On Saturday, August 8th, 2020, Sarah and Mitch gathered with their friends and family to celebrate their wedding. While the ceremony took place a couple months prior, the couple longed to share their union with loved ones.
Reception video shot and edited by Sail and Summit Films.
Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California proved to be the perfect backdrop with scenic rolling hills and a ranch-style ambiance. The bride and groom’s prior mountain wedding was beautifully complemented by Arroyo Trabuco’s outdoor setting.
Sarah’s talents as a graphic designer were on full display as she meticulously executed her vision for the evening. The night truly was a work of love. Everything from the welcome sign to the menus was designed and handmade by the bride. She even got Mitch to help with building the escort card display and photo booth backdrop. Not every photo booth features handspun trees made of wood and yarn. The long nights were worth it as the guests who knew Sarah could see her hand in all the details throughout the evening.
In lieu of traditional table numbers, the bride designed custom cut mountains out of wood, which were engraved with memorable mountains for the couple. Placecards were engraved with each guest’s name and were paired with a handcut menu unique to the guest’s meal selection. The wood farm tables were adorned with garland of fresh greens featuring anemones, roses, dahlias, and more.
Flowers were beautifully arranged by Sweet Blossom Designs.
With only the immediate family having been present for the couple’s wedding ceremony, it was important to the bride and groom to share their vows, in whole, with their reception guests. It is their friends and family who will help hold them accountable to live out these vows. Sarah designed 10 ft tall banners made of linen to showcase this covenant love. The banners greeted the guests upon arrival and were later placed behind the bride and groom during the dinner.
The custom made, free standing escort card display measured 7 ft tall and featured hand torn cards with each guest’s name and table assignment. The “your adventure awaits” wood sign echoed the bride and groom’s sentiment that life is an adventure.
During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed lawn games and refreshments before being seated for dinner. Sarah and Mitch wanted the guests to experience their ceremony before making their entrance. Four large screens were placed around the lawn for each guest to watch the wedding video.
In 1960, Ben E. King was inspired to update the early 20th century gospel hymn by Charles Albert Tindley, which was based around the psalm, “will not we fear, though the Earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” This gospel anthem is what the bride and groom chose as their first dance to symbolize their complete faith in Jesus Christ, living with hope rather than fear, and their devotion to stand next to each other even if the mountains crumble.
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry
No, I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
The vision for the evening was a big family dinner with lots of storytelling. When Sarah and Mitch met, there was only one person who knew both of them. While that person made the connection that led to marriage, most of the guests only knew either the bride or groom. With an open mic, many memories were shared and God’s faithfulness was on full display.
Sarah made a montage of memories between her and her dad into a video which was played before their father daughter dance. They danced to “Wild World” by Cat Stevens.
Mitch and his mother, Anice, danced to “Wedding Song (There is Love)” by Noel Paul Stookey.
“A man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.”
The guests enjoyed a dessert bar with crème brûlée, red velvet cake, custard tarlets, and more. The bride and groom’s cake was a two tiered, chocolate vanilla marble cake, with bavarian filling and fresh strawberries.
Website designed and built by the bride 😊 Reception photography by Deidre Lynn Photography.