How did you meet?
We were neighbors when I was going to college in Reno.
When did you become engaged, and how?
We got engaged in October 2020. We were on a family trip to Mammoth, CA, and he proposed on the bank of a beautiful lake. Some of the trees were starting to change color and it was an amazing setting.
#WeddingGoals
We just wanted to spend as much time together and with our friends and family as possible.
How did planning go? Favorite time? Worst moment?
The planning was super streamlined once we chose the venue. So much was included that we didn’t have to worry about a ton of rentals. One of my favorite parts was shopping for my dress, and discussing florals with our vendor. It became stressful when we realized how hot it was going to be that day. It was at a historic venue so the air conditioning was not very modernized and summers here can be rough.
What was the biggest challenge of wedding planning?
Being proactive. I (Madison) am admittedly a procrastinator, and we got married in peak wedding season, so we had to make sure we reached out to vendors early enough to ensure we got who we wanted.
How would you describe the ceremony? Was there anything specific that made it unique to you as a couple?
The ceremony was filled with love. We had a family member as the officiant which was very special. We also chose to omit “until death do you part” in the spirit of being bound forever.
Memorable Moments
We had a lot of children at our wedding, which is not for everyone, but was one of my favorite parts. Seeing them dance and have so much fun brought joy to our hearts and made the reception incredibly entertaining.
Unexpected Moment
One unexpected and very special moment involved a dragonfly. My grandmother was an artist and passed away in 2015; one of the last drawings she made was of a dragonfly. My aunt custom-made my veil with an embroidered dragonfly on the train. We also had a walkway with a bunch of pictures of Mark and me for our guests to walk through; above one of the pictures, a beautiful dragonfly had landed on a tree—it made me feel that my grandmother was there in spirit.
Special Songs:
First Dance Song: “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez
Father/Daughter Dance Song: “Forever” by the Beach Boys
What was the best part of your day?
Madison: The best part of the day for me was getting to share such special moments with our loved ones. Having all the people you love together to celebrate brings so much happiness to my heart. Everyone was so full of smiles and laughter, it just made the day so much fun.
Mark: From my perspective, the best part of the day was having everyone we love together. There aren’t many times in your life where you have all of your family and friends in one place, and to be able to combine two families into one was amazing.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
We had our guests throw flower petals in the air as we walked down the aisle after our first kiss and it resulted in the most beautiful picture!
#VendorRaves
Erika Elizabeth Photography took the time to understand our vision and preferences, ensuring that every important moment was captured beautifully. Her professionalism and calming presence made the day feel seamless, even amidst the typical wedding day chaos. The pictures turned out beautifully and I will cherish them forever. Newcastle Wedding Gardens was the perfect place to host our wedding. It was not only beautiful, but the staff and owner were accommodating and kind as well. The food was incredible and the venue had plenty of space for guests to mingle.
Looking back, what do you think your guests will remember most about your wedding?
Unfortunately I know they will remember the 101 degrees temperature! But also the food. I still have people tell me how amazing the food was and it was truly delicious.
Advice from the Couple:
Go with the flow! Your wedding will not be “perfect” or exactly how you envision it in your mind, but the most important part is the love you get to share with your partner, friends, and family.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
I would have chosen a different time of year with cooler weather!