Robin and Melissa’s wedding was planned at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbook, CA. I had not photographed a wedding there before so we decided to walk the property a couple of weeks before their ceremony. The moment I drove on the property my head was filled with ideas and I knew photographing this wedding was going to be a blast. We walked around the property picking all the best spots for formal photography on their wedding day. With so many beautiful locations on the property we knew we needed a plan to capture the essence of this fun loving couple.
My day started n Melissa’s rooms gathering her wedding dress, jewelry and shoes to take them onsite to photograph. I love finding a beautiful place outside to hang the wedding dress. Then I photographed Melissa and her party finishing getting hair and make-up done. After that was done, Melissa and party walked around checking out the ceremony site so Robin could go into the same room to finish hair and make-up. We had to make sure it was all planned so they wouldn’t see each other. After Robin was done, everyone headed back to the rooms to finish getting ready.
Prior to the wedding we blindfolded both Melissa and Robin and put them back to back on set of stairs to hold hands for a few moments feel their love in their hands one more time before saying I-Do. It was a perfect moment.
Melissa and Robin decided to go with a style/theme that was nerd chic with the colors dark purple and grey. Melissa and her bridesmaids had bouquets made of purple and white Cali lilies. They wanted to incorporate their love for, “nerdy things” as Robin says, like Star Wars, Harry Potter and other “Nerd Fandoms”.
The ceremony began at the unique Antique Bell Tower with a picturesque Rose garden and 30-foot waterfall. Robin walked down an aisle laid with rose petals with her brother as her escort. Robin, the wedding party, and the ringbearer walked down to music from Lord of the Rings. Melissa walked down by her father as escort to music from Pirates of the Caribbean. Officiate Bob was a close friend of theirs, who had a personalized message that also had nerd references in the ceremony. They read their own vows, and after they kissed to being wife and wife they rang the bell in celebration. They exited to music from Star Wars. To keep it classy, this music was all from String quartets. The ceremony was very special because everything that was in it felt like it was Robin and Melissa.
After the ceremony we took family photos at the Antique Bell Tower and then we started working our way through the property for the wedding party photos. I was excited when we were done and I was able to spend time with Melissa and Robin photographing just them two of them as they talked, laughed, kissed and played during their formal photos.
The reception was in a huge tent like area that was very open and had LED lighting which offered the option to add a purple to give it a flare from Melissa and Robin’s color themes. The tables were named after couples in different nerdom, like Leia and Han; and Wesley and Buttercup. Some of the table centerpieces had purple and white rose petals around lanterns; and the others had tall water pieces with branches, white carnations/baby's breath and candles floating in water at the base.
The sweetheart table, guest setting cards, and the cake topper had a Harry Potter theme. The sweetheart table had the words 'Always" in front which is a reference from Harry Potter; and a word that Melissa and Robin frequently use to each other for their love for one another. Even the champagne and wine glasses had Harry Potter quotes on theme.
The cake topper was made to look Robin and Melissa dressed as their Hogwarts assigned houses. The cake table had pictures of Robin and Melissa from the many years of Robin smashing cake in Melissa's face during her birthday. The reception was truly unique and special because every detail that was added was reflecting Robin and Melissa and the things they both love. Robin and Melissa love Bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cake. Therefore decided to go with Buntinis, to allow their guests to pick whatever flavor they wanted through the night.
The gift to guests was Baggies filled with purple, white and grey soaps to represent the color scheme in star wars shapes. The shapes were Darth Vader, stormtroopers, and R2D2. The baggy also had a note that said, "May the force be with you. Thank you for attending our wedding October 22, 2016.” They also got free pictured in the photo booth, offered by Accent Weddings; my favorite company to work with for DJ and Photobooth.
This wedding was truly unique and special because every detail that was added to the ceremony and the reception was reflecting Robin and Melissa, and the things they both love. They are, indeed, a perfect match, and I am just bursting with joy that I get to document their love.
Robin and Melissa, I just love the way you light one another up and make one another shine. You are truly adorable and wonderful, and I a so thrilled that Rob and I were able to be apart of this journey with you! Cheers to many decades of love and happiness!
RECEPTION/CEREMONY VENUE: Pala Mesa Resort
FLORIST: Denise Shadle from Flowers Over Time
CAKE ARTIST: Nothing Bundt Cake
DJ: Accent Weddings
HAIR ARTIST: Lisa Ramirez
BRIDESMAIDS DRESS: David's bridal
DESIGNER WOMEN’S SUIT: Express
TUXES: Men's Warehouse
BRIDAL GOWN: Brides by Demetrio
0 comments