B R I T T A N Y + C H R I S T O P H E R
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but does it also harbour true love’s first bloom? It’s certainly the case for Brittany and Christopher, who first met while both working at a grocery store during their college jobs. The pair were wed at a picturesque hillside venue in San Diego, California.
F R O M T H E B R I D E
We first met…
Chris and I met during our college jobs. We were both working at Albertson’s, a local grocery store. Chris worked in the bakery, and I worked as a cashier in the front. Turns out, we actually went to the same middle and high school, but hadn’t met one another during our school days! (It probably worked out better that way!) The cutest part? Several of our wedding guests are also now married “Albies Couples,” as we all now call ourselves.
We knew it was love…
We knew that it was love because we could be so true about the best and worst parts of one another. We were almost inseparable from the beginning, yet remained so strongly individual. We built an amazing partnership and support system from the start. We truly love and respect who we each are at our core, as well as who we each strive to grow into every day–and that is lasting.
The proposal…
We got engaged at one of my favorite historic parks in San Diego: Heritage Park. It was just us two after dinner: under a lamppost and in front of a huge tree. Heritage Park is located in Old Town, San Diego, and is filled with beautiful, classic Victorian houses from the 1800’s. They’re set in two rows bordering a brick pathway leading to an open green lawn and gorgeous old tree. I remember visiting the park as a kid and feeling that it was absolutely magical! I never forgot that feeling of wonder, and, though we’d only been there together once, Chris remembered the mark it always left on me and chose to ask me there. (I could totally tell when it was coming! He seemed a bit nervous…)
T H E W E D D I N G
Our photographer..
Our photographer was an amazing gal named, Cavin Elizabeth! The second we saw her photos we were in love. She captures not only the beauty and glamour, but the candid vitality behind such a day: the laughs and big smiles, hugs and tears–all of the memories that you remember from your heart and never want to forget. I feel like she somehow captured every big or touching micro-moment that we experienced that day–the second that Chris and I took together after walking down the aisle, a tear with a bridesmaid and a handful of other special moments with our family and friends. The fact that she was there, and inconspicuously there–now that’s pretty spectacular!
Dream wedding style…
The second you step into our home, you’ll see we’re a bit of a mix of styles: we like history and modern feels, rustic and glamour touches–it’s fun! So when it came to our wedding, we wanted our guests to feel the love and warmth of the day, and never once feel like they couldn’t be themselves. We opted for a natural, romantic and intimate wedding that fits our love for farm-to-table atmospheres and effortless style. We approached the day as as if we were just having all of our guests over for a fancy dinner party, and kept the emphasis on the people and the laughter. We kept thinking: good food, good conversation and good people! I wouldn’t say we had a set theme, except that it was a touch rustic, a touch whimsical, and very classic and romantic. Our food was engaging (sliders, mason jar salads, and dress-your-own mac ‘n’ cheese!). Our decor had pops of whimsy and glamour with giant balloons and copper and rose gold pairings. We wanted each guest to know how important they were to us individually, and wrote handwritten notes to all 45 that we tucked away in scroll-style, calligraphy-noted envelopes and placed at each seat as a ‘placecard’. We kept the flower arrangements simple: all clear glass vases and champagne glasses, with lush pinks and creams. We also added touches of history (true to the venue) with framed quotes scattered around from F. Scott Fitzergerald, E.E. Cummings and Julia Child. We kept it light, too: we even quoted Dr. Seuss in our ceremony!
The ceremony…
We held the ceremony at the Martin Johnson House in La Jolla (San Diego, California). The Martin Johnson House is a historic cottage — a leading oceanographer who worked at the Scripps Oceanography Institute nearby once lived in it. It’s a hidden cliffside venue overlooking the ocean with two wooden decks and an indoor cottage, covered by huge Dr. Seuss-esque trees!
The reception…
Where did you celebrate your reception? Same venue. It had everything we wanted: grass, trees, an intimate deck, a warm cottage and an amazing view! The sunset for our wedding day was absolutely fabulous!
The bridal party…
My bridal party was filled with very amazing, beautiful women who I know will be in my life forever. My friends and new sister-in-law have been there with me through many stages of life (some since middle school!) and have also seen Chris and I grow together through good times and bad times. I’ve stood next to three of them at their own weddings as well, and have watched their families grow. Some of which was represented at our wedding: we had a very pregnant Mindy as well as her husband stand by us both at the ceremony… and the little son of my bridesmaid, Jaime, as our ring bearer.
Chris and his two best friends since middle school are like the Three Musketeers, and Jack and my brother are also just as important to him. Having all of our very best friends and family by us was so important.
Bridesmaids dresses…
They wore a mix of pink/nude/rose gold dresses, in theme with the wedding colours. Each girl chose a dress that fit her style and personality and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! For me, it was all about each girl feeling their best while bringing a sense of texture to the wedding day — and it totally worked out!
The groomsmen’s suits…
The groomsmen were in simple, standout grey tux/suits with grey bowties from Friars Tux Shop.
The groom wore…
The groom was in a dusky navy suit/tux, also from Friars Tux Shop, with a light pink bowtie to match the girls. He looked like prince-charming!
