Kaitlin and Jason had a fun and charming wedding. Located in the midst of the rolling hills on the Central Coast, the Santa Margarita Ranch is truly a breathtaking place to get married. Plenty of DIY projects went into this wedding day to make it unique and a part of this lovely couples' personality. Jake and Necia Odening of The Collective Photographers were there to wonderfully capture the fine details and priceless candid moments of this couples special day. Enjoy!
Girl Meets Boy...
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-->Jason and I always say that we grew up around the corner from each other but met in college, well, because we did. We met at Cal Poly through a mutual friend and soon came to realize that our parents lived around the corner from each other back home in Ventura for most of our lives. We were drawn to each other, and quickly came to realize that we had something special.
After dating for 6 1/2 years, Jason proposed during my 26th birthday dinner in front of my entire family. It was a moment that I will never forget. Jason stood up to give a toast. Jason doesn't give toasts. He was also wearing a sweater and he doesn't wear sweaters. I quickly started shaking while realizing what he was doing. And so began the beginning of our journey...
Wedding Planning Inspiration...
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-->For many years I often told my best friends that I wanted to marry Jason one day because "it would be so much fun." That's what our relationship is and always has been - fun. I wanted our wedding first and foremost to be FUN. Not just kind of fun, but I wanted our guests to walk away saying that it was the most fun that they had ever had at a wedding. For me, the weddings that I have always enjoyed the most were those that were intimately about the couples love, had great music, killer food, and tons of special details. Fun to me also meant COLOR. I love red and teal, patterns and stripes. I have always been a crafty and I would say creative person, and I wanted our wedding to reflect our love through my creativity.
Details...
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-->I had charms made for each of my bridesmaid bouquets. Each had a word that I would use to describe them if I had only one word. For examples faithful, loyal, humble. When we first arrived at our venue I got them all together and gave each girl their bouquet. I had written a card for each of them as well as explaining why I chose that word and what they meant to me. It was a cool keepsake (I think) that allowed me to tell each of them how much they meant to me in a special way.
As a party favor we photoshopped Tapatio labels to have our heads on them. We love Mexican food and Tapatio is our favorite hot sauce. It was a big hit, and something that our guests actually took with them and used.
Advice for Other "Newbie Brides"...
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-->Don't listen to the haters. There were times throughout the wedding planning process that people made me feel like my ideas were crazy. And guess what - Tapatio bottle favors with our heads on them and a Taco Bell delivery at the end of the night were some of our guest's favorite aspects of our wedding. Listen to your gut, and do everything possible to make the day represent your personality as a couple.
Memorable Moments...
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-->We did our grand entrance into the barn to the song "Home" by Edward Sharp. Each bridal party couple did their own little dance, and we were last. Once we were all on the dance floor, energy high, everyone smiling, the song faded and "Blow the Whistle" by Too Short started playing. Our pastor then ran into the barn with a referee shirt on blowing a whistle. He explained to everyone that a big part of our memories over the years involved a little game called "Flip Cup" (we met in college.) He then explained that we (the bride and groom) thought that there would be no better way to begin our marriage than to play a little game of bridesmaids vs. groomsmen flip cup to see who was "really" in charge of our marriage. The girls won in a landslide.
RADDEST Wedding Vendors...
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-->Mo's BBQ did a FABULOUS job catering our wedding. The presentation was beautiful, the food was affordable, and best of all oh so tasty.
Wedding Artists | Photography: Jake + Necia of The Collective Photographers | Venue: Santa Margarita Ranch | Florist: Floral Designs by Roni | Hair: Kelli K from Cleo Hair Salon | Catering: MO's Smokehouse BBQ | Wedding Dress: Ivy and Aster | DJ: Goodbeat Productions | Bridesmaids Dresses: Anthropologie
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