Shabby Chic Balboa Yacht Club Wedding
With Christie Rose Events, Diane Pfaff, and Pottery Barn behind the design of this California wedding, it's no surprise that it's an instant favorite. Aside from the stunning design though, this is just one of those weddings that you can feel the love and warmth emanating from every one of Chaz Cruz Photography's images.
From the beautiful bride... Kristin and Phil met in 7th grade at Ensign Middle School. They sat next to each other in Ms. Everhart’s math class and were in PE together as well. From there they both attended Newport Harbor High School where Kristin played field hockey and Phil played tennis. Although they never dated, they did have an eye on each other. After graduation, Phil attended the University of Arizona and Kristin went to the University of California, San Diego.
After college, Kristin taught a Turbo Kick Boxing class at the Balboa Bay Club. Kristin was walking to class one evening when she ran into Phil and some of his friends at the top of the stairs. Phil got her number and that was that. They made it official in June 2009 over wine and a cannoli at Roman Cucina.
It was a casual Saturday, with no plans at all. Phil went to play ‘golf’ with his friend Elliot and Kristin went to lunch with her girlfriend Erin (Erin and Elliot were Kristin and Phil’s Maid of Honor and Best Man and are now engaged). When the boys got back from golf, Elliot and Erin told Kristin they had to do errands and Phil wanted Kristin to come home. She thought it was a little strange that everyone got busy all of a sudden, but thought nothing of. That afternoon Phil and Kristin went to the Field of Honor at Castaway Park; where over 1,500 American flags on 8 foot poles fly in honor of all military, law enforcement, fire and first responder men and women. As they approached the sea of American flags, they stopped to take a photo in front of Phil’s dad’s tree; the photographer asked them ‘Are you going that way?’ Kristin replied ‘Yes.’ Kristin walked away perplexed by the woman’s random question. As they walked through the soaring flags they came to the point, which overlooked the entire harbor where there was a romantic, beautiful picnic set up. Phil started to walk toward the picnic; Kristin thought he was being silly and tugged him the other direction, worried the proposal picnic owners were close by and would see them on their picnic. Phil noticed her frazzlement and in the mist of it all dropped to one knee. When he asked her the single question ‘Will you marry me?’ she replied with an ‘I do.’ After he proposed and put a ring on it, out of the corner of her eye Kristin thought she recognized one of the spectators. It was Elliot hiding behind a flag, camouflaged as an American Veteran snapping photos of the whole thing… priceless!
Kristin and her bridesmaids got ready at her parents’ house in Newport Beach where the girls got their hair and makeup done and prepped for the big day. Kristin’s bridesmaids all wore different black cocktail dresses, vintage inspired jewelry, and hair all pinned up. Their bouquets included peonies, hydrangeas, and ranunculus, and were wrapped with curly willow from Kristin’s aunt’s garden. Phil and his groomsmen got ready at the Balboa Bay Club where they steamed, jacuzzied, and watched some football before the night to come. It seemed appropriate to capture the first look at the Balboa Bay Club on the top of the stairs where Kristin and Phil reunited four years prior. Chaz Cruz Photographer captured the moment perfectly; his photos conveyed the true love Kristin and Phil have for each other and genuineness of the moment. From there, they continued on to the Balboa Yacht Club to photograph with their bridal party and get hitched.
Although it was at a Yacht Club, Kristin did not want to have a typical nautical wedding. Her vision was inspired by a vintage, rustic garden party. She wanted simple yet eclectic décor. Her mom and she spent multiple Sundays walking vintage flea markets for inspiration and décor. If she didn’t see exactly what she wanted, she would come home and tell her dad her vision, and he would figure out a way to create it. She called her dad her ‘Wedding Contractor’. He not only designed and printed her invitations, he also constructed coffee tables from reclaimed fence; refurbished old pews; designed and crafted arrow signs to direct guests to the ceremony; created table numbers and dessert and candy bar menus; personalized the ring bearer box; and more.
Kristin loves Pottery Barn’s décor, furniture, and styling, so who better to have design the venue than Pottery Barn themselves. Pottery Barn executed Kristin and Phil’s vision perfectly. They brought in Pottery Barn furnishings and mixed them with Kristin’s vintage pieces as well as the furniture her dad created. Pottery Barn designed a gorgeous ceremony and beautiful reception; it was truly memorable.
