Tradition was a top priority in Lindsey and Bryan’s California wedding from the venue to the fashion. The ceremony was held in the same church where Lindsey grew up, where she carried a piece of cloth that has been in her family since 1780. Memoire Studio could not have been a more perfect choice in photographer for the sentimental wedding day as they are masters in capturing memories that will be forever cherished.
The Couple:
Lindsey and Bryan
The Wedding:
Garden Court Hotel, Palo Alto, California
The Inspiration:
The ceremony took place at the church that I grew up in and where my parents were married 31 years ago so I wanted to select colors and styles that complimented the beautiful stained glass in the sanctuary. (As a side note, that same pastor that married us also married my parents and dedicated me as a baby!) The green, white, and rich eggplant colors that worked so well in the church also fit beautifully with the reception venue. To spice things up at the reception, we added accents of gold and lots of candles. I’d say the whole thing fit into the category of “classic elegance.”
Following family tradition, for my “something old”, I carried a piece of cloth from the wedding dress of Mercy Morton, my 6th great grandmother. Mercy Morton married Deacon James Cushman in June 1780 in Plymouth, MA. Mercy was the great granddaughter of Mayflower passenger Edward Doty. Mercy’s father told her she might have the prettiest silk she could find in Boston for her wedding dress, or he would give her one of his best cows and a cotton dress. Mercy took the cow and wove the fabric for the wedding dress herself, decorating it with small hand stamps. My great grandmother, Marie, carried this piece in her 1930 wedding. My grandmother, Helen, carried it in her 1960 wedding and my mom carried the piece in her 1984 wedding.
The Moments:
There was absolutely no better feeling than walking back down the aisle together after being pronounced husband and wife. The pipe organ was blasting, we could see all of our friends and family cheering for us, and any nervous feelings were replaced with complete joy.
Also, our reception was quite the party. Guests of all ages were out on the dance floor showing off their best moves. We have amazing action shots that bring a smile to my face every time I look at them. The evening culminated with an amazing sparkler sendoff. After walking through a tunnel of sparkers, Bryan gave me a big kiss and lifted me into the back of a friend’s 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible and we drove off into the night. We heard later that the sparklers burned for a long time so all of our guests continued the celebration danced in the street. We thought of the reception as being our way of saying “thank you” to all of the people who have loved and supported us throughout our lives and we think they had a great time!
The Couple Recommends:
Mirtha of B&B Floral Design is absolutely the best! She listened to my preferences and then worked with me to develop designs that were both to my liking and within my budget. When she thought that a flower I originally wanted was going to be difficult to find or too expensive, she took the initiative to suggest other varieties. Every flower looked fresh, was beautifully arranged, and offered a “wow” factor.
From start to finish, Tammy and Mark of Memoire Studio were dependable, easy to work with, and most importantly produced amazing photos. I planned our California wedding from the east coast so I very much appreciated their willingness to thoroughly and quickly answer all of my questions. Throughout our wedding day, they were prompt and available but never intrusive. The more I look at our wedding photos, the more I love them! My husband and I are not photogenic and yet I have a hard time picking my favorite photo of us. Before the wedding I would have said that I value the formal group shots more than the candid photos but I was wrong. They perfectly captured so many of the moments that I remember and also caught glimpses of the day that I missed.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Memoire Studio
Ceremony Venue – Saratoga Federated Church
Reception Venue – Garden Court Hotel
Floral Design – B&B Floral Design
Cake – Icing on the Cake
DJ – Sound in Motion
Wedding Dress – Mori Lee by Madeline Gardener
Bridal Accessories – Global Bridal Gallery
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – David’s Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – Men’s Wearhouse
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Men’s Wearhouse
Rings – Ashocka Diamond
Favors – See’s Candy
Congratulations to Lindsey and Bryan on their Garden Court Hotel wedding and thanks to Memoire Studio for sharing! For more traditional wedding inspiration, check out Vivian and Fernando’s timeless and romantic Colombian wedding.
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