Patrice+Stephan - Pleasanton, CA - Palm Events Center in the Vineyard Wedding

All. Smiles. All. Day. That’s what we remember most from this one. That isn’t to say that Patrice and Stephan’s vows weren’t moving, or their reception wasn’t an absolute party (it was!), but the joy in everything that this couple did and said was overwhelming in the best way possible. That said, we can’t say we were surprised — they both grew as people and professionals before meeting each other, and have been great partners in life ever since.

Arriving on site as the the wedding party prepared, we were greeted by suitefuls of people really feeling the pending celebration — lots of bopping to music on a Bluetooth speaker, swigs off the groomsmen’s gifts, and confidence that the whole party looked good. We wouldn’t expect anything less than meticulously fit gowns and suits for Patrice, Stephan, and their wedding party — no doubt a valuable side effect of smushing their professional precision as engineers with their sharp personal styles.  We loved that they both decided to each bring in a “non-traditional” member to their groups bridesmaids and groomsmen, a move that strikes us as introducing a pleasing break in the pattern with an unexpected symmetry.

Their ceremony and reception The Palm Event Center in the Vineyard could not have been a smoother affair; a lot of credit goes to the staff at the venue, but just as much to Patrice and Stephan for keeping the celebration of their union and the happiness inherent in it at its center.  We found that this thread ran through everyone present, resulting in a lot beautiful moments as everyone in the crowd felt the excitement of Patrice meeting her parents down the aisle, the weight of their vows, and the release of the grand entrance. As much as we loved experiencing Patrice and Stephen with their crowd, they were pure magic on their own. It didn’t take much at all to get some beautiful shots of them — step 1) bring them to a nice spot, step 2) take an awesome picture.  Pretty fantastic.

Congratulations to Patrice and Stephan and their wonderful day, we were honored to be there!

Hair/Makeup Kathryn Horen & Team (@_bayareabeautiful_) || Dress Allure Bridals (@AllureBridals) from Flares Bridal (@FlaresBridal)|| Florals Delford West Flowers (@DelfordWestFlowers)|| Videography Wedlock Cinema (@Wedlockcinema) || DJ/MC  @Rhythmix.sounds || Venue Palm Event Center in the Vineyard

Alicia + Murat - Pleasanton, CA - Palm Events Center Wedding

Picking up a life in Miami to moving it to the Bay Area sounds exhausting; the last thing we’d want to do is plan a wedding in the wake of home hunting, box-unpacking, Ikea-haunting, and Target-running.  We couldn’t imagine doing it, but Alicia and Murat made it work and had us along for their beautiful wedding at the Palm Event Center.

Alicia and Murat’s wedding was emblematic of what we love most about weddings; the union of families over the connection the bride and groom have made with each other.  Murat being from Turkey and Alicia from Peru and meeting in Miami inherently made their party a great mix of people that was made that much better by the heart this couple brought to their day.

It’s difficult to forget Murat’s mother looking up at him lovingly as she walked him down the aisle and the ear to ear smile that Alicia flashed as her father walked her down the aisle and passed her to Murat.   We could not have been happier for their respective families as they spoke glowingly of the new son or daughter they were gaining that day, which punctuated the overall togetherness that was felt.  Alicia’s father delivered a heartfelt speech in Spanish that was translated by her brother; not everyone in attendance spoke the language, but there was still a sense understand him as he welcomed another son to his family.

Special mention must be made for Murat’s childhood best friend and Best Man, who ran Murat and the crowd through the full spectrum between joyous laughter and nostalgic tears.  It came as no surprise that the authenticity and heart that both Alicia and Murat have demonstrated in all our dealings with them was present in all those who love them.  

After treating the crowd to a choreographed first dance, Alicia and Murat let the party onto the floor;  it was charming that after the [appropriate] lovey-doveyness of their ceremony and program, that they put on display why they work so well together.  Given all the distractions of friends and family congratulating and celebrating them, they still found eachother on the dance floor again and again; i.e. given all the choice in the world, they of course choose eachother.

We love that we were there for these two, they’re a great affirmation of getting married and making it a party!