LOVE ACTUALLY, IS ALL AROUND

Oh my gosh April 21, 2018 is one for the books. Dan and I were surrounded by so much love at our vow renewal. As planners ourselves, it was a little strange to be on the other end of an event. Our partners, Amanda and Heath ROCKED the event and we could not be more grateful for them! Our morning started early, surrounded by friends and family. It was an incredible celebration. Before I get into the details of how we put this all together, let me take you back a bit on how we started the planning process.
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A few years back on an anniversary, Dan surprised  me by singing (and playing guitar) a song he wrote just for me. The lyrics were that of our journey together. It was beautiful and I ugly cried. When he finished the song he said- we should renew our vows. We've made it so far and I am so proud to be with you. I cried more and said - YES! Then I showed him a folder on our computer of the vow renewal I had already planned out. Ha! I couldn't help myself! We talked about different ideas and what we most wanted for the big day. Being on the "bride & groom" side after becoming planners was a new adventure and we were excited to begin.

We searched for a LONG time for the right venue. Being planners turned out to be a bittersweet thing. We have worked at so many venues with so many vendors that narrowing down the right one felt impossible. The venue sets the tone for your event and we were sure we didn't want it to feel too wedding like. This was a vow renewal, we wanted it to be different. We spent many days looking at venues from the clients' eyes and found a gem we had yet to work at before. Lion's Park in Carpinteria was perfect for us. We toured the place with our kids and knew instantly it was the place for us. Our kids ran through the grass, smiling and laughing. They looked so happy to be there and we knew that our friends and family would love it too. 
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Once we booked with them everything else fell into place perfectly. We had met some wonderful people in the wedding industry and were excited to have the ever so talented DJ Zeke, Jeanne Tanner Photography, Mr & Mrs Churro, El Taco Catering and Santa Barbara Wedding Films work with us. We wanted to add some personal elements as well, so we had our incredible friends Nick and Al play for our ceremony. It was beautiful. We walked down to Jack Johnson's song Better Together. ​

While that song seems like a safe choice it was such a meaningful one. Dan and I listened to this album on our first date and it was the first concert we ever took our kids to. Nick sang the song and even though we heard it before, it was a moment I will never forget. Dan and Audrey walked down the aisle first. I grabbed Holden's hand and we began to follow. I saw all of our wonderful friends and family smiling and my heart felt like it could explode. Holden said this was his favorite moment of the whole vow renoodle (his pronunciation of renewal), holding my hand and walking with me. ​

Like a lot of couples deciding whether or not do a first look, I too worried that it wouldn't feel the same walking down the aisle. In all honesty, I am SO glad Dan and I did a first look this time around. Walking down the aisle after the first look was incredible. It did not take away from that wonderful walk. It was not any less special because we saw each other first because this was the first time our family and friends saw us. All four of us approached the lawn with love in our hearts and the feeling was reciprocated ten times over.

So let's get to the ceremony and how it all broke down. We asked my best friend Brea to officiate our ceremony and she did a flawless job. We knew we had to make this different from a wedding though. We wanted our guests to feel at ease with less formality. We talked about different ways, but ultimately it was Dan and the kids who had the great idea for a picnic. Audrey and Holden love to go on picnics with us and they said why don't we do that for your vows? Dan jumped at the idea with blankets to sit on and baskets full of snacks and drinks. We wanted everyone to start enjoying the day with us by eating thru and before the ceremony. We had no intention of doing a cocktail hour so we thought we would mix it into our ceremony. Our guests loved it! Some even took home the baskets and blankets. It was perfect!!

Our ceremony was short and sweet. We said personal vows to each other (I totally made Dan cry with an Inception movie quote) and to our kids and god-daughters. We laughed, cried and reminisced about the beautiful 12 years together. 

And then we kissed and partied the night away!

Our wedding in April 2008 was a  pastel green theme so this time around we stuck to jewel tones.--emerald green, navy, purple and hints of gold. The reception inside was set with these colors and it came out exactly how we envisioned. 

The wall behind our head table was set with gold circle frames with photos. They held photos of us and our guests over the last 12 years. It's like it told a story of all of us in that room. Everyone loved seeing old photos of themselves and how much we had all changed. (Hint: those "circle frames" were spray painted hula hoops)

One of the favorite items of the night was the coaster favors we made. Anyone who knows Dan, knows he is a freak for coasters. We have them all over our house! So we thought- let's make beer coasters for our guests to take home. With an epoxy resin, hardener, silicone mold and many beer bottle caps we created some pretty fantastic gifts.

We also had a great kids' table for all the little ones to enjoy. It was full of goodie bags, coloring activities and a lollipop centerpiece. ​

And let us not forget the sweet purple goblets we used as place cards. 

