Destination Nevada County

Real Time
Wedding
Shane & Jessica Celebrate
With Family and Friends
By Joy Porter
Winding Road Imagery
What makes a “real wedding” you may ask. It was a perfect
fall day with gorgeous weather, family, and friends all
coming together to celebrate Shane and Jessica’s love story
and commitment to one another. The wedding included
an intimate gathering at a private estate in Penn Valley,
California. The day and time had arrived; all the months of
planning were complete.
But it is in the first look that every couple shares when all
the anxiety is lifted and there is peace in the world and you
realize that your love is the reason for all the planning.
Today starts your daring adventure together. A calmness
fills the air and the wedding begins with peace in your
hearts, joy on your faces and endearing love from family
and friends.
“Most people put a
hundred times more time,
energy and thought into
planning their wedding
day than they do into
planning their marriage.
The wedding is just one
day—you’ve got 50+ years
of marriage ahead of you.
Plan for that!”
Eric Goetze
68 DESTINATION Nevada County
The advice I always give my couples is this… “On the day
of your wedding, all the plans and details are over. So,
relax, let things go and most importantly just enjoy each
other because, in the end, all you truly have is the sweet
embrace of one another as you embark on this beautiful
life and future together. Stop and take time to reflect on the
moments and details of your day—you’ll remember them
forever.”
In looking back on my own wedding day, a friend offered
to make my wedding cake for the 400 guests as a wedding
gift. I gave her detailed images of the cake I wanted and
when I arrived at the reception—it was not what I had
expected and at that moment, I was sad. As instantly as I
held that emotion, I remembered those words of wedding
day advice. I instantly realized the time, energy and love
my friend dedicated to giving me such a generous gift. I
looked back at our cake; it became the most beautiful cake
in the world. The love that was poured into it couldn’t be
bought or replaced and I was blessed.
Reflecting back on the perfect wedding day, Shane and
Jessica beamed with contentment. It wasn’t about the food,
the decorations or even the music that made their wedding
perfect. It was their love and commitment to one another.
According to Shane, “Our wedding day was a picture
perfect day. It was magical and obviously the best day of
my life.” That is what makes a “real wedding”.