Jackie and Kevin

When planning our wedding, what we wanted more than anything was for it to feel personal and intimate, surrounding everyone in warmth and love. Secondly, we wanted to add a little note of each of our home states, Arizona and New York. Currently living in Los Angeles together, we did not want the burden of planning an out-of-state wedding. Plus, California was our home together now, and it was important we get married here. We had our venue picked about a week after getting engaged – and to be perfectly honest it was the only venue we physically even visited – we just knew it was the one. We felt the same way about our photographer, Anna Lee does a lot of band photography, so we knew she could capture every special moment of the action without making us feel posed.

Calamigos Ranch is nestled in the hills of Malibu, where we go on hikes with our dog just about every weekend, so it already held a special place in our hearts. The Oak Room at Calamigos was this stunning, unique, intimate setting, surrounded in oak trees with a waterfall backdrop. Chandeliers and strings of twinkle lights hung in the trees, casting a warm glow throughout the venue as the sun set – it was magical. Overall it gave off romantic, boho, fairytale vibes while still feeling clean, classic, and modern. And my Hayley Paige dress also perfectly fit that description - I felt gorgeous and, most importantly, like myself - comfortably dancing my booty off all night long on the best day of my life!

To add a personal touch and a little bit of the Southwest, I crafted dream catchers to hang throughout the oak trees. The little taste of New York was in our apple cider donuts we served as party favors. Until I lived in New York, where Kevin and I met, I had never been apple picking before. During our first Fall together, Kevin to took me apple picking upstate with his niece and nephew, it is one of my favorite memories. Needless to say, we spent our wedding night stuffing our faces with donuts and champagne!

Designer Lines

• Blush by Francesca Avila

Services

• Photographer Anna Lee Media
• Wedding Venue Calamigos Ranch