Bride’s gown…
I wore a Watters dress. It was a mermaid-style mix of creamy lace and organza layers, and was absolutely beautiful. I felt amazing in it! It was the perfect mix of romantic and sexy for my style and the day. The second I tried it on I knew it was it (as did one of my bridesmaids!), because I pictured my groom and gals beside me and couldn’t take it off. I’ve heard that they say the dress sets the wedding, and now I believe it! Not to mention, I don’t think Chris was opposed to the fit.
The flowers…
Our flowers were limited to soft, lush pinks, creams and whites. I love ranunculus, peonies and garden roses, and only wanted to include such romantic flowers. We also used fillers like astilbe to make them feel a bit more wild and lush.
Reception decorations…
We decorated the reception with class and romance in mind. Again, we wanted to present a nice dinner table setting, and bring in some warmth with simplicity: Our tablecloths were a bold navy, lined along the centre, with simple glass milk-vases and 20’s style champagne goblets. Each vase was filled with a few simple stems; each goblet was filled with a single lush garden rose. We scattered the area with rose gold candle votives, copper candlesticks, rose-gold framed calligraphy quotes and whimsical directives (my favorite: “Cheers” written in several languages placed at the bar!). The huge balloons kept blowing in the wind, and with the trees and enclosing the deck, I truly felt like I was sitting in a modern fairytale.
Bombonniere…
Our seating coasters, which were placed per clothesline clip along the vintage windows, had each of our guests’ names handwritten in calligraphy. Each guest also received a handwritten note — which we felt was more special than any gift.
Memorable moments…
Oh my goodness—so many! Our maids-of-honor/best-man speeches were so touching! Also, I had read that the groom and bride should take a moment to themselves immediately after the ceremony, and I don’t think Chris and I will ever forget the moment after we walked down that aisle and stopped ahead before continuing on to take photos: We stepped back to glance at one another and took a quick moment to take it all in, whisper a few sweet nothings and lean in for another kiss.
Also, my grandmother, who is in her early 80’s, was dancing on the dance floor with all of us—like a rockstar! My brother, a DJ himself, took over the turntables for a moment… I also remember as my Dad and I were dancing during the Father-Daughter dance, a sliver of sunshine finally peaked through the sky and he pointed it out to me. The sunset by the beach was also beautiful that night–we had some crazy luck! It was recurring things like that all night… crazy-perfect moments. (And of course, less-perfect funny moments, like the fact that Chris kept stepping on my dress and breaking my bustle!)
Wedding soundtrack…
Chris loves classic rock and I like indie-folk. So the day had a mix of both — plus some dance music (and, of course, the electric slide!). We had everything, from Grease to 80s dance music! Our DJ was amazing! We started the ceremony with an acoustic cover of Queen’s Somebody to Love. The bridesmaids walked to an acoustic version of Led Zeppelin’s Going to California, and I walked with my dad to a piano version of Train’s, Marry Me.
M A R R I E D L I F E
The honeymoon…
We honeymooned in Belize, on a beautiful island off the coast called Thatch Caye. We’ll never forget it, and will definitely head back—it was amazing! We took a few adventure excursions and also made sure to take time to relax after all of that plannig. The people in Belize were fabulous, and we also met some amazing couples from the States who had also just gotten married.
The future…
Chris and I are pretty big dreamers, learners and believers in the fact that anything is possible. We’re constantly working to become our best ‘selves as we try to enjoy everything life has to offer. Since the wedding, we’ve both progressed our careers in very big ways, and feel that our love only helps support one another in taking big steps like this. We plan to have a family to pass along these strong values someday, too. Our ultimate goal: to enjoy the people in our lives, and to continue to love big!
In 40 years we hope to…
Oh wow — have amazing career successes, loving lives and awonderful, healthy family. We want to travel near and far too! Maybe make our way to Australia sooner rather than later!
In 40 years we hope to…
Oh wow — have amazing career successes, loving lives and a beautiful family. We want to travel near and far too! Maybe make our way to Australia sooner rather than later!
W O R D S O F W I S D O M
How to enjoy…
The engagement
Don’t worry about jumping into anything — take your time! Enjoy it! It’s a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime moment that seems long, but, like anything else, is fleeting!
Plan the wedding
Remember what it’s truly about. It can get extremely tough with everyone’s opinions, questions, thoughts, etc! Just stay true to your vision, and realise that, though it’s a big day, it’s your day. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime day. It sounds so cliché, but you’ll want it to reflect you and your relationship. Just stay organised. And make decisions — it makes things a whole lot easier.
The big day
ENJOY IT! Let go, laugh, smile! Appreciate every single guest’s presence and every single moment. It’s true what they say, after all of the planning is said and done, just be in the moment. Be SO in the moment.
Photography Cavin Elizabeth Photography Venue Martin Johnson House Coordination & Planning Bride and Groom Hair and Makeup Johnny Wynn Gown Watters Catering Continental Catering Cake The Grove Music SGM Events Groom’s Attire Friar Tux Shop Day of coordination & floral design LuxeDesign Events Cake The Grove Bakery