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

Sure, most people might recommend against dating
your coworkers but for Kristina (known as Tina)
and Russ, a workplace romance turned into wedding
bells after they met on the job. Russ applied for a role
where Tina worked, and as the executive assistant, Tina
greeted him when he came into the interview. He got
the job, and eventually, the two started dating. Three
years later, he gained another new title: husband. Tina
said yes to Russ’s proposal after he got down on one
knee at her surprise birthday party, surrounded by her
friends and family.
The two married at Crocker Art Museum in early
August. Both are avid art lovers, so when Tina learned
they could have the ceremony in one of her favorite
rooms of the museum, she had a hunch that would be
the perfect spot. “We saw a couple more venues,” she
says, “but we couldn’t get past how amazing it would
be to be married in that ballroom.”
Though the gallery itself provided plenty of gorgeous
décor for photos, Tina and her bridesmaids
made a few DIY items to use during the ceremony
and reception, including an unplugged ceremony
sign, seating arrangement sign and hand-dipped wine
glasses as favors.
It was the celebration of the couple’s dreams, but
there were a few humorous hiccups throughout the
day. “During our wedding ceremony, our pastor called
me Katrina three times during his speech. On the third
time, my mother-in-law corrected him by saying Tina
very loudly,” says Tina. “The whole room laughed out
loud.” Despite the humorous error, Russ still thought it
was a perfect ceremony. “Her smile lights up any room,
and she was just breathtaking to behold,” he says. “It
was a sight and feeling I will never forget.”
The celebration then moved to a second venue for
the reception, which was also filled with moments Tina
lovingly remembers. “My favorite part was my best
friend’s toast, which was a rap and dance using the
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme music,” she says, “but
she plugged in her own words to describe how Russ
and I met and fell in love.”
Both Tina and Russ agree that the biggest challenge
was staying within their budget, especially as
their guest list ended up being a bit higher than they
were initially expecting. The bride says she’d slow down
the engagement timeline a bit if she had to do it all over
again. “I would try to take more time to plan, to not
feel stressed about money, budgeting or guest count.”
The couple recalls the wedding and the days that
followed as a whirlwind of excitement. “For me, it was
a bit like a roller coaster: crazy excitement, then one
day of rest to say ‘whew.’ Then more excitement and
anticipation,” says Russ. And Tina agrees. “I felt relieved
as soon as it was over,” she says. “Plus, I couldn’t wait
to get away on our honeymoon cruise as husband and
wife!” OO —Suzie Dundas
THE DETAILS //
PHOTOGRAPHER AND PHOTO BOOTH
Image Society | imagesocietysac.com
See ad on page 12
CATERER
Ludy’s Catering | ludyscatering.com
See ad on page 118
CEREMONY CHAIR RENTALS
Celebrations! Party Rentals and Tents
celebrationspartyrentals.com
See ad on page 7
TURN TO PAGE 182 FOR MORE OF
TINA & RUSS’S WEDDING PROFESSIONALS
> VISIT OUR WEBSITE REALWEDDINGSMAG.COM
FOR A FULL LIST OF TINA & RUSS’S
WEDDING PROFESSIONALS ALONG
WITH MORE DETAILS, PHOTOS AND
TIPS FROM THE COUPLE.
REALWEDDINGSMAG.COM // REAL WEDDINGS | 141