When Brandon was stationed at a new U.S. Air Force Base in an area he knew little about, he relocated with a bit of nervousness. Yet, fate had plans for Brandon’s future that he never could have imagined. “Looking back, it really seems so crazy, as Travis Air Force Base was last on my dream sheet of places to be stationed,” says Brandon.
A few short weeks after getting to the area, he was invited to a backyard barbecue that was joined with a neighboring event, resulting in a fun mix of new and interesting people. There he met Stephanie, who came from the gathering next door, and their connection was undeniable.
When the time came, Brandon brought Stephanie back to the spot where they had gone on their first date, and in that same place, with their parents nearby, Brandon kneeled in front of Stephanie asking for her hand in marriage. They spent the next year planning their special day, focused on teamwork and communication to make sure their wedding represented them and their love in the most authentic way possible.
“Our goal was a moody, vintage and romantic wedding with subtle hints of our favorite time of year: Halloween,” Stephanie says. “We tried to keep in the wedding traditions but put our own unique twists into it. It was important to us to still make it feel like a wedding but our wedding.” They also incorporated their golden retriever, Forrest, into the ceremony by having him join them for a walk down the aisle.
Stephanie says that whether or not the elements of the wedding were traditional, they still reflected her and Brandon’s personal style. It was not a decision they took lightly, but it was one that was important to them. “I wanted to look back at our wedding and be happy that we took the risks to make this wedding our own…this theme was very much us, from the ‘American Horror Story’ themed welcome sign to our all black cake, we were really happy we stuck to our personal style.”
She says she thinks their guests will remember how unique their wedding was, but for them, the most memorable moment was standing atop Taber Ranch, overlooking their reception while the sun set behind them. “We could see all of our beautiful friends and family, we could see the wedding we worked so hard on for months and we were officially married. It was the most surreal, special feeling in the world.”
—Abigail Blank
First Dance Song
“Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs
Father/Daughter Dance Song
“There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill
Mother/Son Dance Song
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Cake Cutting Song
“Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard
Bouquet Toss Song
“Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
Garter Toss Song
“I Put A Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Last Dance Song
“Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks
Details about the cake
We had a multi-tiered multi-flavor black cake. One tier was churro cake filled with pastry cream, a second tier was chocolate cake filled with a chocolate mousse, and lastly, a vanilla cake filled with caramel and sea salt.
Details about the flowers
Silver Roses, King Protea, Peonies, Orchids, and Dahlias
Details about the favors
Koozies from Sip Hip Hooray
Anything else you’d like to share about your wedding?
A unique moment at our wedding had to have been when the power was shut off because of winds and October being during fire season. Taber Ranch was amazing and had anticipated this happening and set up generators before hand. They kicked on and most of our guests had no idea of the power interruption.
We truly had the best vendors! Kelly at Blossom Farm Rentals was such a huge help. We were really trying to have our own unique moody wedding, which made it tough at the start of planning to make our ideas come together. She gave us a lot of professional insight and gave us a stack of Real Weddings Magazines to help get us kick started and give us some inspiration.
Raving about our vendors we could not leave out our sweet Mindy, our photographer! Not only did she take beautiful pictures and capture all the fun that day and night but she went above and beyond making sure we were having the best time and that everything was running accordingly.
Any tips you’d give brides and grooms planning their wedding today?
Our best advice to couples planning their weddings today would be to plan the wedding they want and not what everyone else tells them they should have. Stick to your style, don’t afraid of being unique.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
Honestly we were asked about budget throughout the wedding. We knew what we wanted, and we worked so hard each month to save and pay for this special day. We knew numbers we did not want to surpass but we also knew we would kick ourselves if we didn’t include certain little details that meant so much. Taber Ranch was amazing and provided a lot within the venue cost. Dixon Florist and Taber Ranch worked together to reuse floral arrangements around the venue as the location moved from on top of the hill for the ceremony to the lawn for dinner at the reception. This helped so much on cost and looked so beautiful. Looking back we don’t regret a single thing.
Vendors
Ceremony Site:
Taber Ranch Vineyard & Event Center Officiant:
Jim Cahoon, friend Ceremony Music:
Silverado Professional DJ Service Photographer:
Sweet Marie Photography Videographer:
Yours Truly Media Reception Site:
Taber Ranch Vineyard & Event Center Bridal Hair:
Danielle Lucas at Kle' Salon Bridal Hair:
Sara Gutierrez at Kle' Salon (bridesmaids) Bridal Make-up:
April Lopez Bridal Make-up:
Christine Garcia (bridesmaids) Bridal Attire:
La Soie Bridal Bridal Veil:
Miosa Bride (headpiece) Bridesmaids' Attire:
Bella Bridesmaids Groom’s Attire:
Men's Wearhouse (pants) Groom’s Attire:
Island Importer (shirt) Groomsmen's Attire:
Men's Wearhouse Ringbearer Attire:
Men's Wearhouse Bride's Rings Jeweler:
Helzberg Diamonds Groom's Rings Jeweler:
Helzberg Diamonds Save the Date Cards:
Vistaprint Invitations:
Minted Place Cards:
Minted Thank You Cards:
Minted Wedding Party Flowers:
Dixon Florist Ceremony Flowers:
Dixon Florist Reception Flowers:
Dixon Florist Caterer:
Buckhorn Catering Cake:
Erica Mascote of Cakes by Erica DJ/Entertainment:
Silverado Professional Dj Service Lighting:
Silverado Professional Dj Service Lighting:
Neon Sign Kingdom Transportation/Limo Services:
Five Star Limo Favors:
Sip Hip Hooray Photo Booth:
Now Ya NGO Decor Rentals:
Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals Decor Rentals:
Getting Hitched Design + Rentals Decor Rentals:
Celebrations! Party Rentals & Tents Decor Signage:
Kaycie Piedad Decor Signage:
Neon Sign Kingdom Table Rentals:
Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals Chair Rentals:
Blossom Farm Vintage Rentals