Every time a submission from Closer to Love Photography lands in our inbox, whether it be a sweet engagement session or a fabulous wedding, we know for a fact that we will not be disappointed and this Richard Nixon Library wedding just made me love Closer to Love Photography even more. Every single image is just superb and we wouldn't expect anything less from this husband and wife team.
From the bride: My wedding day was indeed a fairytale, dream come true. Jason and I started out as best friends in high school as I desperately tried to set him up with all my friends because I truly thought he was just the most incredible guy. For all the millions of reasons I used to convince my friends to date Jason, I soon realized these were the very things I was looking for in a man and I was quickly falling for him. After tons of high school dances and falling more in love while attending the same college for four years, Jason proposed a chilly December night in Dana Point Harbor where had our very first date 5 years ago.
I truly couldn't imagine how to plan a wedding that would reflect the love I had for this man. All I knew is I wanted people to be able to have a glimpse into our story and be inspired by our love. When picking a wedding venue, I had two requests, an outdoor ceremony and an elegant reception with tons of dancing. Where was I going to find both of those things?
I stumbled upon The Richard Nixon Library and told my mother that it was the most the beautiful wedding venue I had ever seen. My dad called me his little Princess for as I long as I can remember and I always dreamed of our Father Daughter Dance in a big beautiful ballroom. The Nixon ballroom was everything I had dreamed of and more! With the over sized chandlers, gold chairs, and gigantic glass windows overlooking the beautiful garden, I couldn't have asked for more. I loved how this location took you far away from Orange County and transported you to the beautiful grounds of a Presidential home. I was able to have the outdoor ceremony in a gorgeous garden and then walk down a flight of stairs into a castle-like-ballroom. It was simply a dream.
After picking a venue, Tracy Irish from Can't Say I Do Without you, helped me make sure every single piece of our wedding would reflect both Jason and me. Jason proposed with my favorite Sprinkles cupcakes so I immediately knew I wanted everyone at the wedding to be able to have these very same cupcakes at our wedding. I also knew I wanted a wooden cross to be behind us as I said I do to Jason but also to my Savior Jesus Christ and the commitment we were making that day. The beautiful cross, the bible quest book where quests highlighted an inspiring verse to help us in our marriage, the pictures of my parents and his parents on their wedding day, my mother's dress wrapped around my bouquet, and wearing the stunning blue ring my grandmother gave me when she passed away, all were details that made this wedding unique and special to me and Jason. Every little dream I ever had fell into place over an 8 month engagement and I couldn't have done it without the genius Tracey Irish. *Video of my proposal with the Sprinkles cupcakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRsl6063PcY
One of the highlights of the wedding was a surprise dance from my new husband and his groomsmen. Jason cannot keep secrets from me and his groomsmen are no dancers whatsoever but they pulled off the biggest surprise of the night with a 4 minute long dance choreographed by my maid of honor. No one knew it was coming, and I have never felt so loved by my husband's friends who practiced for hours just to surprise me that day!
Another moment was not pictured, nor can it be really. It was just a simple moment where I looked at Jason and he looked at me, he squeezed my hand and told me to look around the room. Everyone in that room was there to celebrate us, not just my life or Jason's but both our lives coming together as one. They were all there for us, telling us we were special to them, that they supported our relationship, and most of all would be there for us for the rest of our lives. Nothing can replace that moment and I will never forget this very special day.
Wedding planning advice: Lastly my advice for other brides, IT IS WORTH IT. Spending hours on details, addressing invitations, spending hours on Pinterest, calculating your budget over and over again can be exhausting. But nothing can replace this day. All your friends and family are there celebrating you and your new husband at this once in a lifetime event! Take a deep breath, cherish this time of engagement with your love and dive back into that wedding planning. Make it your own day, share your story, share your love, find unique ways to make your dreams a reality and it will be worth it all.
Vendors: Photographer: Closer to Love Photography | Venue: Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA | Catering: White House Catering | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Bridal Boutique: The Wedding Day | Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom | Florals: Magnolia Design | Hair & Make-up: Beauty and the Beach | Cupcakes: Sprinkles | Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth | Event Planning: Can't Say I Do Without You | DJ: Visions Entertainment | Video: Zomei Film Stories
WE RECOMMEND: