Photobooth: PHOTOBOOTH PRO
On occasion, we have a groom that does the majority of the planning. Not only are most grooms focused on the details, but mainly on the financial aspect. Groom's tend to be negotiators and want the most value for their hard earned dollar. I think he was misjudged by being given the nickname groomzilla because this man has nothing but a big heart (a little foreshadowing of the photos ahead)!
Typically I pin on the boutonnieres and leave the gentleman alone, but once I saw Chris dressing his son, I took a little break and hung out to watch this touching moment. Daddy and grandpa changing diapers and tying shoes. I had to joke with Chris, "I bet you never imagined that there would be a diaper involved on your wedding day!"
And then.... The family first look!!! Yep, I stayed to watch that one too.
This isn't all about Chris! Bree has a pretty tough exterior as well, but when the photographers showed up, suddenly you could see the emotions all over her face. Yes, I got to see that too! I think she was just ready to finally make this family official.
Typically when you see "Newport Beach" attached to the price tag, the fees jump, but this man wheeled and dealed until his expectations were met and did it all within their budget. The first gamble he took was booking a venue that was under renovation with promises of its completion just months before their wedding date. Yes, they had no idea what this venue would look like!!!
This was only the 12th event that had taken place in the new Rose Garden at the Newport Beach Marriott, and the very first to utilize the site for both a ceremony and reception. I think both the Marriott and the Table7 team were both anxious and excited to be the first because if we screwed up, it was only the biggest day of Bree and Chris' lives, right! With a team of staff waiting in the wings, as soon as the last guest was up and headed to the cocktail site, we were off. I am going to brag, we nailed the turnover in 30 minutes!!! Enough time left for a round of high fives!
There were no preset tables waiting in the wings, this was a full setup, complete with dance floor and I have to give a huge thanks to the Marriott staff, my team and especially the florist and bakery that had a specific window to finish their tasks. This is what teamwork is all about:
Back to Bree and Chris, the ceremony:
This wine box ceremony was a bit different from others I have seen. Each bottle represented something from their past and to celebrate their future: Dom Perignon to open on their first anniversary, a 2011 Caymus (the year their son was born) and to be opened on their 5th anniversary and finally a 2007 Chateau Montelena Cab (the year they started dating) to be opened on their 10th anniversary.
I loved this, the triple shoe change: one for photos, one for the ceremony and one for dancing...
Goal oriented, as most men are, Chris wanted to make sure that he had "THE" photos to submit to Cigar Afficiandado Magazine. We are crossing our fingers for him!
When opportunity strikes, we sometimes get to sneak into the honeymoon suite and create a bit more romance!
Happy forever you three!
