When this couple approached my company, A Day Like No Other, for help with planning their wedding, they had already done a lot of venue search and identified a number of constraints. No wedding in Fall, out in nature, preferably under towering Redwood trees, with sufficient shade against the California sun, a polished event venue, close-by accommodations for their numerous out-of-town guests, not too far away from Silicon valley… and if that wasn’t tricky enough, their respective parents had overlapping date conflicts. In short, this was not easy! Until… enter River House, a fairly new event venue in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It checked most of the couple’s requirements, AND it had suitable event dates still available. BOOKED!
With just under nine months to go (and demanding work schedules for both bride and groom), we had our work cut out for us. The wedding planner provided by the venue helped with local connections and vendors. After a whirlwind of sourcing, comparing and booking vendors, food and cake tastings, showroom visits and lounge furniture selection, organizing a Tea Ceremony preceding the Western festivities and an afterparty close to the wedding venue…. the Big Day had finally arrived!

Given the mid-morning Tea Ceremony to start the day, the bride and her bridesmaids and the mothers had to get up VERY early to have their hair and makeup done (DesignHerImage).
The traditional Tea Ceremony was held at the Hilton Scotts Valley hotel which served as the “home base” for the couple, their family members and many of their guests.


After that, the Western part of their wedding day started… with transit to River House, the local wedding planner taking over and bride and groom getting into Western wedding attire.

Beautiful romantic bouquets in pastel Spring colors (Laurel Canyon Farms) were waiting for the bride (and her bridesmaids…)


… who were themselves wearing assorted pastel Spring colors.
The groom and groomsmen were dressed up for the celebration as well:

Ready for their First Look – all captured by the One Love photo team and Curio videographers.


Always such an emotional moment…


This should be their official wedding photo, don’t you think?!
But there was still the ceremony to come! Guests were arriving via shuttle (Corinthian Ground Transportation)

Here comes the bride…

… for her romantic wedding ceremony in the outdoor pavilion, serenaded by Innocenti Strings.

Just married!

YESSSS!!
And while guests got to enjoy not only the usual cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (by Love Creek Catering), but also ice cream and a veritable British High Tea (!), lounging on vintage furniture pieces by White Rabbit Event Rentals, the newlyweds went off to take even more photos.




Isn’t that pretty?! Guests were then invited to dinner in the lavishly decorated Barn with tables, chairs and tabletop items from Alexis Party Rental...

… where they also had their choreographed First Dance to tunes by Santa Cruz DJ …



… their ceremonial cake cutting…

… and a LOT of wild dancing with their guests!

And the Grand Send-off with sparklers …? That was just the send-off to an afterparty!


Keep partying, Megan and Justin! Wishing you continued happiness!




















































































































































































































