“We got married on the hottest day on record. Not kidding.” When your wedding day unexpectedly presents you with 113°F+ temps, most couples would panic. This bride and groom, however, stayed calm, cool, and collected with the help of Alluring Events + Design. Cool down towels, Bliss Pops, fans, and some creative timeline adjustment kept guests comfortable and allowed everyone to enjoy the incredibly beautiful day, photographed by Arnau Dubois Photography.
From the Bride… Sawyer and I had been dating for 5 years when he proposed. We were living in New York City at the time, and Sawyer planned a trip to Newfoundland where we would road trip around the island. We started our trip in Gros Morne National Park. On the second day, we ventured on a long hike to a beach. When we finally made it to the beach, it had started to drizzle, causing everyone else to head home. I had packed some pb&j sandwiches, so I sat on a rock to have a snack. Meanwhile, Sawyer had disappeared to explore the surroundings. He eventually returned and abruptly told me we should walk down the beach. Once we got near the end of the beach, Sawyer suddenly got on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was such a special moment, just the two of us on a random beach in Newfoundland. I then realized we had a long hike back. At least this time I had a shiny piece of jewelry to distract me.
A year after getting engaged, we moved back to the city where we met – San Francisco. I knew I wanted my wedding to feel like an intimate dinner party in someone’s backyard. However, we did not know what kind of venue. We stumbled across Beltane Ranch while looking at other venues in wine country and instantly fell in love with its charm, views of the valley, and old oak trees.
We got married on the hottest day on record. Not kidding. The week before, the forecast said mid-80s. I had even rented heaters because I was told it would get cold at night. An unexpected heatwave caused us to scramble only a few days before the wedding. With a high of 113 degrees, I googled all hot weather remedies. I booked Bliss Pops to hand out popsicles to guests as they arrived. We provided cool down towels to put around your neck and fans for guests. The morning of the wedding, the venue agreed to allow us to push our wedding back an hour to get some relief from the heat. I am so thankful for my coordinator and vendors who had no problem with the timeline changed. Everything was executed flawlessly, making the heat a distant worry.
There were so many special moments throughout the day. Before all the guests arrived, we did a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony with close family members. I wore my grandmother’s kua, which was very special. One of my most favorite moments was when Sawyer recited his vows. I have only ever see Sawyer cry once in our 8 years together. To see him break down was truly touching and unexpected. There was not a dry eye in the place. Other moments that stand out are when my dear friends and uncle performed during the ceremony, all the amazing heartfelt speeches, and the first dances. I use to not understand when couples would say that their wedding was the best day of their lives. Now I do.
My advice for couples planning a wedding is to prioritize what elements you really care about. For me, it was the flowers, photographer, music, and ambiance. Don’t worry too much about everything else. You will drive yourself crazy if you try to get everything perfect. I am also very glad we had a welcome dinner the night before. This gave us the opportunity to spend more time with our guests and not feel rushed on our wedding day. And of course, stay present. I took the advice to take mental pictures throughout the night. It really reminded me to pause and enjoy each moment.
Photography: Arnau Dubois Photography | Event Planning: Curated by Grace + White | Floral Design: Vanda Floral Design | Cake: Krumbs Cakes | Catering: Park Avenue Catering | Calligraphy: Shimmer & Stain | DJ: Atoms trio | Venue: Beltane Ranch | Decor: Bright Event Rentals | Dessert: Bliss Pops
