The Couple: Jessica & Russ
Photography by Valley Images Photography
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met online in 2011 through match.com, living in a college town but not in college proved hard to meet people! Our first date was in January, we were supposed to get coffee but ended up getting frozen yogurt because all the coffee shops were full!
Russ proposed the day we got keys to our new home in Sacramento, he had our realtor help him set up so when I walked in there were flowers, champagne, and a card! I work night shift and had worked all night before. When we walked in, I was totally oblivious to the whole set up and was just wandering around the empty house for like 10 minutes before I even noticed.
Planning the wedding was made so much easier using a wedding planner! Rebecca of Events by Rebecca was amazing, she was always on top of everything and really helped my neurotic type A personality relax and leave things up to her. I work nights, so daytime meetings and phone calls are always a struggle. Having someone I could rely on was so important.
What was the most amazing part of your day? The first look! It was so nice to get to see Russ and get to have time with just us before the ceremony and the party got started! Also getting ready on site and staying there the night before! No worrying about transportation for bridesmaids or groomsmen, or the groomsmen arriving on time, etc. We utilized the on site cottages at the Maples and it was wonderful! Russ and I also stayed in their honeymoon suite after the wedding! Again, no transportation needed!
What else would you like to share about your big day? I felt like everything went so smoothly and I really just got to enjoy it all! It all felt so short!
Ceremony and Reception Site: The Maples Woodland
Officiant: Our good friend, Stan Clarke
Photographer: Valley Images Photography
Wedding Planner: Events by Rebecca
Caterer: Anderson Family Catering
Cake/Desserts: Sweet Sensations
Flowers and Decor Rentals: Flourish
Favors: Handcrafted limoncello by the bride and groom
Bridal Attire: Bride to Be Couture
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Renz Rags on Etsy
Hair and Make-up: All Dolled Up Hair & Makeup Artistry
Invitations: Minted
Signage: DIY by bride and groom
DJ/Entertainment/Band and Lighting: DeBorba Events
Linen Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linens
Other Rentals: Celebrations! Party Rentals & Tents, Firehouse Entertainment
Honeymoon Location: Maui, HI
Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out that we missed in the above questions? Suits were ordered online from theblacktux.com and it was so easy and everything fit so well! Wine was from Elevation Ten.
First Dance Song: “Here’s To Us” by Halestorm
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Set a budget up front and get a wedding planner!
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? I’d get a videographer, because I feel like we missed so much. Everything just went so fast! I wish we had our best man and maid of honor speeches recorded!
Photography by Valley Images Photography.
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.