KATIE + ERIC

KATIE + ERIC | ROMANTIC BACKYARD WEDDING |MARCH 19, 2016

I was so honored to have had the opportunity to photograph Katie and Eric’s love story!! If you missed their engagement session at the Orange Circle in Downtown Orange check it out here.

The bride and groom hired me based off of the recommendation of the bride’s step father Walter Urie. Walter is a full time photographer as well as a professor at Orange Coast College where I studied Photography. I was one of his students about 8 years ago and he has followed my photography career over the years! You can say that I was more than flattered when Walter inquired about hiring me to capture his daughter’s wedding. It was the BIGGEST compliment I have ever received; one of my mentors and teachers wanted to trust me with capturing the MOST important day of his daughter’s life! WOW. I remember getting off the phone, practically in tears and overcome with joy and feeling SO honored! It was a really proud moment in my career, one that I won’t soon forget!!

The bride and grom decided to have a backyard style wedding in the private residence of the bride’s step father and Mother’s home in Riverside! The couple got engaged in the living room of their home the previous year and they knew that they wanted to say their ‘I DO’S’ in the exact same place!

The reception was to be held in the back yard surrounded by ivy, spring flowers and twinkle lights! The entire family pulled together to pull this exquisite garden party together!

Check out the Q & A I had with bride + groom about their magical day!!!

FROM THE BRIDE + GROOM:
1. What was your Favorite moment(s) from your wedding day:
a. Seeing my Folks for the “first look” and knowing that they are beyond proud of me, and seeing my dream come to life.
b. Walking down the aisle to stand with my almost Husband.
c. Sitting next to my Husband while his Brother, my Maid of Honor, my Dad and his Dad made Toasts. It was the first time I really felt the feeling of “we are married!”
2. What did you love most about your wedding day?
EVERYTHING!!! Marrying my best friend, having our closest friends and family from all over the country there, and enjoying every single moment.
  3. How did you pick your wedding venue??
My Groom proposed to me at my folks house, in the living room. So immediately after, he said that California would be great, and I said “what about here?” and it was settled!
4. Pros and Con’s about having an Estate wedding? Advice for future brides planning a backyard wedding?
The space was the biggest challenge, since we have such a wonderful (and BIG) group of family and friends. We had to limit our guest list to 68 people which was incredibly difficult, but thankfully people have been understanding. The other challenge, was not knowing what the weather was going to be. There was no way to set up a tent, so we would have had to gone indoors and set up the tables in the house (which would have been a squeeze) and get married while people sat at their table. Thankfully, weather was on our side!
5. Favorite thing about your venue?? Favorite thing about your Wedding???
It was magical! My Mom did 90% of the planning and preparation, which included her washing and polishing and ironing all of the antique dishes she had collected over the years, silver and 100+ year old linens. My Uncle and Stepdad put up gorgeous festiva string lights around the yard. The ambience was out of a Dream! My folks moved to that house only a couple of years ago, and between the proposal and the wedding, it sure made it our family home. 
6. What inspired your wedding–theme? Decorations?
My Mom and photos I have seen of Barnyard Rustic weddings. I loved the idea of farm tables with my Mom’s collection of old dishes and linens. Dried flowers were great, because we could arrange them in advance, and make them exactly how we wanted. The string lighting finished it all off with a glow!
7. What was your favorite part of the wedding planning process???
Every decision made, was one more piece of the puzzle. I think the little decisions that were going to be a surprise to my Groom tickled me the most.
8. Is there anything you would have changed or done differently
I would have had a fire extinguisher easily accessible. One of the dried flower arrangements went up in flames, and thankfully Ziad the head chef came to the rescue and carried the flaming vase to safety, and doused it with water. It was quite exciting and laughable after the fact. Our chef literally put out a fire.
9. Anything else you want to add???
My Husband and I are both so incredible happy, and grateful for this dream come true wedding day. We have never felt more love for each other, and our family and friends. 

Dress Designer: Vera Wang
Bridesmaid dresses: Vera Wang (they even had pockets!)
Hair: Michelle Beckman
Makeup: Michelle Beckman
Shoes: Dan Post
Florist: “The Flower Patch” on Etsy.com
Catering: Zee La Vie Catering
DJ: Katie’s 2nd Cousin Casey-Anne Roach
Officiant: Walter Urie
Groom Suit: Vera Wang