PHOTOGRAPHY: Ken Kienow.  A friend of mine got married a few years ago and I fell in love with her wedding photographs.  The photographs made me feel like I was living in the moment; they were creative, and natural. So I got the name of her photographer (Ken Kienow) and we booked him immediately for our wedding day.

WHERE: The ceremony and reception were in two different locations.  Ceremony, took place at a private residence in  Dinuba, CA.  The reception, to place at Ridge Creek Golf Course.  Finding a venue was one of the hardest things Josh and I experienced during our wedding planning.  Every place we visited was either not in the right location, not our style, or too expensive.  However, after a long search a wonderful couple from our church, the Henderson's, offered their home for our wedding ceremony.  Josh and I visited their home and we fell in love immediately with the natural feel and its open landscape, tall grass, and intimate setting.  So we decided to have our ceremony at their home, and our reception at an alternate location (Ridge Creek Golf Course).

THEME: Vintage garden romance.  Since the start of the wedding planning I new that I wanted a vintage, and romantic  setting which I achieved with the help of friends, and family.  Over the years my grandmother has hand made many chrocheted doilies, which she lovingly provided, so that I could decorate my cake, sign in, unity sand, and guest's tables.  All of my tables were also decorated with vintage vases, tea cups, tea pots, and perfume bottles which were purchased at thrift stores throughout Tulare, and Fresno county.  Finding these vases (or treasures as I call them) was no easy task but it was so much fun, as friends, family, and even Josh (my husband) would accompany me on this search which began early on after becoming engaged and lasted until a couple of weeks before our wedding.  My color palette changed so many times before I decided on the final one; multiple shades of yellow, white, pink, and peach which further complemented my vintage garden romance theme.  I am so pleased with the way that it all came together, it was rewarding to see all of my dreamed up ideas in front of me on the wedding day.

GUESTS:  Josh and I were surrounded by many of our fabulous friends and family.  There were 200 guests who attended our wedding and filled the day with love and joy.

DRESS:  I purchased my wedding dress from Brides and Maidens in Visalia CA.  However, it took alot of searching before I found my dress, and it is true what people say, when I slipped in it I KNEW it was MINE!!!!!!!  My dress was a beautiful plunge-sweetheart lace dress.

BRIDESMAIDS:  My bridesmaids wore yellow T-length dresses made by Diane Smith.  Finding a dress for my ladies that was yellow (not just any yellow, I was looking for a vintage shade of yellow), reasonably priced, and versatile enough to be worn again was difficult to do.  My bridesmaids and I felt like we looked everywhere and could not find what we were looking for, until my soon to be sister-in-law (who is also one of my bridesmaids) introduced me to Diane Smith (a seamstress from Dinuba CA).  Diane is amazing, she was able to create the dress that my bridesmaids and I dreamed up, she personalized every bridesmaids dress with a name tag, and she gave my girls an unbelievable price.  

 
GROOMSMEN:  The groomsmen wore black slacks, and a black vest from Mens Wearhouse.  They purchased their shoes, white formal shirt, and ties  in a store of their choice as long as they obtained the correct color (this helped make their attire more affordable without compromising the look I wanted).  The groom wore a Kenneth Cole suit which he had tailored at Mens Wearhouse, and black Calvin Klein shoes.  The men all wore boutonniere's created out of yellow billy-balls (the groom's boutonniere had 3 billy-balls and the groomsmen had 2 billy-balls) , wheat, raffia, and greenery.

HAIR:  I wore my hair in a loose french braid which was then secured in a loose chignon at the end.  I was so happy with my hair as it fit my style perfectly (effortlessly romantic), thanks to my hairstylist's creativity.  My hairstylist was Jessica Reyes (who is also my regular hairdresser and cousin) from Marchky's Modern Image Salon in Visalia CA.  My hair piece was made by my sister who was also my maid of honor.  Thanks to my loving and creative family I wore a beautiful hairstyle and hairpiece.  

   
MAKEUP: Originally I was planning on doing my own makeup, until I came to the realization that my makeup would not withstand the Valley heat in the summer.  So, I spoke to friends who had recently gotten married during the spring and summer months in the valley, and they recommended that I get airbrush makeup.  I absolutely loved my airbrush makeup; it was soft and natural, thanks to my fabulous makeup artist Alisha at Metropolis salon in Visalia CA.  

RINGS:  My husband and I decided that he would make the final decision and purchase on my wedding ring.  When he proposed I was surprised not only because it was an amazing and creative proposal but also because he chose the perfect ring for me.  My ring was purchased at Fred Meyer Jewelers.  My husbands wedding band was initially a gift that I had given him on Valentines day, two years before we were engaged.  His stirling silver wedding band was purchased at a local indie shop named Green Goddess in Visalia CA.  