As guests arrived, they were guided to the outdoor ceremony which was held on the veranda overlooking the harbor. They were greeted with lemonade and water. The welcome table included a window full of love and history. There was a collogue of picture frames which included photos of Kristin and Phil as children, their parents wedding photos as well as their grandparents wedding photos. Their guest book rested in front of the window for guests to sign, as well as a basket of personalized sunglasses for guests to wear with a sign saying, ‘Don’t be blinded by our LOVE.’ The arbor was constructed from ladders and draped with burlap and flowers. The aisle was run with burlap and flower petals with hanging mason jars with hydrangeas along the chairs. It looked magical.
The reception was held upstairs in the main dining room which had a 180 degree view of the harbor. Guests’ table assignments were displayed on an old bay window upon entrance into the dining room. Each table was unique. The tables were run with burlap and decorated with a variety of vintage bottles, mercury votives, wood and mercury pillar candlesticks, lemons, sprigs of flowers, lanterns, and vintage silver pitchers. One side of the venue had more of a lounge feel; set up with cocktail tables and barstools, vintage pews, coffee tables, benches, and a sofa on the patio. The other side had various size and shape tables for friends and family. The bridal party made their grand entrance through the patio and made their way right to the dance floor where Kristin and Phil had their first dance. They danced to Ray LaMontagne ‘You are the Best Thing’. Although many people thought their first dance was choreographed; it was 100% original and in the moment. For dinner they had a Mexican, pasta, and carving station to appease all their guests. The menu included chicken and carne asada tacos, rice pilaf and homemade tortilla chips; macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, and chicken parmesan; and NY Strip Loin, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. As evident in their first dance, Kristin and Phil love to dance and were on the dance floor for a majority of the night. The dessert bar was presented with vintage suitcases and tiered cake plates to display the variety of desserts. The bride and groom had a vanilla, caramel swirl rustic cake topped with their initials. The menu also included four flavors of mini cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, mini key lime pies, and mini chocolate salted caramel macarons. Everything was delicious! The bride and groom also had a candy bar full of the couple’s favorite sweets for guests to enjoy at the wedding or take a goody bag home for later. The night ended on the dance floor with all the newlywed’s friends and family singing Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. The day was perfect; it was truly a fairytale wedding.
After college, Kristin taught a Turbo Kick Boxing class at the Balboa Bay Club. Kristin was walking to class one evening when she ran into Phil and some of his friends at the top of the stairs. Phil got her number and that was that. They made it official in June 2009 over wine and a cannoli at Roman Cucina.
It was a casual Saturday, with no plans at all. Phil went to play ‘golf’ with his friend Elliot and Kristin went to lunch with her girlfriend Erin (Erin and Elliot were Kristin and Phil’s Maid of Honor and Best Man and are now engaged). When the boys got back from golf, Elliot and Erin told Kristin they had to do errands and Phil wanted Kristin to come home. She thought it was a little strange that everyone got busy all of a sudden, but thought nothing of. That afternoon Phil and Kristin went to the Field of Honor at Castaway Park; where over 1,500 American flags on 8 foot poles fly in honor of all military, law enforcement, fire and first responder men and women. As they approached the sea of American flags, they stopped to take a photo in front of Phil’s dad’s tree; the photographer asked them ‘Are you going that way?’ Kristin replied ‘Yes.’ Kristin walked away perplexed by the woman’s random question. As they walked through the soaring flags they came to the point, which overlooked the entire harbor where there was a romantic, beautiful picnic set up. Phil started to walk toward the picnic; Kristin thought he was being silly and tugged him the other direction, worried the proposal picnic owners were close by and would see them on their picnic. Phil noticed her frazzlement and in the mist of it all dropped to one knee. When he asked her the single question ‘Will you marry me?’ she replied with an ‘I do.’ After he proposed and put a ring on it, out of the corner of her eye Kristin thought she recognized one of the spectators. It was Elliot hiding behind a flag, camouflaged as an American Veteran snapping photos of the whole thing… priceless!
