Best of Both Worlds

Reylena was my first friend I met at Biola University over seven years ago and she quickly became one of my dearest friends. Reylena has the most beautiful heart for serving those in need, is an incredible listener, and woman of grace. When she met James in grad school where they were both working on their Master’s in Social Work at USC, I knew there was something different about this guy. She would call me and tell me about this amazing man and the conversations they were having. I knew it was only a matter of time until he would pop the question and we could start planning her wedding together!

During their engagement, James finished school, Reylena worked full time, completed her internship, moved, planned a wedding, and finished school a few months after James. Needless to say, this woman is amazing! Their wedding day in the desert where Reylena grew up was the absolutely perfect day! Every detail fell into place, the weather was beautiful, and Reylena was the most calm bride. Her family coming together with James’ family was so special to witness.

Not only did I have the privilege of being Reylena’s coordinator, I also got to be a bridesmaid and stand next to one of my best friends on the most exciting day of her life! I got to celebrate with her in her bridal party, but also serve her doing something I love! What a special gift it was to part of her day! It truly was the best of both worlds for both of us!

A Surprise for the Groom

Fredy & Leia

8/13/16

I met Fredy and Leia at crossfit two years ago. We used to lift together every day. They were my third crossfit wedding! Noticing a trend…I love crossfit weddings! When you see the same people every day and you face some of the toughest workouts together, you build incredible friendships. This was definitely true for Fredy and Leia who met in the 5:30pm class at the gym;) As these two fell in love with each other, the 5:30 crew definitely liked what they were seeing!

Fredy and Leia tied the knot in August and the day was perfection! Leia’s vision for a simple and elegant design came to life at the Betty Reckas Cultural Center better than she imagined. With an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, their friends and family had a blast celebrating these two! I loved her choice of tall floral arrangements but with just baby’s breath. The gold décor looked amazing and their photographers did such a great job capturing the little details of their wedding!

Both and Leia and Fredy’s favorite part of the day was when Leia surprised the groom with a banda! Fredy had wanted a banda but they had both decided not to move forward with hiring one. Much to Fredy’s surprise Leia planned to have one come! Fredy had no idea Leia and his brother had been working together to hire a banda for their reception. He was so surprised when they opened the doors and they came in singing!

I had so much fun working with Fredy and Leia and talking wedding details at the gym as they planned their wedding!

xoxo,

Amanda

A Couple that Lifts Together...

Dani & Mike

7/30/16

In July Dani and Mike got married and it was just the best day! I met Dani and Mike where we used to all workout doing Crossfit down in Mission Viejo. They are two of the strongest (literally!) people I know with the biggest hearts. Mike used to coach us and Dani was unstoppable in the gym! These two brought so much to our community and it was so sweet to watch them workout together and do life with one another in and outside of the gym. They met in college and had been dating for years. Mike is now a special education teacher and Dani just finished her doctorate and works as a chiropractor.  They are such fun people to be around and I absolutely loved getting to be a part of making their vision come to life!

For almost a year we worked together dreaming up each perfect detail for their wedding day. We shared many dinners and laughs as we talked through everything leading up to the big day. They got married at Walnut Grove in Moorpark and it was gorgeous with farm tables and oak vineyard chairs, string lights, and an intimate ceremony in the cool shade of huge trees.

Their reception had hundreds of candles, flowers arranged by a longtime family friend, signature cocktails, and lots of dancing! I don’t know many people who like to have a good time as much as these two! They are always dancing, adventuring, and celebrating together and their friends and families were overjoyed to finally share in their much anticipated wedding day!

Dani and her mom were extremely organized and thought of every little thing. From each table having its own box of décor to fans for their afternoon ceremony, they were on it! I had so much fun getting to know Dani’s family throughout the process of planning for their wedding and we had such a blast on their wedding day!

A week after Dani and Mike got back from their honeymoon Dani volunteered to assist me at another wedding…how sweet is that?!

xoxo,

Amanda Grace

Love is Sweet

Maddy & Caleb

2/6/16

In February I got to be a part of one of the sweetest of weddings for a dear from college. Maddy and I met freshman year and have been friends ever since so getting to help create the day she envisioned to marry William Caleb Parker was such a treat! There were the most darling personal touches in every detail from the people that helped set up to both of their fathers officiating the ceremony to the dessert that was made in Tennessee and flown to California.

Early in the morning several people, young and old, came to the reception to help set up tables and chairs for 250 guests and carefully place handmade centerpieces. As we pulled everything together it was a true picture of community coming together to show love to two people we are all lucky to know. With both of their dads being pastors, they each got to play a role in the ceremony and together they spoke words of wisdom and love as Maddy and Caleb exchanged vows and promises to serve and love together forever. There was not a dry eye in that church!