STATIONERY/INVITATIONS:   My green (earth friendly) invitations were obtained through my wonderful friend Heather DelaCruz, owner of Happily Ever After.  The invitation required no envelope, as it folded into itself.  The RSVP card was attached to the invitation and perforated for an easy and clean tear.  Directions, and registry information was personally created (with the help of family) and attached to the invitation with alternating green, and yellow yarn along with twine.  Finally, I decided to use a typewriter font for the invitation so that I could continue with the vintage look.    

FLOWERS:  All of my flower arrangements; bride and bridesmaids bouquets, corsages and boutonniere's, and center pieces were created by Heather DelaCruz from Happily Ever After.  I asked Heather to create and eclectic garden look for all of my flower arrangements, which she accomplished.  I am so happy with her work and creativity, thank you Heather.   

CEREMONY DETAILS:  In my opinion, the ceremony was breathtakingly beautiful for multiple reasons.  The saying that states less is more, fits my ceremony perfectly.  The ceremony location had a natural feel as it was surrounded by open landscape with tall lush trees.  Thus, only small pots of flowers were added to make the isle, white bows were used to add a simple decoration to the chairs, and a simple yet beautifully decorated arch was added.  In addition, the beauty of the ceremony was enhanced by the love and support of our friends and family, but most uniquely by our officiant who was my father-in-law.  Throughout, the ceremony there was not a dry eye and I could hardly keep myself from sobbing in happiness as I was saying my vows.  Needless to say, it was so special to have my father-in-law as our officiant.  

RECEPTION DETAILS:  The reception site was perfect, better then I had imagined it.  As I shared earlier; between myself and my husband, family and friends, we all collected all of the decoration items.  However, my wonderful friend Heather DelaCruz owner of Happily Ever After decorated all of the tables while family and friends decorated the actual tent with different materials, flowers, and ficus trees.  

CAKE:  My beautiful cake was created by Shelly Wade from Gourmet Desserts in Visalia CA.  I heard of Shelly through a couple of friends who described her as Visalia's best kept secret.  I'm glad I found her, as she helped in making my wedding a little sweeter with her fun and helpful personality, and delicious cake.  

ENTERTAINMENT:  For entertainment my husband and I decided that we were going to have a DJ (of course), and we absolutely had to have a Mariachi.  Our DJ was DJ George from Dinuba CA.  DJ George was amazing; he offered great prices, and a fun and helpful personality.  Finding our DJ was not nearly as difficult as it was to find a Mariachi, but finally we found Mariachi Viajeros from Fresno CA.  I was so happy with Mariachi Viajeros, thay sounded amazing and they were so much fun.

 
FOOD & DRINKS:  Ridge Creek Golf Course catered the buffet style fruit display (which was made into swan) and sit down dinner and drinks.  

LITTLE EXTRAS:  There are additional things that Josh and I did to personalize our wedding.  I created my own sign in book (it took me alot of time, but I'm glad I did it); I decorated it with stamps and photographs of Josh and I.  The sign in book was created so that our guests could write  messages, prayers, and/or wishes.  At the ceremony site, our guests were greeted by sign that Josh and I created.  During the ceremony break I was surprised by my husband who sang a song for me.  Josh and I took free dancing classes from a friend (who is a ballroom dancer) and learned a great routine which we performed during our first dance.  Josh and I were surprised by our family who created personalized champagne bottle for Josh and I, and Jones Sodas for the wedding party.  On the wedding day I assigned one person, a friend of the family, to make sure everything was executed as it was suppose to be.  Finally, Josh and I had a dollar dance which helped us with some extra expenses for our honeymoon thanks to our generous friends and family!  

BEST ADVICE FOR PLANNING A WEDDING/TO BRIDES:  1. Let others help you throughout the wedding process, it was so nice to be able to relax.  2. Make sure to give you and your ladies enough time to get ready, and to relax and enjoy each other, I was able to have that time with my bridesmaids and I cherish it.  3. Take the time to soak it all in, I did this a few times throughout my wedding (I slowly scanned throughout the room/place and soaked in everyone's smiles, the fresh air, the music, and the beauty) it was so refreshing.

     
FABI'S CONTACTS:
    •    PHOTOGRARHY: Ken Kienow
    •    BRIDE'S DRESS & VEIL: Brides & Maidens (Visalia CA)
    •    BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Diane Smith (Seamstress, Dinuba CA)
    •    GROOMS SUIT: Kenneth Cole Suit, Calvin Klein shoes
    •    RINGS: Fred Meyer Jewelers, Green Goddess (Visalia CA)
    •    HAIR: Jessica Reyes, Marchky's Modern Image Salon (VIsalia CA)
    •    MAKEUP: Alisha, Metropolis Salon (Visalia CA)
    •    INVITATIONS: Happily Ever After
    •    FLOWERS: Happily Ever After
    •    CAKE: Gourmet Desserts (Visalia CA)
    •    RECEPTION: Ridge Creek Golf Course
    •    CEREMONY: Private residence in Dinuba, CA
    •    WEDDING STYLIST: Happily Ever After ( + help from family & friends!)
    •    ENTERTAINMENT: DJ George (Dinuba CA)