Our Mountain Wedding
The day finally arrived! 3.12.22 has seemed forever on the horizon, but after months of patience, hard work, and excitement, March 12th became a reality. Joseph and I tied the knot at 1:30pm in the afternoon, under the oak trees in the small mountain town of Oak Glen, California. Here is what the day looked like:
I woke up bright and early, and headed up the mountain with Michelle, my maid of honor, to get some final things settled before we got ready. On the way up I played my playlist titled “Joseph”, and that’s when the water works started. I realized just how happy and full I was, and how blessed I felt, and the tears kept coming. After pulling it together, we headed over to a friend’s house to join all the bridesmaids and start getting ready for the day. My mom had laid out a delicious breakfast spread for us, and we all chatted, laughed, and hung out for a while before starting up the curling irons. I decided to do my own hair and makeup because I wanted to feel as much like myself on the day as possible. It took me only about 45 minutes, and I was ready for the first look.
The first look took place up by a little log cabin in an apple orchard. Joseph and I requested no onlookers, and no photographer; we wanted it private, just the two of us. I came around the cabin and when I saw Joseph standing there smiling, looking so handsome in his blue tweed, I lost it. We held each other and I cried so much. After many smiles and tears, we joined the whole bridal party for photos before heading up to the ceremony site.
The ceremony took place behind the historic stone schoolhouse in the Glen, under the huge oak trees…it was magical! As I stood with my dad behind one of the buildings waiting to be given the cue to walk, I remember saying out load “Oh my gosh, I get to marry him!” I was so ecstatic that Joseph was the man I was going to be marrying, and what a blessing and honor it was. I held my composure long enough to make it most of the way down the aisle, but when I saw Joseph again, waiting for me at the alter, I began to cry happy tears all over again. The ceremony was a blur. It felt so fast, and I just remember crying and smiling a lot. It was very special.
Once the ceremony was over, and Joseph and I were finally man and wife(!!!), everyone walked down to the adorable Wilshire’s Apple Shed for a porch reception. We had set up long tables all down the porch, and strung lights and eucalyptus through the eaves. The pizza oven roared and pizzas came out as guests made themselves comfortable with the charcuterie boards we had laid out down the entire length of the tables. On the lawn some lawn games were set out, along with drinks, and desserts, and in the front were fire pits and chairs for folks to relax. It was the most beautiful and relaxing space.
The goal was to make the reception feel like a relaxing get together, and not like a wedding. No dancing, no speeches, no schedule…just a bunch of friends and family hanging out, playing games, and eating cheese…the best kind of party! Joseph and I stood up and discreetly cut the cake without drawing too much attention, which was exactly what we wanted. All-in-all the whole day was relaxing and beautiful, and I wish I could go back and relive it all again and take even more mental pictures of everything.
After a few hours I changed into my going away outfit, we hugged our family and friends goodbye, and then we were off for a romantic cabin honeymoon in the mountains! It was a beautiful, beautiful day!
A HUGE thank you to:
Reception Venue - Wilshire’s Apple Shed
Wedding Coordinator - Cherie Riley Weddings
Photographer - Fortuna Photography
Florist - Flowers Etc.