Earlier in this blog I mentioned that we did a first look and I thought I should elaborate a bit on it. We always tell our clients that  no matter what you choose it will be the right thing, as long as YOU choose. Do what feels right for you both. For us, a first look was what we wanted. At our wedding, we didn't see each other until the walk down the aisle and it felt a little overwhelming. We wanted a moment to be alone before all of the timelines and photos and what-not got started. This time we got that first look and it was magical.

Jeanne and her incredible assistant Erin, stayed with me in the suite as I put on my dress preparing to see Dan. My mom stayed close as I stepped into my dress. I didn't get that moment when I first got married. I got ready alone and didn't see my parents until they walked me down. This time my mom and my daughter Audrey, were the first to see me. We teared up and basked in the moment. Here we were, 3 generations getting ready together on such a special day. 

My dress was and is so special to me. This Stella York design was the first one I tried on and Audrey's pick. I was surrounded by my sister Samantha, my Mom, Aunt Tina and Aunt Gina, my cousins Kyla and Emma and my daughter Audrey. In my previous blog, I mentioned how my wedding dress was NOT what I envisioned. I was so young and thought I could draw out a design and it would look great. Yikes! I was naive. I took my sketch to a little shop and when it came to try on, I could  not bring myself to say I did not like it. I drew it after all!  I tossed it away a week after my wedding. Or so I thought. A couple years into our marriage I found a box hidden in my closet. Dan had saved my wedding dress. He said he wanted to keep it because it was special to him. I still think it's a bit tacky but seeing it through his eyes made me appreciate him even more.

As I finished my touch ups and jewelry, I began to get nervous. I had been with Dan all morning but seeing him in my dress was a whole new feeling. I wanted him to love it as much as I did. I walked from the bridal room to the lawn area and did some alone shots with Jeanne and Erin. The more we talked and took photos the more my nerves went away. I felt beautiful. I felt honored to be with my husband. He is my absolute rock and knowing we were about to have that moment made me feel loved. Loved by my husband, loved by my children and loved by all of our guests who were coming. Then he walked over.

I cannot tell you the feeling I got from this moment. It was pure bliss. I know that sounds so cheesy but it's true! I saw him and his smile and my heart was full. Twelve years together and I am still crazy about this guy.

If that wasn't enough, we still had the reveal with our kids. I am not being cliche when I say that love was all around. It was in the air, in our voices and in our movement. Our kids ran to us with pure joy in their hearts. Together as a family we had overcome so much and our vow renoodle (thank you Holden for that new word) was about all of us!

The rest of the night was enjoyed with our family. That includes friends. Because, friends are family that you can choose (damn you Lego Batman and that damn song). It's so true though! Our celebration was so much more than just about us. It was a celebration of the people who stood by our side thru 12 years. The people who have and continue to grow with us. It was about the family we had in everyone there.

Dan and I did a choreographed dance to Dustin Kensrue's Of Crows and Crowns. It was a surprise to most people and Audrey's favorite part of the night. She cried as we danced. I cried as we danced. Yes, I cry a lot but can you blame me?!
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Our hearts were full, so it only made sense that are bellies be just as full. We dined on tacos because DUH! from El Taco Catering. We snacked on macarons (Sugar Lab Bakeshop), pie and coffee. And then just because you gotta have a little something extra, the ever so wonderful Mr & Mrs Churro treated our guests to something sweet. Can you guess it? Yep CHURROS! The best churros ever! Also, I had them for breakfast with my coffee the next day. No judgement! 

DJ Zeke kept the party going (as he always does) and went above and beyond with our photo booth. Again, we wanted something different and that really reflected us. We LOVE movies and thought -hey let's add some movie references in! So without hesitating, Zeke put together a green screen for our guests to add themselves into movie scenes. It was epic! We chose Jurassic Park, Back To The Future and Harry Potter. This was one of the hardest decisions. We love so many movies but narrowing it down to movies that are easily recognizable and fun to green screen into was a difficult task. We thought about doing all Wes Anderson movies but not all our guests know who that is (come on people- WES ANDERSON- get with it). We also wanted to choose things that our kids enjoyed so that's how our selection process went. It was a hit!! Between the great music, movie photo booth, toasts from our closest friends, tacos, beer and sweets, I felt like the night could last forever.

Sadly, the night came to an end. A beautiful end. Our family hugged us, said how much they enjoyed the party and how much they loved us. It was a magical day and I am so grateful to everyone who came and celebrated.

Whatever you choose to do for your wedding, vow renewal or other special event, do it with love. Remember that's why you're doing it and putting it together after all. Enjoy the planning process because it goes by so fast! Give us a call if you need a helping hand :)

Cheers to love, tacos, beer and churros!

Love,
​Savannah, Dan, Audrey & Holden

THANK YOU

Amanda & Heath Hushbeck/Simply S Events
Cat Chapman/Lions Park Carpinteria
Jeanne Tanner Photography (all photos on this blog) & assistant photographer Erin
DJ Zeke Santa Barbara & assistant Danny
Mr & Mrs Churro
Santa Barbara Wedding Films
​El Taco Catering