Real Weddings Magazine - Issue #27-F20-DIGITAL - The Best Wedding Vendors in Sacramento, Tahoe and throughout Northern California are all here

It was truly the best day and
hands down the most incredible party
we have ever thrown.
—Marie
hour sightseeing tour across London. They liked each
so much that Marie delayed her plans to visit Ireland
for a week and instead extended her time in England.
In meant-to-be fashion, as she prepared to fly
home, Mike was flying back to California for a conference
in Sacramento. Over the next year, Marie traveled
to England to visit Mike and the couple met up for
travels in Spain, Mexico, Arizona, Utah and New York
City. A year later, Mike moved back to California and
another year later they got engaged.
After an 11-month engagement, they married at
the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Marie loved
walking down the aisle with her parents to meet Mike.
“We grasped each other’s hands,” she says. “It was
definitely a very cool moment like, ’This is it! We did it!’”
The couple worked with planner Jenn Robirds
Events for their ceremony and their reception, the
latter which was held at The Willow Ballroom and
Event Center.
“We really wanted to make sure our family could
be there and to make the weekend easy for everyone,”
says Marie, noting she and Mike hired a 56-person bus
to transport their family from the Kimpton Sawyer
Hotel in downtown Sacramento to the ceremony
then reception.
Marie honored her grandfather, who was a beloved
accordionist for Italian weddings and other special
events throughout the Central Valley. The newlyweds
played a recording of him performing “That’s Amore.”
Marie says that was the most sentimental moment of
the wedding day. Additionally, Marie’s cousin made
cannoli using her grandmother’s recipe. “It was really
special to incorporate my grandparents in our wedding
since they are no longer with us,” she shares.
The fall wedding featured dark and moody colors
like black, gold and maroon and their stunning black
and gold cake was non-traditional and one of Marie’s
favorite elements. Mike’s favorite part of the day was
“seeing all of our closest family and friends together.
It’s pretty rare that everyone gets together at once, so
that was really neat.”
Looking back on their wedding, they and their
guests will remember the dancing. “It was truly the
best day and hands down the most incredible party
we have ever thrown,” says Marie.
And in true romantic movie fashion, the couple
honeymooned in London, where they recreated the
first day they met. OO —Kristen Castillo
THE DETAILS //
PHOTOGRAPHER
Andrew & Melanie Photography
andrewandmelanie.com
See ad on page 24
WEDDING PLANNER AND EVENT DESIGNER
Jenn Robirds Events | jennrobirdsevents.com
See ad on page 217
RECEPTION SITE
The Willow Ballroom and Event Center
thewillowballroom.com
See ad on page 121
SELECT RENTALS
Celebrations! Party Rentals and Tents
celebrationspartyrentals.com
See ad on page 7
SELECT RENTALS
Forever Vintage Rentals
forevervintagerentals.com
See ad on page 219
TURN TO PAGE 182 FOR MORE OF
MARIE & MIKE’S WEDDING PROFESSIONALS
> VISIT OUR WEBSITE REALWEDDINGSMAG.COM
FOR A FULL LIST OF MARIE & MIKE’S WEDDING
PROFESSIONALS ALONG WITH MORE DETAILS,
PHOTOS AND TIPS FROM THE COUPLE.
REALWEDDINGSMAG.COM // REAL WEDDINGS | 127