Loft

After almost two years of being in a relationship, Jamie and Bryan finally got married in a simple yet elegant way. Instead of the usual altar backdrop, they went with the oceanview – fitting for Jamie’s beach chic dream wedding. Tropical flowers of purple, yellow, and hot pink hung along the aisle while the sea breeze blows it to and fro like ringing bells. If you are planning to have a beach wedding, theirs can be your inspiration. Congratulations on your beautiful day, Jamie and Bry!

Our Story

We met at a corporate training in Texas. I was living in Florida and Bryan was living in California at the time. After many months of remaining pen pals, we decided to try a bi-coastal relationship. After 8 months of doing the long distance, we both knew it was something special. The following month, I relocated to California and a little over a year later, we were engaged.

We Are A Perfect Match

Bryan and I share a lot of the same values, commonalities, and interests. Above all, we can be entertained anywhere as long as we are together (I married quite the goober).

The Proposal

We were in Hawaii and I had no idea what Bryan had in store! On our fourth day, we went to explore the island and every expeirence was a failure. I wanted to go back to the resort but Bryan wanted to try one more beach (in his mind, he was running out of the “perfect place” to propose). We got to Lanikai Beach and it was gorgeous! After Bryan talked me into walking about half a mile down the beach, he got down on one knee and proposed. Needless to say, I’m still speechless.

The Planning Process

We wanted to make our engagement short and sweet! With me being from Kansas City (& all of my family still there), I wanted to make sure our California Wedding venue had a breathtaking backdrop (without anyone having to have sand on their feet).

The Chart House was our first venue to look at and it was perfect! Not only was the view perfect, they gave us a date that was less than a year away. They also helped us with some tips that allowed us to finalize all our vendors within 30 days from getting engaged.

I think getting married under a year is perfect. I know if we had more than our 10 month engagement, I would have started second guessing all the decisions we had made the months before (colors, flowers, cake flavor, you name it!).

Tips & Tricks For Future Brides

This may sound simplistic but stay organized! Everyone has their own method but for me, it was making my own checklist from all the checklist you can find online. You need to personalize the things you want to accomplish and hold yourself accountable. My checklists started out as monthly, then weekly, and then daily.

I was fortunate enough that Bryan was very invovled throughout the process – I truly couldn’t have asked for a better fiancé. Only other tip/trick I have is breathe! 🙂

The Challenges We Faced

Our venue only allowed for 75 guests. It was perfect for us because we wanted to have a small Wedding but 75 isn’t a lot of people. Managing the list without hurting anyone’s feelings was something we were challenged with, but in the end we felt it worked out perfectly.

Wedding Decor Inspiration

Bryan and I were trying to go for a “Beach Chic Theme.” We have very classic styles and we always try to keep things simple & elegant. With that, we thought black dresses with tropical flowers would go perfectly with our venue/oceanview backdrop.

To make it a little fun, we added a smore’s bar for after dinner and tiki torches to help with our dance floor for the outside dance floor.

Money Matters

Our largest expense was food and alcohol. To us, two of the things that stand out at a Wedding are the food and drinks. We passed delicious appetizers during our oceanview cocktail hour and then served a salmon and filet entree at dinner. We also made sure we had wine poured throughout dinner so people could pair their meal appropriately.

The Guest List

75 was our total headcount and 75 was our final headcount. We started out with giving my side and Bryan’s side 40 guest each to work with (totaling 80 all together). I wanted to make sure we kept it fair from all sides. From there, we assumed some people wouldn’t make it which would allow us to get down to the 75 headcount. Fortunately, our method worked!

The Songs

Our musician/DJ, Danny, was amazing! He played accoustic guitar during our ceremony and throughout dinner and then turned into a DJ for the dance portion. Prior to our ceremony, we let Danny play whatever (he has some of his original pieces which are fantastic).

Then for the Wedding entrances we played:

Processional: “Heartbeats” by Jose Gonzalez (guitar only done by Danny)

Bride’s Entrance: “Pachelbel’s Cannon in D”

Recessional: “You are the best thing” by Ray LaMontagne (sang by Danny)

The Honeymoon

Because we had so many people in town from out of state for the Wedding weekend, we didn’t want to leave right after. We decided to take a few “mini-moon” trips for the next 9 months, and then go to Europe when time allows for our true Honeymoon.

The Next Step

We are really enjoying being married right now. We are certain we will have kids one day but for the near future, we are enjoying being in the present and enjoying our lives as Bryan and Jamie Meyer.

Planning Advice For Couples

Breathe! And try to enjoy the little things throughout the process and in the moments you have as a couple (at your shower, the weeks leading up to your Wedding day, the rehersal dinner, etc.).

Most importantly, try to take a few minutes out of the big day to soak it all in. I know we tried doing this but it’s a lot easier said than done.

Highlights from the Ceremony and the Reception

Bryan and I both really enjoyed the silly moments – from our goofy snapshot of my ring during the Ceremony, our sunset pictures with Mikal, and then dancing the night away with our friends and family.

A Memorable Moment

The view at the Chart House (we heard about it for weeks after!). I also think our silly moment during the ceremony will also be remembered by all.

VENDORS

Photographer:  LOKITM Photography
Event Venue: Chart House Dana Point