Oh my word guys...I cannot believe we are finally on the other side of Alex and Dustin's wed-stravaganza!  4 days, thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of planning hours and it has come and gone in the blink of an eye.

If you told me a year and a half ago that I would be planning a 4 day wedding at a retreat center deep in the Redwoods of California this...I would have laughed in your face.  I was originally brought on to help with coordinating a 2 day event, in New Hampshire with rustic flare and a distinctly New England vibe.  This, I could do in my sleep and jumped on board without hesitation.  Little did I know, several months into vetting and planningprocess I would get a call one day from the couple, who make their lives in California...telling me that all of this just didn't feel like they were being true to themselves and wanted to completely switch gears, shifting everything to their home state.  I'm not sure if shock is a strong enough sentiment to describe what was going through my mind lol.

So, I did what I always do...I put my big girl pants on, pulled myself upself up by my bootstraps and dove in.  Let me tell you, this was the learning experience of all learning experiences.  Nothing...and I mean nothing could have prepared me for the types of personalities I would encounter along the way while researching and vetting pros...good gravy.  I would just like to apologize for any time I have ever had a moment of frustration with any NY pros because some of these wackadoos...ugh but I digress.

Luckily, we worked together (the couple, the families and I) and ended up with a pretty spectacular team of pros that I for one, will always be grateful for.  Over the last year and a half, so many of them have become like family to me and I miss hearing their voices already.  So much talent and such truly incredible humans.

We began by planning a small family celebration at the Wolfeboro Inn in Wolfeboro, NH.  The groom and his grandmother are extremely close (even sharing the same birthday) and knowing that she would not be able to make the trip across the country, we worked hand in hand with the venue and couple to create an intimate, chef-created wine dinner as the first step in this journey.

2 months later and we are finally ready!  The wedding weekend's festivities included a unique opportunity for the guests to stay on-site at the venue in rustic, but fully equipped cabins as well as the option to stay at a gorgeous local hotel where we secured a block.  Guests enjoyed meals, yoga, yard games, wine nights around the bonfire...and that's before we even got to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. 

We helped coordinate a beautiful accoustic performace by 2 of the bridal party members and a custom Mexican Style BBQ with rubs and sauces being shipped in from the couple's favorite Austin joint Salt Lick BBQ after the formal rehearsal. Our love Laura over at Fieldsketch Farms provided floral design for the weekend and she did not disappoint at this first formal event of the weekend.

Wedding day held another great custom Breakfast Taco Bar featuring the couple's favorite local sauces and salsas and a wonderful brunch delivery for the bridal party and their parents.  The day continued with a Pre-Ceremony Greeting for early arrivals and guests joining us from the hotel via our incredible shuttle providers.  Here they enjoyed a beautiful display of local and imported cheeses, fruits and berries as well as a non-alcoholic beverage greeting.  Their ceremony was held down in the grotto of giant trees, better known as the Ampitheatre.  Their officiate and long time family friend Jaimen McMillan conducted a truly beautiful ceremony, themed after what else...trees.  Tashce and Alex from Vybe Society serenaded us all with their accoustic duo.  The couple had a great escape in a beautiful classic car provided by our pal Harry.  

After cocktails and an incredible abundance of local tastes on the deck over looking the giant Redwoods, having jammed out to Vybe Society's Jazz Trio...the guests were invited up to the gorgeous Pixie Garden surrounded by lush greenery underneath the dusk sky.  Family Style Dining and cusom wine pairings were enjoyed by all at tables stunningly dressed in olive and merlot by our pals at Alexis Rentals and adorned by hand painted table markers by the mother of the groom.  Fieldsketch (who also provided absolutely stunning florals for the ceremony and pre-ceremony and cocktail hour areas) created yet another show-stopping space that was honestly just drop dead gorgeous.

Dancing followed in the lodge provided by the full 10 piece wonder that is Vybe Society.  What a band, what a crowd, what a night!  Mom and Dad of the bride worked for days to create the elegant 3 tiered traditional English Wedding Cake that was cut and shared with all.  After all of that, if you can believe anyone was still standing...a late night bonfire with camp blankets, wine and craft beers was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Sunday morning, we said good-bye to guests at the charming welcome gardens and Alba Grove with a Breakfast Burrito Bar and full assortment of breakfast breads, local jams, fruits and more.

This wedding had dozens of vendors and staff along the way that helped us finally end up with an incredible set of events that I personally, will always remember.  The intricacy and complexity of this type of wedding are not at all possible without a full team of support and I want to thank them all for every moment.

Pre-Wedding Celebration:  Wolfeboro Inn
Bride's Attire:  Lily Saratog
Bride's Alterations and Customization/Mother of the Bride's Custom Weekend Attire:  Kim Vanyo
Groom's Attire:  Bonos
Groomsmen Attire:  JCrew
Website Provider:  Zola
Save the Dates, Invitations, Custom Signage, Thank You Cards:  Vistaprint
Rubs & Sauces for Rehearsal Dinner:  Salt Lick BBQ
Accoustic Performance Rehearsal Night:  Chris & Samantha Li
Hair & Makeup:  Meljaye Simie & Team
Photo:  Jake & Necia Photography
Photobooth:  Rebel Photobooth
Hotel Block:  Hilton Scott's Valley
Venue:  The Sequoia Retreat Center
Shuttles:  The Santa Cruz Experience
Floral Design:  Fieldsketch Farms
Rentals:  Alexis Rentals
Accoustic Due (ceremony), Jazz Trio (cocktail hour), 10 Piece Band for Reception:  Vybe Society

AND A HUGE, AND I MEAN HUGE THANK YOU TO MY ASSISTANT FOR THE WEEKEND, DYAN HOLT!!!  I 100% could not have pulled this off without you and I am grateful everyday for your professionalism, laughter and support.  You are so loved!!!

PHOTO CREDIT TO THE VERY TALENTED JAKE & NECIA PHOTOGRAPHY