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Vintage Big Sur wedding: Abby + Matt

June 10, 2010

This pretty Carmel wedding was sent over by the always lovely Sarah Yates. Her work is so soft and ethereal, isn’t it? The bride has a special story that goes along with her wedding planning so instead of trying to recapture it in our own words, we figured we should just let her tell it.

“My dad was always present in our thoughts when we were planning. I’m so grateful he got to meet (and, of course, approve) of Matt before he passed away. Soon after Matt proposed, I started wedding planning with my mom and sisters. It happened to be one year, exactly, since my dad had passed. In addition to possible venues, we went that day to the waterfall in Big Sur where we had spread his ashes. Just as we turned around, a rainbow suddenly came out. We all got tearful and I knew he didn’t mind we were wedding planning on “his day”, moreover that he approved and promised to be a lucky charm.

After our booked venue fell victim to the recession, my dad gave us luck finding the new one. I was disheartened to begin searching again, but on his birthday an internet search I’d done a thousand times turned up a new venue–The Naval Postgraduate School. My father had taught there as a professor for over twenty years. I knew it was on the grounds of a historic and elegantly grand hotel, but I didn’t know it was open to civilians. When I called, Melanie told me that the chef and all of the staff remembered my dad fondly. And when I did a google image search of the school plus “wedding” one of my favorite pictures of my dad (receiving a medal as a Distinguished Professor) came up.”

Gorgeous wedding and venue everyone! Thanks so much, Sarah, for sending it over.

Photography: Sarah Yates / Flowers: Big Sur Flowers / Ceremony Venue: Quail Lodge / Reception Venue: Naval Postgraduate School / Make-up: Patricia Eatmon at Cos Bar Carmel / Hair: Amy at Oya Salon / Cake: Royal Bakery / Mariachis: Trio “Alborada”, Miguel “Miki” Alvarez (831.840.1257) / Dress and Belt: Enzoani from Isis Bridal / Bustle, Veil and Alterations: Mary Shah at Isis Bridal / Party Shoes: Miu Miu / Groom’s Suit, Shirt and Tie: Hugo Boss / Girls’ Dresses: BCBG, J.Crew / Day of Coordination: Ashley Downing (831.224.4446)

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