Melissa and Greg’s wedding has really stolen our hearts. It is the absolute perfect combination of unbelievable elegance with enough rustic touches to keep the entire feeling intimate and warm. Of course, it’s no surprise we are obsessed, thanks to photos by one of our all time favorite photographers, Bret Cole.
What made the wedding special and unique?
What I think made our wedding so special was all of our friends and family who joined us on the day. There was so much love in the air and joy in celebrating… Nothing we could have planned for or budgeted for could have taken the place of our gratitude for whom we surround ourselves with.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
When I pictured what I thought I would be married in, I pictured a strapless lace wedding dress. I tried several of them on and found a beautiful one that I thought would be it! But there was a Monique Lhullier trunk show the following week, and i knew I had to check it out before making a final decision. I took one of my best friends Taylor with me, and as soon as we walked into the store, I was drawn to it. It has this ethereal and free quality to it, but also feels classic and flirty to me all at the same time. When I tried it on, I knew that was how I wanted to feel on my wedding day. (Plus having straps made it easier to dance!) My mom came up the following day to see it for herself, and she loved it and loved me in it, so we went to dinner and celebrated.
What were some touches added to make it personal?
Our reception was in the middle of a redwood grove – the trees were so beautiful and provided some shade on a hot summer day. Greg and I both love to be outside, so having our celebration take place outdoors made it feel more personal and suitable for us as a couple. We also wrote a note that we left at the chair of each of our guests thanking them for their special place in our lives, and explaining that we wouldn’t be where we are today without their relationships and influences.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
The most memorable part of the day was how I felt standing at the altar holding hands with Greg. Knowing that we were going to be officially married just moments later was the most incredible feeling I’ve had. I also have to say that I will never forget my sister’s maid of honor speech and Greg’s brother’s best man speech. Both were spoken so emotionally from the heart, were funny, and so thoughtful – I hope we always live up to be the the people and have the relationship they both described. My sister performed a wedding hula (a surprise to me and also a family tradition!) which took my breath away.
Vendors: Photography: Bret Cole Photography // Ceremony site: Our Lady of Wayside, Portola Valley // Reception site and Catering: Family Farm // All flowers: Apis Floral // All prints: The Artful Bee // Hair: Jacqueline Duignan // Makeup: Bianca Rubi // Tables, Chairs, Table Top: Stuart Rental // Linens: Napa Valley Linens // Wedding dress & shoes: Monique Lhuillier // Bridesmaid Dresses: Ceremony by Joana August // Groom & Groomsmen Tux: Selix