Lindsay and Luke - Scripps Seaside Forum
This was such a fun and beautifully done wedding. First of all, because they are a fun couple, together for 10 years already, who clearly just enjoy each other and being together - and with friends and families who also just enjoy life. And secondly, because they brought together a great team of wedding professionals to execute well on their special day. I loved working with these folks!
I was introduced to this couple through Rachel Welland of Bliss Events, their fantastic wedding planner. When she's involved, I know it will be great! Since they live in the Bay Area, the first meeting was via phone. I found out that they wanted something relatively short (they agreed with my norm of 20 minutes), not religious (and had no family expectations of religious content or feel), and that it would be casual attire, with the guys in khakis, linen shirts, and flip flops. Fun!
About four weeks before their wedding, Lindsay and Luke were down visiting family, so we got together in person to chat for a bit and to go over the draft ceremony. Lindsay wasn't big on surprises, and had been really wondering whether or not she could allow me to do the stories portion of their ceremony (which comes from a homework assignment they did for me) without her seeing it first. Whenever a bride or a couple really wants to see that part too, I'm happy to show it to them. But I know that many have commented afterward that they are happy they waited, as it's so much more fun to hear it and laugh along with everyone else at the wedding. Otherwise they already know everything that will be said, and then the ceremony becomes for everyone else and not for them. Glad she trusted me, as afterward she commented on how much fun that was for them and everyone else!
So, what did we create together? They had two people come up for readings, one being "The Key to Love" and the other being a message that she wrote herself. We included a family blessing, as their families are important to them, we included a wine blending and blessing ceremony, and they wrote their own vows, but shared them, repeating the same vows to each other. And the stories that everyone loved hearing!
In addition, something that was a surprise for the Japanese side of Lindsay's family was that I speak Japanese, so Lindsay asked me to throw in a few sentences of Japanese for them - a brief welcome line at the beginning ("Mina-san, Lindsay to Luke no kekkonshiki ni yokoso!" [Everyone, welcome to Lindsay and Luke's wedding ceremony!]), and to send them off with congratulations and with happiness. ("Lindsay wanted me to send them off with some words traditionally used at a Japanese wedding. Please join me in saying, "Omedetou!" or "Congratulations!" Go-kekkon Omedetou Gozaimasu! O shiawase ni!" [Congratulations on your marriage! Wishing you a happy married life!] That was lots of fun for me to do! Especially as no one expects the green-eyed curly-haired girl to speak Japanese...
As I mentioned, there was a great team of professionals who worked on this wedding:
Wedding Planner: Rachel Welland - Bliss Events
Photographer: Jen and Shane - Acqua Photo - they are great to work with, and you can see their gorgeous work below.
Venue: Scripps Seaside Forum
Catering: Crown Point Catering
Musician / DJ: Michael Tiernan
Photo Booth: Classy Photo Booths
Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness, Lindsay and Luke!
