How did you meet?
First day of college! We met in Chico, California at a house party because he was rooming with one of my friends from high school. He told me I “was the most beautiful girl he has ever seen,” but I felt awkward at the compliment, and laughed. We ended up being really great friends, and then started dating a year later!
Tell us about your engagement.
I went to a winery with my sister, and Austin ended up being there, down a vineyard row, waiting for me, and he proposed! This was on March 18, 2023.
#WeddingGoals
I was hoping for things to run smoothly, and the venue and staff absolutely made that happen. I was also nervous how the florals and my colors would look with the darker background of the trees and the dark wood of the lodge, but it looked amazing.
How did planning go?
Super easy! Katie, our venue coordinator, made everything run smoothly and was incredibly organized. All the vendors were preferred vendors, so they were in tune with how things worked at the venue. It was amazing. The worst moment was probably DIYing all of the signs and name tags. I wouldn’t do that again.
Biggest Challenge
Trying to find a babysitter, and day-of details for nap time for my daughter. Since everyone we knew and loved were at the wedding, we needed to find someone to watch our then 1-year-old. We found an amazing girl named Sara, and having the rooms at the lodge made it so easy to do nap time (the venue let us check in early just for her nap!) and bedtime, as Sara just took her upstairs after dinner and did bedtime!
How was the Ceremony?
We had originally already gotten legally married on 10/23/23, so it just felt like we were finally having our celebration and being able to show our love to all of our friends and family. My favorite place in the world is the mountains and my husband is from the mountains, so it was just so fitting and such a beautiful place to be.
Memorable Moments
We had a choreographed first dance with a lift, and then we had my mom bring out our 1-year-old about halfway through the first dance. Apparently that was a tearjerker for those watching!
Did you have any special cultural features to your wedding or factors that celebrated the heritage of you or your family?
We did a unity candle (but did it wrong lol). We are newly back to faith and we wanted to incorporate something with God, and it just felt like the perfect amount. During the thank you speech, my husband ended the speech with a phrase my grandpa used to always say “good food, good meat, thank God, lets eat.”
Any funny or unexpected wedding moments that happened throughout the day?
My husband’s grandma fell on the speaker and the DJ caught her mid fall!
Special Dances:
First Dance: Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
Family Dances: I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack (Father/Daughter), and My Wish by Rascal Flatts (Mother/Son)
Cake Cutting Dance: In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young
Bouquet Toss Song: Glamorous by Fergie
Last Dance Song: Higher Love by Kygo
What was the best part of your day?
Kelsey: FINALLY being able to walk down the aisle to my husband and seeing him cry; also seeing my daughter walk down the aisle as the flower girl, and do the first dance with her. She was so excited and always wanted to practice. She knew every part and would anticipate it.
Austin: I have two actually: Reading our vows to each other during our 30 minutes of alone time before the ceremony, and getting to do our first dance with our daughter Miley.
Favorite Detail
All of the colors and how well they went together! I almost had all the tables just be dusty blue, but was so happy I decided to include all of the colors.
Looking back, what do you think your guests will remember most about your wedding?
I have been told so many times that our wedding was the most fun wedding they have been to! It was really awesome that the after party was downstairs with lots to do, and that people could stay the night at the lodge.
#VendorRaves
Forest House Lodge made everything so easy! I had friends and family members who were wedding coordinators, and they kept commenting on how streamlined everything was and how well everything ran! Heather from Heather Blackwood Photography knew the ins and outs of everything Forest House Lodge, and took AMAZING photos. Matt Brys, our amazing DJ from Extreme Productions Entertainment, went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. He even made sure our drinks were filled the entire night! Katie Petrovich, our Forest House Lodge coordinator, made everything look amazing, and helped answer every question I had–seriously an amazing venue coordinator!
Advice from the Couple
Honestly, give yourself more time! We booked two years out which made it so we could save, and purchase per paycheck–so we were not too stressed out. Also, make a budget! lol
What would you have done differently?
Maybe rehearse the unity candle, but other than that, nothing! The day was perfect.
