Catherine Hall Studios

Real Wedding Feature: Andy & Heather

July 21, 2007

Hollister Ranch, Santa Barbara

Featured Wedding Slideshow

Heather Wall and Andy Katsev met in San Luis Obispo while she was attending Cal Poly, and he was working as a realtor. The perfect pair it was, one woman’s search for housing for her final year at college, and another’s search for the perfect tenant to fill his listing. After she moved into the neighborhood, where the couple still resides today, they crossed paths many times.  One day when Andy was strategically walking the dog passed her house, Heather made the first move and invited Andy over for salmon fish tacos.  Andy, who was raised in the Midwest, never says no to home cooking and couldn’t resist the offer.  From that evening on the couple was inseparable. After courting for six months, Andy surprised Heather and asked her to be his wife, on Valentine’s Day in romantic Cambria.

The wedding festivities were designed around the location, leaving no doubt that it had to take place at Hollister ranch, where the brides parents had just completed building their Mexican Hacienda style home, on100 acres of pristine Santa Barbara property. The event was so extraordinary because it not only celebrated love but also the, easier said than done, completion of Heather’s parents dream home. When it came time to planning, the natural beauty of this outdoor setting was enough on its own. With that in mind, the couple planned to a non-traditional wedding that took advantage of such an incredibly unique venue. They wanted their wedding day simply to be a festive party, where everyone would feel comfortable and get the most out of the amazing setting.

Heather’s personal style set the theme by wearing cowboy boots, as did the rest of the wedding party and most of the guests. At four o’clock in the afternoon the guest lounged on hay bails, and a handsome nine piece mariachi band played “El Niño Perdido” as the unrehearsed father walked his daughter down the isle. At this point the event came alive as guest whistled and screamed with joy, the groom and groomsmen removed their cowboy hats and bowed to the bride while the bridesmaids simultaneously curtsied. The couple chose to be married by a witty close friend that illustrated to guests the humor they both share.

The vibrant colored flowers and bright Mexican serapes lied across the tables in an enclosed courtyard for the reception. The wedding party entered the courtyard reception through an arched door with a bell over it. When it was time for the bride and groom to enter, Heather’s brother, along with a few delighted children, rang the bell several times by pulling on a long rope.

Real Wedding Feature: Kate & Kevin

July 28, 2007

Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe

Featured Wedding Slideshow

Kate Dietrich and Kevin Davis met in Lake Tahoe when they lived there several years ago.  It was only natural that they chose this breathtaking area for their wedding.  Top choice for a location was the lakefront historical Thunderbird Lodge on the East Shore.  This magical stone castle was the playground of 1930’s notoriously eccentric millionaire George Whittell famous for his all-night parties (with Bill, his pet lion), colorful celebrity guests and high stake card games.  Wedding guests were shuttled to this lakefront location and, before the wedding ceremony, treated to a tour of the unforgettable property including the quintessential rock gazebo and secret underground tunnels.

Soft, feminine accents contrasted by natural, organic elements delighted guests in all the details from the first oh-so-important Save the Date complete to Kate’s Wedding Cake.  Tahoe tradition was included in the Ceremony by tossing flowers in remembrance of family into the Lake. The Ceremony and Dinner were both held lakeside maximizing the unforgettable views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding Sierra Mountains. The color scheme of salmon, gold, chocolate brown and cream complimented the stone castle and granite boulders perfectly.  The famous, crystal clear Lake Tahoe blue water was echoed in the Wedding Favor – a nest with robin blue soap eggs at each place setting.  Lake Tahoe’s alpenglow (sunset) was captured in their Signature Drink – a pear-melba martini, a stunning salmon color.

Not one guest will leave Lake Tahoe without feeling as if they had been a part of something truly special and magical – the meaningful, loving marriage of their friends in an unforgettable setting.  Kate and Kevin couldn’t have been more radiant and in love through out their special day.   

 

Feature Verbiage by: Merrily Rocco

Venue:  Thunderbird Lodge
Event Coordinator: Merrily Wed   
Dress Designer:  Monique Lhuillier
Florist:  Bellissima Floral Creations
Cake Designer:  D'Lish
Caterer:  Crest Catering

Real Wedding Feature: Sarah and Kevin

June 30, 2007
Highlands Inn, Carmel

Featured Wedding Image Slideshow

Sarah, 25, a Marketing Specialist, and Kevin, 32, an Everglades National Park Guide, met while Sarah was doing an internship in Naples, FL for her last remaining credits towards a Communications degree from Michigan State University.  The pair clicked instantly on their casual first date over sushi, and a shared love for the beach and being on the water.  Truly, it was love at first site, so after graduating from school, Sarah moved to Naples.  After two wonderful years together, Kevin asked Sarah to be his wife on her 25th birthday while the couple was sharing a romantic evening overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at twilight. 

When it came time to plan the wedding, the couple decided that they wanted something intensely romantic, dramatic and intimate.  The found everything that they were looking for at the renowned Park Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn, on the picturesque coastline of California.  Carmel is known for its world-class golf featuring Pebble Beach and Spy Glass golf courses, as well as a quaint, downtown area filled with art galleries and small cafes.  Sarah had fallen in love with the spot while vacationing there with her parents as a teenager and witnessing an outdoor wedding on the hotel balcony which overlooked the cliffy, white-capped Pacific Ocean.

