Life is anything but predictable, and recent years have cranked that truth to 11. So though Elise and Matt had planned on a wedding in the town where they met and fell in love, a certain pandemic (which will remain nameless) forced them to rethink their plans. In the end, these two mustered their flexibility and their spirit, and prepared a glamourous and elegant wedding at Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa.
My introduction to these lovebirds came during a phone call in which Elise expressed that the two of them were awkward on camera—a refrain I hear from most of my couples. But by the time we hung up, we had drafted a plan to make some engagement photos that brought out their best. [And strangely enough, along the way we discovered that my wife had a past with Elise’s family!]. During that engagement session, I was floored at just how natural these college sweethearts were out there along the American River. I credit that to their sense of ease with each other, their joking around, and the gentleness they offered each other throughout that warm afternoon. And well, they’ve got a killer sense of style too.
So of course I was excited to see how their wedding would take shape—and then change shape—to fit the restrictions around meeting spaces here in California. Whatever happened, I had no fear that it would be a glamourous affair, and one that was full of playfulness. As you’ll see in the images below (Elise’s white gloves! Matt’s white tux!), their Arden Hills Wedding did not disappoint . . .
Falling in love is a glorious thing, but it definitely takes work. Telling someone you’ve got feelings for them takes work. Building a romantic relationship takes work. Ring shopping and planning an engagement takes work. And you know that wedding planning takes work. Perhaps you’re starting to see the pattern here. So Elise and Matt, if a life together is going to take work, I get the distinct sense that you’re going to make that work feel like play.
I pray that the years ahead are filled with wonder, excitement, affection and plenty more dancing. Congratulations to you both!
Stellar Service Provided By:
Venue: Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa / Our Lady of The Assumption Parish
Hotel: Kimpton Sawyer
Dress: Bride to Be Couture
Tux: The Black Tux
Cake: Above and Beyond Cakes
Music: Cheeseballs / Tower String Quartet / Joaquin Razo
Florals: Galeazi’s Floral Design
Makeup: Shanna Beals
Hair: Jenna at Ritual Hair and Skin Studio
Photographer: Fits & Stops Photography
Videography: Tyler Austrie
Invitations: The Paper Garden