The Couple: Lindsay & Lee
Wedding Date: August 16, 2014
Photography By Weddings by Scott & Dana
Tell us a little about you and your beloved: We met on an airplane from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. He first saw me as I got rejected at the gate (they printed my return ticket instead) and had to go to the counter for a new ticket. He was of course in the C boarding group. He found me and sat next to me. There was instant chemistry and we talked (or flirted) the entire flight. However, he almost didn’t ask for my phone number since I was planning to move to Washington a week later. Luckily he did and we spent the entire week together in L.A. before the move. We decided to attempt a long distance relationship which didn’t end up being too long since the company I was working for did major layoffs a few months after I moved. So I ended up back in L.A. to be with him.
Five years and an amazing daughter later, we decided to take a relaxing weekend away in Lake Tahoe. He was set on visiting the “castle” in Emerald Bay and I couldn’t understand why. An hour drive in the rain, the dirty hike down in my sandals (I was not prepared), a bee sting, a kayak ride (He lucked out that it was the last day for rentals that season), and my complaining the whole time… we finally made it to the little castle at the top. I still can’t remember anything he said once he got on his knee. But he had chosen that spot because he wanted some place special that would always bring a smile to our faces when we saw it. He could not have picked a more gorgeous place to propose!
We wanted to keep the planning of the wedding really simple and stress free and didn’t want the price tag for a single day to get out of control. What was most important was that we kept the day casual, relaxed, and fun for everyone. It’s not every day that you get to have all your favorite friends and family in the same place so we just wanted everyone to have a great time and dance. Although Lee said it was my day and I could plan it as I chose, I really wanted it to represent both of us. No man actually wants to show up to a hot pink wedding. So I would always choose a few favorites for everything and he could have the final say. But I still secretly really wish the men were in the grey tuxes. haha.
Once we found Scribner Bend Vineyards, no other venue stood a chance. It is gorgeous, intimate, and they made the wedding planning so simple. Their event coordinators are organized and friendly, their wine is amazing, and they include the tables/chairs (and set up/tear down), and bar servers. The venue was so naturally beautiful, that we wanted to keep our flowers simple (small arrangements of white/green flowers) with assorted black lanterns. We wanted something simple and timeless yet still elegant.
What was the most amazing part of your day? Really the whole day was amazing! The girls spent the night in the cottage on Scribner Bend Vineyards‘ property and we had hair and makeup come there. So we were never stressed or rushed. It was a calm day of pampering and champagne with my best friends. The ceremony was simple and perfect, the reception was a blast, and I couldn’t wipe a smile off my face the entire time. I just wish the day was longer.
But, if I had to pinpoint a single thing, it was really fun to dance with my dad. I’m pretty sure it was the first time we had ever danced together. We had a little lesson a couple days before to learn some spin moves and the song was one that spent a long time searching for to make sure it was perfect.
Ceremony and Reception Site: Scribner Bend Vineyards
Officiant: Jake Duckworth
Photographer: Weddings by Scott and Dana
Wedding Planner: Joe Wilson
Caterer and Cake/Desserts: Bella Bru
Flowers: Elegant Events by Marie
Bridal and Bridesmaids’ Attire: Enchanted Bridal Shoppe
Flowergirl Attire: Etsy
Hair: Tina Romo from Alchemy Salon
Make-up: Shana Beals Makeup Artistry and Skin Studio
Invitations: Etsy
Signage: DIY
DJ/Entertainment/Band: DJ JB
Linen Rentals: Celebrations! Party Rentals & Tents
Honeymoon Location: Wailea, Maui
First Dance Song: “First, Last, Everything” by Joshua Radin
Father/Daughter Dance Song: “Daddy Dance With Me” by Krystal Keith
Mother/Son Dance Song: “Song for Mama” by Boys II Men
Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? Have fun! It doesn’t have to be stressful and it doesn’t need to break the bank. It could have poured rain, the caterer could have cancelled, and we could have had to order pizza… but at the end of the day we’d still get to marry our soulmate and that’s all that matters. Things are going to go wrong but you just have to throw your hands up and enjoy the ride.
Choose a venue that doesn’t require a lot of decorating or additional work. It will save you a ton of headaches and hours spent Pinterest-ing and DIY-ing. The day of your wedding you don’t want to be worried that everything made it there and is set up properly.
And hire a day-of planner/point person. Luckily we were friends with Joe Wilson (party planner extraordinaire) who kindly gifted his services for the wedding day. He was the best gift I never knew I needed. I wasn’t bothered with a single detail or problem that day and he executed my vision even better than I could have. He kept the flow of the wedding going smoothly, organized the vendors, and thought of every single detail like packing appetizers and champagne in our limo since he knew we hadn’t had time to eat much.
Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? I probably would have listened to the photographer and done a “first look”. We really wanted the special moment of seeing each other for the first time at the end of the aisle. And while it was special, we had to fit all our pictures into the cocktail hour which goes by really quickly and we didn’t have much time to mingle with our guests.
Also, take your time trying on dresses. I had three different appointments and felt like I should know by then. But in retrospect, I wish I would have tried on a ton more! This is (hopefully!) the only time in your life you get to so enjoy it
Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.
Photos courtesy of and copyright Weddings by Scott and Dana.
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