Michelle and Dave were my first clients to hire me sight-unseen.
Usually I meet with potential clients, talk with them in person.
But occasionally, a client lives out of town and isn’t planning to visit any time soon. So we schedule a phone call or use Skype.
It’s a scary thing, having an initial consultation over the phone. You can’t see each other. I mean, it seems obvious. But as humans we’re so used to paying attention to each other in person that talking on the phone, for something like a “getting to know you” meeting, is just… Strange. There’s no way to gauge how you’re doing, no body language to go off of, and no way to recognize that you’re talking too much!
Plus… Sometimes potential clients ask scary questions. It happens.
Still, I really felt like we had a great connection, so I was thrilled when Michelle e-mailed me a few hours after our phone call:
“I had a feeling that you were going to be our coordinator, for some reason I can’t explain, but that feeling was right. We are very ready to move forward if you will have us!”
Well, you can guess my reaction. I think my return e-mail had lots of exclamation points in it. (For anyone who wonders, yes, I talk like I write. Tons of exclamation points!)
Because Michelle and Dave were planning their wedding long distance, they wanted full wedding planning, and they needed to work with someone they could trust to make everything come together. I was honored to be chosen for the task!
Michelle and Dave had already chosen their location – the gorgeous La Jolla Shores Hotel – but we were able to work together to put together a vendor “dream team” for their wedding. For each vendor choice, I gave Michelle and Dave the options I felt were best for their style and preferences, and they made the ultimate choice. I can honestly say that I have never had a wedding where I worried less about how the vendors would do on the day of the event – because I’d done the “matchmaking” myself I could say for certain that each vendor would work well both for the couple and with me. And I trusted each vendor implicitly. They did not disappoint!
In fact, the incredible Bryan N. Miller is now the standard to whom my assistant Rachael holds all photographers, for both his talent and charm! I think his gorgeous images of the day speak for themselves, and it didn’t hurt that he lived in Illinois while growing up (as did I; the couple lives South of Chicago, so it was kismet!).
As full planner, I also helped the couple manage their budget, designed the details for the day, created the Out-of-Town bags (which included San Diego treats like Chuao Chocolates and Stone Beer!), and attended tastings with the couple when they came out to San Diego for a visit in January (oh yes, it’s a hard life!!). By the time that the wedding day rolled around, I felt as much love, responsibility, and care for their wedding as I did for my own. And seeing the photos of the day that I had intimately planned was as fulfilling as seeing the photos of my own!
Of course Michelle and Dave were not only totally in love, they didn’t only place a ton of faith in someone they’d met only for a few hours on a weekend in person before their wedding week, and they weren’t only totally adorable in their wedding photos. They were also incredibly sweet and generous (seriously, the entire vendor team was treated like family!) and ridiculously fun. I have to admit – I’m sad I don’t get to talk to Michelle nearly enough now that the wedding itself is over!
I not only had the chance to do all the planning for their wedding, I also did all the design – including stationery. From the wedding and even bridal shower invitations to the menus and programs to the place cards and table numbers to the vows and readings, I was able to make sure that every part of their wedding day reflected their style. I am so proud of the results.
So without further ado… Part 1 of Michelle + Dave’s Classic Beach Wedding at La Jolla Shores Hotel!
I’m trying not to narrate these fabulous photos too much… But of course this is the first look. I love how happy they are!!!
Of course, no First Look in the world can replace the sight of your bride walking down the aisle. These next two photos blew me away when I saw them. I was in the back, where I always am, cueing the bride, so I didn’t see this moment in person. But it makes my heart full to see this love.
Michelle and Dave had a beautiful ceremony by Rev. Christopher Tuttle. His advice was straightforward and from the heart: Love each other. A lot.
This was a real treat – toes-in-the-sand beach wedding. Just what you’d hope for in a Destination affair.
And of course, they shared a tender kiss at the end!
I’ll be sharing more of this beautiful wedding with you soon! 🙂
Michelle + Dave’s Classic Beach Wedding at La Jolla Shores Hotel Wedding Details:
Still more gorgeousness to come!
Events by Elisa 