Laura first met Eric at the opening of Sacramento’s K Street Mall. “Eric owned a 1950 Ford police car and was an entry in the parade,” she shares, “however, his car broke down, and he parked it outside of Pizza Rock.” Both Laura and her sister stopped to take pictures, and Eric asked if Laura would join him for a glass of wine. Five years later, they got engaged at a quiet proposal at home.
“We knew we wanted good music, our friends to thoroughly enjoy the food, and have a great time dancing,” says Laura of their wishes for the wedding. “It really was all about ensuring we invited the right guests and doing everything we could to ensure they were happy.”
The couple hired a piano player to play while guests arrived at the Crocker Art Museum for the ceremony. In the courtyard, during cocktail and appetizer hour, “We had a fantastic acoustic guitar player sing and play—that was awesome!” Laura recalls.
Laura and Eric chose to be alone while exchanging vows. “We did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen,” says Laura. “It made the focus of the wedding on us, which was the point of the day. I’m really glad we made that decision.”
The wedding was held in three areas of the Crocker Art Museum: the main mansion for the ceremony, the courtyard for cocktail hour and the Friedman Court for the reception. With 106-degree temperatures outside, an unexpected power outage made for a memorable moment, “It remained out for roughly 20 minutes, but it actually turned out to be a bit of a blessing, as our guests really had the opportunity to talk and laugh since there was no background music,” the bride says.
The couple fondly remember their first look before the ceremony, with only their closest friends present. “Eric waited for me in front of a beautiful painting of the Yosemite Valley, and when I came around the corner we were both thrilled, surprised and excited,” says Laura. “We could really feel our love for one another in that moment. Having the first look was another critical decision that I am so glad we made. This was both of our favorite moments.”
—Darren Elms
