Lady Liberty Events describes this sweet duo’s love as “fun, hilarious, exciting and best friend forever kind of love.” And their wedding? Well, it’s a perfect extension of that energetic love that they share. From moments like this that will make you grin to giant balloons to adorable kisses with pup in tow, there’s so much to love about this day captured by Braedon Photography. See it all here!
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From Liberty Woodman of Lady Liberty Events…Candace and Mike, These two…. The love they have for each is other is that fun, hilarious, exciting and best friend forever kind of love. They weren’t frou frou fancy, traditional by any means, and frowned at the thought of anything that was cookie cutter. Simply put, they wanted a day that reflected both of their personalities that would be laid back with the perfect touch of elegance and would result in a kick-ass celebration that their friends and family would never forget.
We came to an overall event vibe that we called “rustic bohemian romance”… that ultimately would end up as a rave! With our style in place it was time to start nailing the details.
Ready for the ceremony to commence, guests were seated facing the weeping pepper tree where the existing twig canopy was accented with flowing fabric, romantic greenery, and a petite chandelier in the center. While the wedding party was just about done lining up and we were ready to cue the music, I noticed that the groom was sitting in the audience chumming it up with his friends! With a quick tap on the shoulder and a good laugh, Mike made his way up to prepare himself for what he will always remember as the most special part of their big day.
Since the ceremony lawn was vast, we used antique cottage doors flanked with bushes of wild lavender and garden roses to create a reveal. The front of the doors were accented with their initials, M & C, made with fresh antique hydrangea blooms. This provided a romantic entrance for the wedding party and bride, which also allowed us to shave more than 100ft from the aisle!
The ceremony was officiated by one the grooms childhood friends and was by far one of the most touching, personal, and funny ceremonies that I have had the privilege to witness. The bride and groom tied together the strings of two huge peach balloons (representing unity) and released them to signify the unknown adventures that they would embark on together.
During the cocktail hour, guests sipped on specialty cocktails such as spiked lavender lemonade, nibbled on tasty miniatures of Mike & Candace’s favorite guilty pleasures, and helped themselves to bottled beer casually chilling in vintage wooden tubs. The guest book area consisted of small note papers for quests to write letters to the bride and groom that they would read on their 6 month, 1 year, and/or 5 year anniversary. This table also displayed Glassy sunglasses that the groom had custom made which donned their wedding monogram. A large, old school, white boom box, was displayed for guests to “tag“. A hand painted wooden sign that read Mutual weirdness forever, sat under one of the venues gorgeous oak trees, where a trio of large hoops were hung flaunting the guests escort cards.
Candace loves dream catchers so we wanted to incorporate these in a way that would still create a timeless look without being something that would go out of style or feel dated when they looked back on their day. We hand made a plethora of multi sized dream catchers using vintage lace for the centers with hues of grey, purple, gold, and ivory incorporated into the ribbons, lace and feathers. Utilizing some super cool yarn that we found, which had hints of metallic gold and dark purple threads, these babies were going to have to be placed somewhere special to make a statement. We decided that an installation that hung only over the head table would create a unique and stunning way to highlight the bride and grooms table. With bistro lights strewn over the dinner area, accented with hanging crystal votives, the dream catchers added the ultimate boho touch to the romantic rustic dinner setting.
The dinner tables were a combination of raw and reclaimed wood square and kings tables all topped with a smoky purple runner. The bride and groom weren’t fond of having all round tables, so we integrated a just a few of them to offset the unique layout and to bring in a touch more of the purple color which was one of the grooms favorite hues. A grey linen napkin tied with a raw silk eggplant ribbon showcasing each guests’ name, and accented with fresh rosemary sprigs, were placed at each setting. Folded over brown paper bags replaced your standard breadbaskets, and purple tinted glassware added the finishing touch to the setting, keeping it simple yet charming. Gorgeous arrangements of horticulture styled blooms in hues of purple, peach, pops of raspberry, and forest style foliage created an overall lush yet naturalistic flair to each table. Silver mercury candles added a lovely glisten that helped us to create the overall rustic and romantic atmosphere that the bride and groom were wanting to exude.
After dinner, guests made their way to the dance floor, which was set within 4 lush oak trees all dripping in fairly lights. A collection of crystal chandeliers, were dispersed overhead creating a romantic and stunning glow to the entire space. As Mike and Candace stepped onto the dance floor to begin their first dance, guests circled around watching as they danced together for the first time as husband and wife. To everyone’s surprise the music stopped abruptly, and the bride and groom separated from one another only to catch the LED hula hoops that were thrown their way. The music resumed, however it was a techno tune that was worthy of the most epic and hilarious hula hoop battle between a bride and groom. Guests anxiously rushed the dance floor where everyone received large glow batons that quickly changed the romantic evening into a stellar party that one will never forget!
Surrounding the dance floor were multiple lounge vignettes with assorted vintage pieces providing unique seating areas for guests to relax their feet. As the evening was sadly coming to a close, and guests had sipped on plenty of specialty cocktails, a handsome gold bar cart strolled around the reception refueling guests with truffle popcorn displayed in petite brown bags stamped with the couples monogram, along with fresh mini donuts.
At one point, my team and I literally stepped back so that we could see the entire event in full throttle… and the view from which we were standing was exquisite. The hundreds of hanging fairly lights, the glisten from all of the chandeliers, the reflection from the bistro lights, and the blinking led lights moving around the dance floor was one of my favorite moments that I know can never be replicated. This bride and groom, who I am fortunate enough to call my friends, know what a celebration should consist of.
Photography: Sarah Joelle Photography | Photography: Braedon Photography | Cinematographer: Brinton Film Making Co. | Florist: Moon Canyon | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Contemporary Catering and Event Production | Bride Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Cake & Desserts : Sweet & Saucy Shop | Ceremony & Reception Music: DJ Grant Shapiro | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Saddlerock Ranch | Event Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Event Rentals: Town And Country | Groom & Groomsmen Shoes: Lakai Footwear | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Printed Goods/Stationary : Prim & Pixie | Venues: Crane Beach | Wedding Design/Coordination: Lady Liberty Events | Wedding Invitation : Minted