Probably my favorite detail from the wedding was the dessert! Caleb’s family has a secret cookie recipe that Maddy wasn’t allowed to have until they got married. Maddy swore she wasn’t just marrying him for the recipe but I know it was a huge perk for that sweets-loving lady;) For their wedding Caleb’s grandma and aunts baked dozens of these magic cookies and flew them to California for the reception. At the rehearsal dinner Maddy was given the recipe as she was welcomed in the Parker family. With these sweet, melt in your mouth, cookies, Maddy and Caleb served brownies (made by the famous Mrs. Clarke!) and had a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cart! Maddy would eat ice cream for every meal if she could so it was perfect and guests loved it!

Maddy and Caleb are two of the sweetest people I know and it was such a blessing to get to be a part of making their vision for their day come to life!

xoxo,

Amanda Grace

Steve and Lindi Hit It Outta The Park!

Steve & Lindi

1/17/16

Steve and Lindi’s wedding at Angel’s Stadium was by far one of the most exciting venues I got to work at! They invited 200 of their closest friends to join them in the Diamond Club and celebrate God’s faithfulness in their relationship. It was an evening of laughter, good food and dancing, complete with the announcer from the stadium as the DJ!

After their ceremony at King of Glory Lutheran Church, where Steve and Lindi attend church, guests made their way to Angel’s Stadium to continue the celebration! As guests arrived they signed the calendar guest book filled with Lindi and Steve’s engagement pictures taken on the field by Antonio Espino Photography. It was a simple evening with BBQ sliders, toasts, a custom Steve and Lindi bobble-head cake topper, and peanuts and ballpark snacks for guests to enjoy! It was great to see a room filled with so much love and joy as we celebrated the union of Steve and Lindi!

Xo,

Amanda Grace

More pictures in the gallery of Steve and LIndi!

Palm Springs Getaway

Ashley & Drew

1/9/16

Being a part of Ashley and Drew’s wedding weekend was such a joy for me! About a year before her wedding, Ashley and I met one night to start dreaming up her Palm Springs wedding. We had always kind of known each other in college through mutual friends but never really had the chance to get to know each other. Little did we know that after one night talking about wedding details, we would soon grow to become dear friends in such a short amount of time. When you get to do what you love for people you adore, it makes creating the day of their dreams so special!

Growing up, Ashley loved going to the desert to visit her grandparents and it meant so much to her to have antique furniture from her Grammie’s house and memories made in the little town she loved to visit. When Ashley found The O’Donnell House, she instantly fell in love with the quaint home nestled into the hillside overlooking the desert. After about a year and half engagement, a new job for Drew, and an almost completed Master’s Degree for Ashley, friends and family traveled to Palm Springs in crisp January to celebrate their much anticipated wedding!

Their wedding day was so perfect! Ashley had thought through every single detail, her photographers were sweet friends from childhood and there were personal touches on everything from welcome table down to the escort cards. Despite rain in the forecast, Ashley kept her cool and guests still had a great time! With a live band and food from the best Mexican restaurant in the desert, the night was flawless!

This wedding was so special to me because one of my dearest friendships today grew out of it! What’s even more fun is four months after coordinating their wedding, I got to be on the team that coordinated Ashley’s graduation from Chapman University with her Master’s Degree. What’s next…baby shower? ;) I hope so!

xoxo,

Amanda Grace

Oceanfront Bliss

Carrie & Travis

9/26/16

I met Carrie at the gym where we both do Crossfit in Mission Viejo. After our workouts she would tell me about school where she was a teacher and I would tell her about the events I would do. She knew Travis would be proposing soon and would need help pulling all the details together. Carrie had always dreamed of a wedding by the beach and the OC Sailing and Event Center overlooked Dana Point Harbor with a gorgeous view of the water. With an outdoor ceremony, taco man for dinner and Travis’s favorite donuts for dessert, their family and friends had a great time celebrating with perfect weather on an evening by the coast.

I loved that they had a rose ceremony honoring their moms, homemade centerpieces and a mason jar for each guest, making each detail of their wedding come together to make the day just what they had imagined. It was so sweet to see their friends and family come together to dance the night away as the sun set over the ocean. Carrie and Travis were so happy to be surrounded by loved ones as they began their new life together! I love how happy they make each other and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!

xoxo,

Amanda Grace

Down on the Farm

Meagan & Cory

10/10/15

Meagan and Cory got married at one of my favorite venues, Quail Haven Farm in Vista, CA. The James wedding was my second time getting to work with Lindy at the Farm and she is simply the best! I love working there because Lindy is amazing, her team is so helpful, and the space attracts the kindest, most down to earth brides.

The weather was perfect for Meagan and Cory’s day with family from all over, including Australia! They had a taco man, churro cart, and lots of dancing. Every single detail was thought through by Meagan, the most organized and relaxed bride I have ever worked with! At the rehearsal Meagan surrendered her giant binder to me and was able to relax and enjoy the weekend with her family and friends. My favorite thing about my job is making sure a bride gets to truly enjoy their wedding day knowing that they don’t have to worry about a single thing! I’m thankful that I got to work with Lindi again and for the chance to help Meagan create the day of her dreams!

xoxo,

Amanda Grace