3.26.2012

I Do

 Berkeley, Botanical Gardens, University, Wedding
It's hard to believe it's been a year since our wedding day....

It was the best day of my life;  the day we were able to share and celebrate our love and commitment in front of the people we cherish most. The excitement and affirmation we received from our family and closest friends was truly captivating. What a great day it was-rain and all!

After being engaged on the 4th of July, 2010 (read about it here), we had just shy of nine months to plan our wedding.  There was a lot put into those nine months-tears, laughs, frustration, LOTS of sewing and even MORE money, but also lots of love.

There were of course things that didn't turn out as planned, but had they been done "perfectly," I would have missed some really great moments that are now unforgettable. Like the fact that my dad let the baker convince him that the upside down apple pie was better than the lemon meringue. Of course the lemon meringue had the pretty white top, and looked the most like a wedding cake, but of course, dads don't think of those things. He wanted me to have the best, and if the pie that looked like it was dropped on the ground was the best-then that is what I had to have (and man, was the baker right-it was the best pie I have ever had!). Or the fact that the rainy weather moved the garden-party cocktail hour indoors. I had set the scene in my head: we would walk into the party, old jazz music playing and the romance of patio lights glowing amidst the overcast sky. At first I was disappointed that things didn't happen as planned, but after looking at the picture of the two of us under those string lights, I realized-that if no one else was able to enjoy it, it meant that Parker stayed up all night to hang those lights just for me-and I could live with that. 

I would love to go back to that day and observe our wedding as a guest. There were so many stolen moments that passed us by, but I was blessed to have a good friend photograph our day and she captured every little detail. Sara of OneLove Photography has a fantastic editorial style. Her work is filled with candid shots that capture natural emotion, so I am able to get glimpses of these moments when looking through our pictures...like the moment my dad was standing by my bridal party with a big smile on his face and hands in his pockets, or when one of Parker's groomsmen covered his eyes when I arrived at the ceremony location so he wouldn't see me before he was supposed to, my mom bringing the umbrella that I had bought specifically for the ceremony to the altar as the rain drops started coming down, Parker trying to fight back the tears as I walk down the aisle, the smiles on everyone's faces throughout the ceremony, the cheers of the crowd during our first kiss and upon the pronouncement of husband and wife...I could go on and on.

 It was a truly beautiful day!

Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, Mather Redwood Grove, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, Mather Redwood Grove, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, Mather Redwood Grove, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, OneLove Photography
Berkeley, Bontanical Gardens, OneLove Photography
Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club, OneLove Photography
Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club, OneLove Photography
Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club, OneLove Photography

Ceremony: Berkeley, Ca Mather Redwood Grove Reception: Oakland, California Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club Photography: Onelove Photography Floral Design: Clayton, Ca Sonset Flowers Wedding Coordinator: Jewell Chung Sequin Bolero: sold out, but you may be able to still find it here, here, here, or here.Bow Tie: Groom's Brogues: Sparklers:  

1 comment:

  1. Laura, your wedding was beautiful! I'm getting married at the Bronx Zoo this year in New York and I am dying to know where you found that book and those photos for the table "numbers." Thanks so much in advance, my email is jackie.weinstein@gmail.com

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