Kim and Odessa met and fell in love at their 10 year High School reunion. It wasn’t long before they started to live life together, decided to get married, and hired me as their photographer. 
Look at this wedding day, no detail was overlooked. Everything was seamless, it flowed, and in the air was a sense of love. I wish all weddings could be this wonderful…
Check out these flowers. Ridiculously beautiful. Odessa sewed the ribbons and sent them to Flanders, her florist, to attach to her bouquet. I absolutely LOVE the flowers! Event the boutonniere’s were killer. Flanders Setchel is brilliant. Hire her, she won’t disappoint! (By the way, I know the link goes to her real estate website but I couldn’t find her site for her flowers… don’t hesitate though, she’s a genius when it comes to floral arrangements.)
By the way, did you see that hankie? That was Odessa’s grandmother’s hankie. Something old. Gorgeous.
Odessa’s dress was stunning. Seriously beautiful. She got it from Priscilla of Boston. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s creamy elegance suited Odessa to the T. When Odessa put it on, I’m not joking, she took on a princess persona. Her hands would move like Giselle’s in the movie Enchanted. Really, truly, it was magical.
Odessa got her hair and makeup done at the coolest salon on the main street of Nevada City. {Have I mentioned how charming, rustic, and amazingly beautiful Nevada City is yet?!} Tamara at Bel Capelli Salon did a brilliant job highlighting Odessa’s natural beauty. I didn’t get to have my hair or makeup done while working but if I were to be anywhere near Nevada City, I’d definitely stop in there to get all primped and beautified.
Odessa and her mom spent countless hours sewing over 800 fabric flowers for the centerpieces and pins that sat on the napkins for the guests to pin on, take home, and remember the amazing day spent celebrating the Shekar’s. Not only did Odessa sew each flower but her personal touches were seen throughout the wedding from the ribbon backdrop to ribbon that were framed and held the escort cards on the barn. Plus she sewed these darling handbags for her bridesmaids!
Odessa ordered these beautiful Dupioni silk handmade flowers. One for her hair as well as one for each bridesmaid who fastened it to the ribbon around their waste. Such a lovely little detail. You can find these flowers (and other amazing accessories on Etsy. These specific flowers were made by JMG Jewelry Design.
Five years ago Kim’s mother passed away from cancer. At the wedding bracelets that his mom owned were worn by family and close friends so that her spirit could be there celebrating her son’s union. Odessa’s ring was Kim’s moms wedding ring. So meaningful.
Let me share with you the meaning of this chest. First off, Odessa’s brother designed and built it. Look at that woodwork! It’s gorgeous! This chest contains letters from family as well as letters the couple wrote to each other. It also houses other mementos from their lives and on their 25th wedding anniversary Kim and Odessa will open the chest, read the letters, and relive the memories of why they fell in love. If rocky times fall in their path before their 25th anniversary is reached, they will open the chest and be taken back to the happiest time of their life; to be reminded why they fell in love, why they chose one another, in hopes of finding their roots once again.
Oh, did you see the ribbon backdrop that Odessa and Kim created? It was perfect.
Before and after the ceremony the guests enjoyed cocktails in the Rose Garden. Hanging from the trees and shrubs were pictures from Kim and Odessa’s lives before and after meeting one another. It was here, in the Rose Garden that the couple were introduced and enjoyed their first dance before moving the party to the reception.
Kim and Odessa stayed at Our Sweet Retreat in Nevada City. The morning of the wedding family and close friends came out and enjoyed some Yoga on the lawn. The groomsmen stuck around and made an amazing breakfast then got ready for the big day. The wedding party then met up in the early afternoon and so began the picture taking and the main event!
First, check out how charming this place was!
The Roth Estate was amazing! Kim and Odessa used three separate areas for their wedding day. The main lawn was where they had the ceremony, the cocktail parties were in The Rose Garden, and finally the reception was in The Party Pad. It was ridiculously beautiful!
Do you see all this handmade goodness? My word Odessa, you were busy all year long! What you did, all the details, were absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to photograph.
Antonio Ayestaran Custom Catering… three words: yum, Yum, YUM!!! Seriously. They served roasted vegetables (the eggplant was to die for), halibut (my mouth is watering right now), steak (oh goodness it was delicious), and risotto (get out!!!)! And the salad, oh the salad, it was dressed with bananas and strawberries. Who knew?!
Isn’t this cake darling? The cake topper is one of those sweet little toys that when you press the button the couples limbs collapse, when released they pop back up. Such a cute (and tasty) cake! By the way, it was marzipan instead of fondant. I LOVE marzipan! The cake was lovingly baked, decorated, and designed by The Cake Artist.
The band at the reception ROCKED the house! I mean we were dancing to Journey, Lady Gaga, and everything else in between. They were so ridiculously cool and fun. The Hits Band, totally a must have if you want a live band!
Joy of Life Events coordinated this whole shebang. Donna was amazing, simply lovely to be around. She was on top of everything and was always there, unobtrusive, doing her job. Donna, you made this party rock!
Kim and Odessa, thank you! Thank you for becoming my friends. Thank you for hiring me to capture your wedding day. Thank you for making your wedding weekend a blast to be a part of! Enjoy the story that your images tell. Remember those amazing, heartfelt moments and keep serving one another. You guys are so great. Congratulations and I look forward to taking pictures of your children!!!
If you’d like to browse through all of the pictures from Kim & Odessa’s wedding visit my online photo gallery where you can also order your pictures today.
