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

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MIA & KEVIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAILEY AYSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Mia and Kevin met while attending the same classes
at Lodi High School. “The first time we hung out outside
of school was when my sisters and I had a baking
competition, and Kevin and his friends wanted in on the
sweets,” says Mia.
Fast forward to 2018 and the couple took a hike on
the Tomales Point Trail on the Point Reyes National Seashore.
“Kevin had been watching the weather all week
because constant rain was expected,” says Mia. “Luckily,
it only lightly sprinkled and was wonderful hiking
weather.” Halfway through the hike, they reached the
end of the peninsula, and Kevin got down on one knee
with the ocean waves surging around them. “We hiked
almost 10 miles that day, but the five miles back after
the proposal flew by,” remembers Mia. They headed
to Napa for a celebratory dinner to round out the day.
Their favorite parts of the planning process were
the menu tasting at Park Winters and the cake tasting
with Palette Cakes. “You could call us foodies, but both
vendors simply serve the most delicious food and desserts,”
shares the bride.
The couple wanted their big day filled with their
closest family and friends, amazing food and a go-withthe-flow
vibe. With Mia’s prior youth pastor leading
the ceremony, the occasion was heartfelt and fun. “We
shared both personal and traditional vows and loved
doing so,” says Mia.
Guests then moved on to the whitewashed barn
at Park Winters for the reception. “The most memorable
moments were during the toasts,” shares Mia.
“Wedding planners typically recommend each person
giving a speech to leave it to three to five minutes. Of
all five people toasting, not one made it within that time
frame.” Mia’s two sisters toasted together intermixing
speech and song with modified versions of “Mamma
Mia,” “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” from
The Sound of Music and “Satisfied” from Hamilton.
The bride exclaims, “It was a crowd pleaser!” Kevin’s
Dutch uncle and aunt also led the guests in a modified
traditional Dutch song called “Aan de Amsterdamse
Grachten” during the reception.
The music continued on the dance floor. “I have
never seen a higher percentage of guests on the dance
floor than at our wedding,” says the bride. “I have heard
this from other vendors who have worked with Joe
from SJ’s Disc Jockey. We honestly did not have time
to pick out songs for dancing. Joe read the crowd, and
we all had a blast!”
What they would have done differently? Mia shares
“So many things. But in the end, none of it matters.”
The couple would have taken off more time from work
leading up to the wedding, packed ahead of time for the
honeymoon and even opted for better items to put on
their registry, but what was most important was sharing
such a special day with their loved ones. “We were able
to start the rest of our lives together with our closest
family and friends. Any craziness, lack of planning and
spontaneity made it so special.” OO —Darren Elms
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