It is not too often that we reserve an entire day for one wedding but with a Jose Villa number like this, we’re almost tempted to reserve a whole week. Instead, we are kicking back and letting the gorgeous images do all the work while visions of the perfect wedding re-dos dance in our heads. And these nuptials of photography talent KT Merry are all out romance. Ohhhh, the romance. We are literally eating it up one beautiful detail at a time. And for all of you brides to be who are dying to borrow the gorgeous details from this affair, we haven’t left you hanging. We have a buying guide coming up next filled with tons of steal-worthy bits. And don’t forget, even more can be found right here! Click here to see Part I.
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Our ceremony location was all about natural beauty with huge pines overlooking Lake Tahoe. We had a large military presence at our wedding with my dad being a decorated Naval Captain. He wore his traditional dress whites (sword and all) to escort me down the aisle. Our ceremony site, was decorated by a symbolic circle of white rose petals with the guest chairs in two semicircles surrounding. The ceremony was given by a close friend of my fathers known as ‘Badger’ who is revered as the best fighter pilot living today. He closed our ceremony with ‘by the power vested in me as fighter pilot…’. I also attached my Dad’s bronze star he was awarded from his service in Iraq to the base of my bouquet.
From the ceremony, our guests were shuttled down the mountain to the valley where I grew up. In the foothills lies a 500 acre ranch owned my one of my dearest friends and bridesmaid. The ranch has a small farm house with a fenced yard where we served cocktails before the reception. Later, guests were seated at long wooden king’s tables for an outdoor reception in front of a 100+ year old barn decorated with chandeliers and a moss set of letters making our initials.
Family and friends played a huge role in the decor of the wedding. My bridesmaid Nicole created the runners for all the tables, my Aunt Terry created the signs that pointed to horseshoes, dancing and cocktails, my cousin Sara found antique chandeliers, and old doors that created tables over wine barrels. I also asked several members of our families prior to the wedding to locate vintage plates in their area and they served at the plates for our table settings, each unique and decorated with a fresh gardenia. I personally found all the mercury glass that we used and my mother hand crafted framed chalk boards that we used for the menu and signature drinks signs. She and a friend also created a pair of wooden swings that were decorated with flowers and were hung in the cocktail location.
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Wedding Photography: Jose Villa / Wedding Ceremony Venue: Regan Beach, South Lake Tahoe / Wedding Reception Venue: Willow Stay Ranch, Private Residence / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang via Ever After / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Jewelry: Maria Elena via Ever After / Bridal Kimono: Custom by Plum Pretty Sugar / Garter: Custom by Florrie Mitton Couture / Bridesmaid Dresses: Vera Wang via Boca Raton Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Ermenegildo Zegna / Catering: Bella Vita Catering / Wedding Cake: The Cork & More / Cupcakes: Russell’s Mercantile / Wine: Ironstone Vineyards / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals Sacramento + The Entertainer + Genoa Tree Farm / Flowers: Art in Bloom / Wedding Ceremony Music: Avalanche Music / Wedding Reception Music: Jeff Campbell Music / Linens: Custom by Sewin’ Oats / Wedding Invitations: Kari Dyas / Invitation Calligraphy: Hilary Williams / Seating Chart Calligraphy: Sally Jose (brownhorse.1@netzero.net) / Hair: Acqua Hair Design / Welcome Bags: Proforma Albrecht & Co. / Parasols: Luna Bazaar / Welcome Cruise: The Tahoe Queen via Zephyr Cove Resort & Lake Tahoe Cruises / Film Work: Richard Photo