Kristin and her bridesmaids got ready at her parents’ house in Newport Beach where the girls got their hair and makeup done and prepped for the big day. Kristin’s bridesmaids all wore different black cocktail dresses, vintage inspired jewelry, and hair all pinned up. Their bouquets included peonies, hydrangeas, and ranunculus, and were wrapped with curly willow from Kristin’s aunt’s garden. Phil and his groomsmen got ready at the Balboa Bay Club where they steamed, jacuzzied, and watched some football before the night to come. It seemed appropriate to capture the first look at the Balboa Bay Club on the top of the stairs where Kristin and Phil reunited four years prior. Chaz Cruz Photographer captured the moment perfectly; his photos conveyed the true love Kristin and Phil have for each other and genuineness of the moment. From there, they continued on to the Balboa Yacht Club to photograph with their bridal party and get hitched.
Although it was at a Yacht Club, Kristin did not want to have a typical nautical wedding. Her vision was inspired by a vintage, rustic garden party. She wanted simple yet eclectic décor. Her mom and she spent multiple Sundays walking vintage flea markets for inspiration and décor. If she didn’t see exactly what she wanted, she would come home and tell her dad her vision, and he would figure out a way to create it. She called her dad her ‘Wedding Contractor’. He not only designed and printed her invitations, he also constructed coffee tables from reclaimed fence; refurbished old pews; designed and crafted arrow signs to direct guests to the ceremony; created table numbers and dessert and candy bar menus; personalized the ring bearer box; and more.
Kristin loves Pottery Barn’s décor, furniture, and styling, so who better to have design the venue than Pottery Barn themselves. Pottery Barn executed Kristin and Phil’s vision perfectly. They brought in Pottery Barn furnishings and mixed them with Kristin’s vintage pieces as well as the furniture her dad created. Pottery Barn designed a gorgeous ceremony and beautiful reception; it was truly memorable.
As guests arrived, they were guided to the outdoor ceremony which was held on the veranda overlooking the harbor. They were greeted with lemonade and water. The welcome table included a window full of love and history. There was a collogue of picture frames which included photos of Kristin and Phil as children, their parents wedding photos as well as their grandparents wedding photos. Their guest book rested in front of the window for guests to sign, as well as a basket of personalized sunglasses for guests to wear with a sign saying, ‘Don’t be blinded by our LOVE.’ The arbor was constructed from ladders and draped with burlap and flowers. The aisle was run with burlap and flower petals with hanging mason jars with hydrangeas along the chairs. It looked magical.
The reception was held upstairs in the main dining room which had a 180 degree view of the harbor. Guests’ table assignments were displayed on an old bay window upon entrance into the dining room. Each table was unique. The tables were run with burlap and decorated with a variety of vintage bottles, mercury votives, wood and mercury pillar candlesticks, lemons, sprigs of flowers, lanterns, and vintage silver pitchers. One side of the venue had more of a lounge feel; set up with cocktail tables and barstools, vintage pews, coffee tables, benches, and a sofa on the patio. The other side had various size and shape tables for friends and family. The bridal party made their grand entrance through the patio and made their way right to the dance floor where Kristin and Phil had their first dance. They danced to Ray LaMontagne ‘You are the Best Thing’. Although many people thought their first dance was choreographed; it was 100% original and in the moment. For dinner they had a Mexican, pasta, and carving station to appease all their guests. The menu included chicken and carne asada tacos, rice pilaf and homemade tortilla chips; macaroni and cheese, Caesar salad, and chicken parmesan; and NY Strip Loin, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. As evident in their first dance, Kristin and Phil love to dance and were on the dance floor for a majority of the night. The dessert bar was presented with vintage suitcases and tiered cake plates to display the variety of desserts. The bride and groom had a vanilla, caramel swirl rustic cake topped with their initials. The menu also included four flavors of mini cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, mini key lime pies, and mini chocolate salted caramel macarons. Everything was delicious! The bride and groom also had a candy bar full of the couple’s favorite sweets for guests to enjoy at the wedding or take a goody bag home for later. The night ended on the dance floor with all the newlywed’s friends and family singing Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’. The day was perfect; it was truly a fairytale wedding.