Chris & Claire - Sicilian Inspired Summer Wedding

Claire & Chris have an amazing time together – they laugh, play and poke fun at each other, and every interaction is bursting with love. They are also AMAZING parents! Their kids were such a huge part of their engagement session as well as their Sicilian inspired late summer wedding. On both occasions they had an abundance of patience & love, with a touch of hilarious sarcasm.

The First Dance…

Chris & Claire had met before that night in Tahoe when they danced the night away at a Mickey Avalon concert, but that was when the song and dance of their love truly began.

Five years later, with two kids and a lot of dancing under their belts, they returned to Tahoe for a family vacation and, unknown to Claire, a romantic lakeside proposal. Their engagement is a whole other story for a whole other time, but suffice it to say that this man knows his way to his woman’s heart!

A Sicilian Inspired Late Summer Wedding

The wedding was held on family property in Geyserville – a place where most of Chris’s family has gotten married as well. I’m telling you, it was gorgeous. Plus we had a perfect summer evening, with the purest light. It was an incredibly romantic backdrop for tying the knot.

Claire was a stunning bride. Her Pronovias gown was perfection, pure elegance and grace – every detail was just right for her, and the cathedral length veil really took it to the next level.

The decor and color scheme were so light and sunny, with Sicilian lemons all around to honor the groom’s heritage. Lemon branches on the tables were for good luck.

Love, All Around

The ceremony itself was held in a circle of rose petals, surrounded by friends and family. So incredibly romantic! The bride and groom said their vows barefoot, grounded to the earth as they promised their love.

A sweet father-daughter moment happened when the ring bearer (their daughter) was supposed to walk up the aisle and saw everyone staring at her. She got shy and wouldn’t walk; her cousin helped her get started and then papa Chris met her, hugged her and carried her the rest of the way. There was not a dry eye in the house!

And More Dancing

The reception was incredible, the food to die for, the drinks – oh my! They also provided disposable cameras for guests to take pics so they can develop them to keep as mementos, which is always so much fun. And I loved the crafty mason jars with handles, marked with the wedding date – they served as drink glasses, escort cards and guest favors!

But the best part was Hot Pocket band – AMAZING!!!! Chris & Claire used to hear them play at 1300 Fillmore, back when they were pre-parent party animals, so when they got engaged they knew they had to have the band at their wedding!

Congratulations, Chris & Claire. Thanks for letting me be a part of your beautiful love story and your incredible Sicilian inspired late summer wedding!