbors in Monterey in a small 10 unit studio complex. Dave was transferred to the area for work, and I was finishing up my first degree at CSUMB. All the neighbors were around the same age and hung out often. We were friends for the first year we knew each other, before we got on the same page and made it official!
When did you become engaged, and how?
We took our first trip to Hawaii together, Maui, in the summer of 2022. It was our second day of the trip and we went to Kaanapali beach. I took a nap on the beach, and when I woke up Dave asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I said yes, but I wanted to dip in the ocean first. I didn’t realize at the time that it was “the walk”, so I was taking my time in the water. Dave flagged me back to shore, and we went for the walk. At that point, I had noticed the bulky ring box in his swimming trunks haha. While I was asleep, he had gotten a couple near us to record and take pictures of the whole thing! We spent the rest of the day drinking Mai Tais and eating Hawaiian shaved ice!
#WeddingGoals
I just wanted the food to be good! I tried not to have expectations overall for the whole day which definitely was helpful. Things didn’t go exactly according to plan, but it didn’t bother us—we were just so happy to have all of our favorite people in the same place at the same time, celebrating together.
How did planning go?
It went well overall. I enjoyed tying all of our ideas together and seeing it come to life. It was stressful sticking to the timeline while we both worked full time. We would have to fit in wedding planning meetings via zoom usually at the end of our workdays.
What was the biggest challenge of wedding planning?
Planning a wedding while working full time and trying to stay in budget.
How would you describe the ceremony?
We wanted a brief ceremony and longer reception. We did private vows prior to the ceremony with each other, we wanted that moment to be more intimate.
Any memorable moments from your reception? Toasts? Fun dances? Performances?
All of the toasts were very sweet .We had the bride’s father, Dough, the grooms father, Will, the grooms’ mother, Gwen, the best man and groom’s younger brother, Andrew, and the maid of honor, Michelle all do toasts during the reception. The father/daughter dance was held outside of the carriage house, as the bride’s father wanted the dance to be right after his speech, which was in the garden during dinner. The mother/son dance was held inside the Captain’s Room where the main dance floor was. We played Thriller, by Michael Jackson, which we felt was very fitting for an October wedding on Friday the 13th! Dance moves were in no shortage from both sides of the family!
Any unexpected moments?
During the dinner, the groom’s father went up to the top floor/outside deck and whistled to grab everyone’s attention. He then snapped a few selfies, with his face being in the front of the picture, and all the wedding guests behind him (it’s a pretty great picture!).
Best Part of the Day
David: During cocktail hour, Kassy and I snuck out to a bench in the front garden where it was quiet and we could take a moment to breathe and take it all in. It was nice to have that time to be with just each other.
Kassy: I agree with David! If I had to pick another part though, it would be the last dance song, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Everyone was singing along, jumping, and dancing. At the very end of the song, everyone began chanting our last name, “DOGGETT, DOGGETT, DOGGETT!” And that’s how the wedding ended—it felt like a dream.
Favorite Detail
We had a memory table, with pictures of our loved ones who had passed away and could not be there with us in person that day to celebrate. It was tough day with them not being there with us, but having that table, with a candle on it lit all night, was a way for us to include them in our celebration.
Looking back, what do you think your guests will remember most about your wedding?
The food and dancing!
#VendorRaves
All of them. They were all amazing! Kari and Joel and their assistants were fun to work with! Kari was a godsend and helped carry my dress throughout our photo/video shoot. We can’t stop looking at our pictures and wedding video! The Perry House and their staff great as well and provided everything from the menu to linens, tables chairs and china! The day of coordinator, Charlene White, was on top of everything and very well organized which relieved a lot of stress for me. Emilio, our photo booth man was a big hit with his photo booth on a tricycle, he even pedelled away from the venue at the end of the night with it! John, our DJ was great at nailing down our eclectic playlist and kept the dance floor going the whole time! Laura, our florist, made my floral dreams come true.
What tips or advice would you give to couples planning their wedding today?
Things will go wrong, 100%, but try to focus on the bigger picture. That being you are marrying your best friend and celebrating it with all the people you both care about and love the most in life. The wedding at the end of the day is not about the table settings, the dessert you picked, or any other detail planned, it’s about love and who you share your lives with. Being in the moment with people who are there to celebrate with you was what we focused on the day of the wedding.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
Ate more of the cocktail hour appetizers and the late night snack (pizza from the fire brick oven)!
