I LOVE backyard weddings! They probably are honestly my favorite to coordinate and be a part of. Not only because they challenge me and keep me on my toes in a new environment with its own logistics and craziness you can only experience when weddings are done in a home. But also because to put it simply, they are just downright homey! Something about being at a private residence creates a mood and charisma that only can be found in that type of setting… LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM!
And, the same can be said about Jenn and Kevin: Two truly sweet, gifted, amazing people… LOVE THEM!!! I’ll never forget how I met Jenn and Kevin. I was actually “on the job” at another wedding when Jenn sent Kevin over to introduce himself to me to get my card. He guided me over to where Jenn was and she expressed how great it would be to have my assistance the day of her wedding… A few weeks later I met Jenn and her sweet mom, Pamela, and shortly after we were on our way finalizing the wedding details…
Jenn & Kevin held their ceremony and reception in the back yard of the lovely home Kevin grew up in. The ceremony was at dusk set on top of a bluff overlooking the valley and mountains of Riverside. It was an absolutely stunning view and despite the light breezes and gushes of wind, it was a perfect day for a wedding. As guests arrived at the home, they were greeted with a Greeting Station to quench their thirst and tide them over until the cocktail reception immediately following the ceremony.
The colors Jenn had selected for her wedding were perfect for an early summer wedding… greens, blues, with a splash of yellow and peacock feathers. I absolutely loved all the details Jenn put together: homemade Pomegranate Jam as favors/placecards, river rocks on the place settings with guests names written on them, vintage glassware and bottles for the centerpieces, candles galore (even floating in the pool), paper pom-poms hanging from the garage and bar area, and Italian Soda Station where guests could customize their own drink, wedding signage on fabric cutouts in the color palette (simply chic and darling!), the 1930’s vintage Lincoln getaway car, and the list could go on and on…
One of my fav’s Jenn envisioned was her tasty dessert station, full of desserts from Sweet & Saucy, homemade desserts from family members, and a few other tasty treats Jenn picked up along the way. It was absolutely a festive and lovely dessert spread that watered guests mouths the instant they saw it!
Guests wined and dined all evening (literally) on yummy cuisine from Green Street Restaurant, whose staff were sweet and completely on top of everything. A true pleasure to work with… And if you think the food element was over after this, you’d be gravely mistaken! Towards the end of the evening, a nacho bar “popped up” to fill the bellies of those who needed a tasty late night snack!
I was blessed to work with such great people on Jenn & Kevin’s wedding day: Brandon Kidd (Photographer) was on top of it and ensured that all the photographic elements were handled efficiently and smoothly (on a side note, THANK YOU BRANDON for sending me many great pics from their wedding!!!); Deluxe limos transported guests up and down the estate property to their vehicles; Bobby Kosch held the ceremony together with his charisma and charm; Kevin Clark was a behind the scenes man this day capturing all videography elements possible with a bit of pizzazz; Picture Perfect Party Rentals provided all the rental items necessary to throw a party fit for a queen and king; Kacee Geoffrey Makeup Design gave Jenn the look she’d pictured and dreamed about for her wedding; Diamond Environmental Services provided the clean and tidy restrooms for the guests; and last, but certainly not least, Richard from Extreme DJ kept the music flowing and guests entertained ALL EVENING LONG!
Thanks Jenn & Kevin for the opportunity to be a part of your special day! Truly an honor and pleasure!
Also, check out Brandon’s blog at: http://www.bkiddphoto.com/blog/ for further wedding pics!