FROM THE BRIDE:
1.Favorite moment from the day?
My favorite moment was finally walking down the aisle and seeing my soon-to-be husband standing there, knowing that this was just the beginning of the rest of our lives together! I think that moment is when it truly hit me, and I was overwhelmed with joy.
2. What did you love most about your wedding day?
I love how we were able to incorporate ourselves and our families into the event. We love being out in nature so getting married on the Carson River in the Sierras was a dream come true. Most of the decor and centerpieces were put together by my mom and her best friend. Mark’s mom baked the cupcakes and cookies, and her husband & his son were responsible for chopping the wood and putting together the wooden pieces for the cupcake stand and cake holder. Mark and I put together the playlist based on songs that had meaning to us and bands that we had seen together. Every little detail was significant to us in some way which made the day that much more special.
3. Why did you want to get married at Hope Valley?
We knew we wanted our wedding to be in the Sierras, not only because it’s beautiful but because we wanted to be nearby Mark’s grandparents so they wouldn’t have to travel far. We had visited Hope Valley on a few occasions when we would visit his family, and fell in love with the scenery. The river, mountains and trees were the perfect backdrop for us.
4. How did you pick your reception venue??
Sorensen’s Resort is a lovely place we had visited during the winter, when the grounds were covered with snow a foot deep. We had lunch there in the cozy cafe and walked around the property a bit to see the adorable log cabins, birch trees, creeks, etc. It was so quaint and peaceful, not to mention great food, that the choice was easy!
5. Pros and Con’s about having an intimate destination wedding?
One of the benefits of having a small destination wedding is that you can actually spend quality time with your guests on your wedding day! We didn’t have to rush to say a quick hello & then move along to the next table. The biggest downside would be not being able to invite everyone to witness the ceremony, though we are planning a post-wedding celebration locally for our friends and family.
6. Advice for future brides planning destination/intimate wedding
This is probably true for any type of wedding, but you will hear a lot of opinions about your choices. Remember to do what makes you and your partner happy because the day is about you two!
