For Trisha and James, the idea of marriage wasn’t born out of a foolish rush of emotion, but a time-tested love ready to be celebrated in the greatest of all commitments. Though they began dating nearly a decade ago, Trisha and James took their time to decide when marriage was right for them. It was during a family trip to Disneyland that James popped the question. “While we were taking a picture, all of a sudden, I turned around and he was on his knees. He proposed in front of our friends, family and strangers. It was such a magical moment and something we won’t forget,” Trisha says.
During the engagement, which lasted a little over a year, Trisha and James worked together to plan their romantic-chic spring wedding. The ceremony was ripe with traditional elements, including the lighting of a unity candle as a symbol of their families joining together. Trisha explains, “Since we had two daughters already before being married, which is considered alternative, we wanted to try and have more of a traditional wedding. Both of our families are more on the traditional side, so sticking to tradition was important to us.”
Utilizing the colors of the beautifully forested surroundings and vineyard-like elements of the Monte Verde Inn, Trisha and James chose a modern palate of royal purple, light green and gray. Purple uplighting and hanging fairy lights helped create a feeling of enchantment. “Being in the middle of the forest, it felt like we were part of a dream sequence in a movie,” Trisha shares.
Opting for the intimacy of a small reception with only family and close friends, they continued their use of nature throughout the décor, even hanging place settings from tree branches and having guests create a finger print tree in place of a guest book. And, in an impressively unique incorporation of new social media and tech-savvy culture, Trisha and James had their guests participate in a virtual scavenger hunt. As each item was found, guests uploaded a picture to Instagram and used a designated hashtag to track their progress.
Trisha made sure to encapsulate the memories of her and James’ special day by having their photographer Liz Zibleman make use of the Monte Verde Inn’s variety of settings. Trisha explains, “I wanted the pictures to capture the beauty of the venue and all of the little details of the wedding, so I wouldn’t forget anything.”
To celebrate their modern fairy tale come true, Trisha and James enjoyed a relaxing fall honeymoon in Hawaii.
As for how being married has changed their relationship, Trisha says, “We have been together for so long that I thought it would feel the same, but it does feel different. Calling each other ‘my husband’ or ‘my wife’ sounds so right!”
—Abigail Blank
