Sarah and Ryan are the kind of all-in, all-out, fun-loving couple that makes me remember exactly why I love this job so much. They make an incredible team, surround themselves with incredible people, and know how to throw an incredible wedding!
The Call of the Sea
This lovely, hilarious, adorable couple met at the Coast Guard Academy, where they shared the same major and spent oodles of time geeking out over science, the ocean the Coast Guard and each other. Their love for the sea could be seen in so many details of the wedding, from the location (right by the ocean) to their unity sand pouring ceremony and cutting the cake with a Cadet Bayonet (a ridiculous dagger-like sword that is issued by the Coast Guard Academy for formal drill ceremonies, which Sara “accidentally” kept after they graduated).
When it’s Right, You Know
Sarah and Ryan went their separate ways after graduating; Sarah went backpacking in Alaska and then made her way back to San Diego, where she and Ryan fell in love eaxctly the way you’d think they would; hard and fast. After their first summer together, they continued their relationship from 2913 miles apart, flying six hours one way to spend long weekends together, stay up late canoodling on the phone (or as these modern kids do, on skype). When it’s right, you know.
A Catamaran Resort Wedding
Because they met and fell in love in San Diego, they chose the Catamaran Resort & Spa, where Sarah once taught yoga classes on the lawn and in the very spot where they used to ride by on their bikes and watch other people tie the knot. They planned the event to take place around sunset, Sarah’s favorite time of day, which also inspired the navy blue and coral color scheme with gold accents. And yes, that’s the Pacific Ocean you see in the background in some of the pictures. Mother Nature pulled out all the stops for their special day, and both the weather and the sunset were stunning! A big shout-out to their wedding coordinator, Mandy Burstein, who pulled every perfect detail together.
From the Ends of the Earth
Since so many of their friends are also in the Coast Guard, Sarah and Ryan had guests from at least 20 different states, from Alaska to North Carolina. I’ve got to say, this may have been my favorite wedding parties EVER – of course, such a fun couple would have the most awesome friends, but this group was over the top! Coast Guard weddings are pretty amazing because it is such a fun and exciting reason to gather all of your best friends (who rarely get to see each other) in one place to party, and party they did!
Something Old, Something New
You know how I feel about traditions and making them just right for you! Sarah’s parents had given out sunglasses as favors at their own wedding, and Sarah and Ryan carried on the practice. Along with the sunglasses they included sweets from important places in their lives – Smarties from New Jersey, maple candies from Vermont, Ghirardelli chocolates from San Francisco. And for a totally unique twist to tie in Ryan’s obsession with swordfish (which I hear he has a tatoo of…eh hem) coral bowtie had tiny swordfish & squids on it, and his gifts to his groomsmen were long navy ties with little fish on them (both from Vineyard Vines).
California Beauty
Sarah’s dress was not only stunning on her but was from the Peace & Love Collection by Amy Kushel, a talented local designer based in San Francisco. Belli Belli Salon & Boutique, where the ladies went for their hair and makeup, was the same salon Sarah’s roommates and I used to go when she lived in the neighborhood. Talk about nostalgia! Her headpiece was a gift from her “fairy” godmother.
“Bridechilla”
I had never heard this term before but it’s my new mantra…she was the complete and total embodiment of a Zen bride which was perfect because their fantabulous videogragher/yoga teacher/zen spirit actually tailors her whole business around the Zen Bride, from the 7am yoga class she held the morning of the wedding to her peaceful demeanor. We all made an amazing team!
Good Food, Good Drink, Good Dance Moves
At the reception, Sarah and Ryan served beer from Ballast Point, their favorite local San Diego brewery. They had specialty cocktails that were a huge hit. Trang Huynh of The French Gourmet made their beautiful wedding cake and of course everything else was delicious and delectable!
Then there was the dance party, the epic, never ending, sing at the top of your lungs dance party!!! We had such an amazing time!!! “Whip & Nae Nae”
Congratulations on your forever honeymoon, you two lovebirds! Thanks for letting me in on the celebration of your love. May laughter, headstands, awesome dance moves, adventures and romantic chemistry follow you wherever life takes you!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoox
SCHMID HAPPENS 11.7.15 from Sarah Schmid on Vimeo.
VENDORS
Thank you to all the amazing vendors who made this day an absolute success and most of all the Micaela Joy Photography my out of this world amazing second shooter!
Venue: Catamaran Resort & Spa
Day-Of-Coordinator: Mandy Burstein
Wedding Dress: Amy Kushel
Makeup & Hair: Belli Belli Salon & Boutique
Bride’s Shoes: Ted Baker London
DJ: Adam Loatman, JMC Events
Florist: Fatima Kelly, San Diego Floral Design
Cake: Trang Huynh, The French Gourmet
Groom & Groomsmen Tuxes: Joseph Abboud, Men’s Wearhouse
Groom & Groomsmen Ties: Vineyard Vines
Videographer: Janalyn Yanover, Horizon Light Photography
Officiant: Kevin Schatell, kschatell@gmail.com