Sarah planned each detail of the wedding to be simple, elegant and personalized for the 30 family members making the journey out to California.  The invitations and cake incorporated iridescent tones, pearl finishes and rich creams. The outdoor ceremony included a lemon leaf, eucalyptus and orchid garland draped over an archway framing the couple during the marriage ceremony.  Pale pink peonies, tulips, orchids and hydrangeas were tied all throughout the wedding in the table’s cape, cake decor, boutonnieres and bouquets.

The ceremony commenced at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on a perfect June day. Sarah chose a classic sweetheart cut Mon Cheri Couture gown and complimenting scalloped veil adorned with Swarovski crystals.  Kevin wore a timeless Ralph Lauren tuxedo and soft pink vest and tie; to accomplish the look of a classic gentleman. During the ceremony, Sarah's young cousins stood up in front of the congregation to read a special poem about the personal meaning of love and marriage to Kevin and Sarah.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed champagne, native Californian wines and artisan cheeses while listening to the live acoustic guitarist who had also played softly as Sarah graced down the aisle with her father.   The party then moved into an intimate reception area with a long conference style table, fireplace and windows lining the walls looking out towards the Pacific.  Their dinner menu reflected Californian cuisine, incorporating artichoke hearts, Dungeness crab, local sea bass, and lots and lots of wine!!    Dessert was a delicate, chocolate buttermilk cake filled with layers of chocolate panache and fresh raspberries, and covered in a white fondant with a cascade of orchids for decor.

The party lasted until 7:30, and the guests danced the night away to the sounds of Motown and Nat King Cole while looking out over the water and feeling the overwhelming love that a close knit family can collect when they join together in the joyous celebration of marriage.   

Venue:  Highlands Inn
Event Coordinator:  Erna Clay at Highlands Inn
Dress Designer:  Mon Cheri Couture
Florist:  Fleurish
Cake Designer:  Parker Lusseau Pastries
Classical Guitarist (during outdoor ceremony): Terrence Farrell
DJ:  Peter Burkhard
Caterer:  Highlands Inn

Real Wedding Feature: Rachel and Chris

 

Married on June 16, 2007
Vanderbilt Mansion in Oakdale, New York

Featured Wedding Image Slideshow

Rachel, 28, a Fashion Publicist and Founder of Invitation Chef, LLC and Chris, 27, a student at the Harvard Business School, met on a Sunday afternoon in a coffee shop on the Upper East side of Manhattan. After a cup of coffee and good conversation, they knew that they had both found something really special.  Chris and Rachel were engaged at midnight on their 1-year anniversary at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, NV overlooking the famous fountains which Chris had pre-arranged to play their anniversary song by Celine Deon. 

For her work, Rachel frequently attends the Oscars and Emmys to dress celebrities, plans high-profile events and produces extravagant wedding invitations for clients. When starting to plan their wedding, she wanted a world-class event where every detail made a statement. 

Chris and Rachel sought after a grand and enchanting setting and decided on the Vanderbilt Mansion in Oakdale, NY.  Oakdale is a relic of America's gilded age of a century ago, where powerful men of incredible wealth built South Shore gold coast mansions and dwelt in manorial splendor.  Of the most prominent was William K. Vanderbilt, who built the most noted mansion, Idle Hour, a 900-acre estate on the Connetquot River.  Today, the Vanderbilt Mansion serves as a venue for weddings and formal affairs.

To set the tone of the wedding, Rachel started with a simple pink rose and green hydrangea topiary as her theme. She wanted a whimsical, enchanting centerpiece for the tables and built everything from this idea.  Because Rachel wanted a very high-end and completely coordinated affair, she designed wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, menus, and programs adorned with silver ribbon that were intended to be used as small fans for guests during the outdoor ceremony.  Every piece was influenced by a rose pink and pistachio green theme. Her escort cards were adorned with a Lenox heart box and each of her tables were named after varieties of pink roses. Her bridesmaid dresses were also pistachio green. 

For the ceremony, Rachel wore a grand Henry Roth A-line gown and then changed dresses before the reception for dancing and mingling. To make a bold statement, Rachel also wore several carats of Hearts On Fire diamond couture jewelry and a vintage diamond brooch in her hair.

The ceremony was beyond romantic, the weather was perfect and Chris and Rachel were married in front of 140 of their closest family and friends.  Followed by an extravagant dinner and dancing, Rachel and Chris ended the night with coffee and a Venetian desert hour, finished with chocolate covered strawberries to send guests on their way from what many described as the best wedding they had ever attended.

Vendor Information:

Photography: Catherine Hall Studios, Photographers: Catherine Hall and Curt Littlecott
Placecards, invitiations, etc: Invitation Chef 
Diamonds:  Hearts on Fire
Wedding Gown: Henry Roth
Caterer: Lovin Oven
Florist: Lovin Oven Floral

Catherine Hall announces Real Weddings Section

I have decided to add new section to my current events site that reveals some of the stories behind my featured imagery.  Couples will share tips, stories, vendor lists, and much more about special day.  It is a great place for brides to come for information and inspiration.