10.12.14 The best and most beautiful day.
Tony and I got married in Tilden Park, Berkeley, CA. The morning started out perfectly, waking up next to my fiancé and having a slow, quiet and sweet room service breakfast with my love. We then went our separate ways and I got to spend the day primping and hanging with my girls. We had finger foods and champagne in the room while we got ready. When we finally headed to the venue I got to see everything that we had been working on for an entire year-- it was perfect and exactly what I had envisioned. That feeling when you see everything come together that you have been working so hard on is indescribable. One of my proudest moments was when my dad told me he had no idea I could put something together like this. All that hard work paid off! The best moment of the day, however, was seeing my Tony’s face when I walked down the aisle. Second, our two minute break we took, just the two of us, after the ceremony to let it all soak in. Incredible.
The entire evening was filled with smiles, memories, donuts, dancing, and love. Having everyone around you, celebrating your marriage to your best friend is truly breathtaking. We had a taco bar, beer and wine, and a DJ that rocked it all night long. Some of the dance moves were questionable but all in all the entire evening was perfect.
Now to the deets… I didn't want to distract from the gorgeous surroundings, but rather, accentuate the forest around us with a classic, simple, home-made feeling. So, naturally, I got everyone involved! Tony helped me paint pine cones gold for months. I had been collecting them for a long while and had a bag in my car at all times. For the place cards holders, my parent’s (and their neighbor) lent their tree and tree trimming skills and they came out looking adorbs! Tables were covered in a light grey tablecloth, gold chargers, and pine cones interspersed. My table numbers were painted on wood with a simple garland framing each number. The arrangements were placed in antique silver urns found in San Francisco, filled with variations of white and green. The tables were simple and elegantly perfect. We had a popcorn table (Tony's favorite) and a donut table (my favorite- as we all know by now) as well as a a make-shift photo-booth table with an Instax Poloroid camera and props to entertain our guests and their bellies. My lovely Sarah and her dad, Mr. Bill, did all of the flowers which turned out exactly how I wanted! I had been inspired by garland and wanted all the flowers to have that loose and relaxed feel and they were perfect! Two days before the wedding we all woke up bright and early to go the flower mart and purchased all of our flowers. Sarah and Mr. Bill then busied themselves for two solid days putting each arrangement and bouquet together. The archway was an antique iron arch that Mr. Bill and Sarah tucked eucalyptus and magnolia leaves to, creating a messy, romantic feeling arbor. I wasn't allowed to see any of the flowers until the morning of and I was so excited to see how they turned out! Everything came together so beautifully and had that personal touch I was going for. There is something about creating the entire day yourself and having it unfold before your eyes that you cannot describe.
The day was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
-e