Both natives of the Roseville area, Lauren and Kevin met when the former was a senior in high school. “I was working at Round Table Pizza, and Kevin was a few years graduated already and working as a supervisor there,” Lauren shares. “We didn’t start dating until I came home between my freshman and sophomore years of college.”
The pair got engaged at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 2017. “We were at home and counting down to the ball drop,” remembers Lauren. “I turned around and Kevin was proposing.”
The couple decided to shop for their wedding rings together. Lauren’s engagement ring was custom designed by Kevin with diamonds gifted by his mother. “The sales associate recommended two bands with small diamonds around the circumference to go on the top and bottom of the engagement ring, and they were perfect,” shares the bride. “We both knew they were the right fit right away.”
One memorable moment from the ceremony was delivered by their officiant, Kevin’s best friend. Although they told him they didn’t want an emotional ceremony with sappy stories, things didn’t quite turn out as planned. The bride and groom were able to maintain their composure, but there were plenty of tears flowing amongst the guests. “We were so focused on each other that we completely forgot about everyone else,” Lauren recalls. “Afterward, we were approached by many people telling us how emotional the ceremony was. One person said he was a best man prior and didn’t cry at that wedding, but was tearing up at our wedding. Another person approached us and said that her husband doesn’t usually tear up at weddings but did during ours. It was special to hear that our friends and family thought it was as meaningful as we did.”
The reception was located in the ballroom of the Sequoia Mansion and turned into a night filled with dancing, drinking and good times. In addition to a photo booth, one of the highlights was a coffee bar. “We never had thought of it, and our great venue had one included in the package. We had many guests comment on how much they loved having it available.”
They also hired a shuttle service from the hotel to the venue and back. “We felt this would be a great solution to allow guests to take advantage of the open bar and not risk anyone’s safety,” Lauren says. “The bus was great and had music and party lights, and many people said it was one of their favorite parts!”
— Darren Elms
