I was completely oblivious to the entire planning scheme and was so shocked that I couldn’t stop cursing and shaking throughout the proposal.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Connor works in the golf industry for a manufacturer, and I (Kate) am a geologist. Connor and I love to spend quality time with each other and our two dogs. We enjoy taking the pups on walks around the neighbourhood, car rides with the windows down, or hanging out with family and friends. We also love sports – Connor likes to compete and win, and I (Kate) enjoy playing and having fun.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Connor: Kate and I first met years before we first got together. My brother and sister-in-law were two of her best friends, and we met at a house party in college. I can still remember the first time I saw her like it was yesterday. When she first walked into the house, she immediately grabbed my attention. I remember pulling my brother to the side and asking him, “Who is that?” And he told me, “You have no chance.” She was radiantly beautiful to, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her for the rest of the night. Weirdly enough, I think I was so intimated that I didn’t even talk to her. But I played the long game. Timing is everything.
Kate: We met several years ago at a house party in college through his younger brother and his girlfriend (wife now) – two of my bffs and roommates throughout college. My first impression of Connor was that he was Chandler’s older brother and that he was wild but super fun to be around.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Several years after meeting and running in the same circles, we decided to give it a chance for fun! Almost immediately, we couldn’t stay away from each other. Within a couple of weeks, we were seeing each other exclusively, and then Covid hit. We eventually ended up quarantining together, and the rest is history. We fell in love in early 2020 and haven’t looked back since.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
There was! Connor re-enacted a scene from my favourite movie – “10 Things I Hate About You” – when Heath Ledger sings “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” on the bleachers. I was completely oblivious to the entire planning scheme and was so shocked that I couldn’t stop cursing and shaking throughout the proposal. We celebrated shortly after at our house with our immediate families. It was so sweet and intimate. Fun fact – we danced to that same song for our first dance at our wedding. My favourite song of all time.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
The vision was COLOR! So much colour! We wanted it to be fun and funky but also classy and elegant. Our planner, Susanne, went above and beyond our expectations and pulled in so many fun and amazing vendors to help execute the day!
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
The florals! All of the beautiful flowers were the star of the show, truly. Dawn, our florist, is a visionary and so talented. She has an incredible eye, and we trusted her completely.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Thankfully, there wasn’t anything that happened the day of – mostly because our team was top-notch! However, one of my sisters was 9 months pregnant the week of our wedding. San Diego is a destination for us and most of our guests, so that meant she could not travel to be there with us. We were so sad to not be able to celebrate with her, but she was there in spirit! She ended up giving birth to our beautiful niece, Isabel, about a week later, and now we get to share celebrations in our favourite month with our favourite little girl!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Kate’s main outfits – I wore a beautiful Anne Barge wedding gown that had removable sleeves made from extra material. I kept the sleeves on for the ceremony and the beginning of the reception, but I ran hot, so they were quickly torn off to get the party started! For the after party, I slipped on some white Adidas lace shorts, my after part t-shirt and my comfy cream Hokas. I am a comfy girl at heart and could not wait to dance the night away in something less restricting. The shirts were custom made by us, and they said “After Par-tee Club” with a disco ball golf club and the location and date. So many of our guests have told us they still wear their t-shirts, which makes us so happy!
Connor’s main outfits – Connor wore a custom tux made by Harper + Jones. It fits him perfectly, and he is absolutely obsessed with it. He would wear it every day if he could. For the after-party, he slipped on a t-shirt as well but kept his tux pants on. We had a blast!
CEREMONY & RECEPTION Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, CA, @fairmontgranddelmar PHOTOGRAPHER Josie Brooks, @josiebrooksphotography VIDEOGRAPHER Rebecca Westerveld, @westcoastwed PLANNER & DESIGNER Susanne Duffy – Crown Weddings & Events, @crown_weddings FLORIST Dawn Weisberg – Tularosa Flowers, @tularosaflowers ENTERTAINMENT Reception: Band – Down Beat Agency, Project 21 Band, @downbeat.agency; DJ (After Party) Travis Banister, @djhevrock HIRE Lighting – Brilliant Event Lighting, @brillianteventlighting; Linens – Theoni Collection, @theonicollection; Tableware – Catalog Atelier, @catalogatelier; Tables/Chairs – Adore Folklore, @adorefolklore; Dancefloor – Chiavari Chairs of San Diego, @chiavari_chairs_of_san_diego; Bars/Welcome Signs/Escort Wall – Cavalier Bars and Backdrops, @cavalierbars; Tent & Decor – Hire Elegance, @hire_elegance CATERING Fairmont Grand Del Mar, @fairmontgranddelmar CAKE Heritage Desserts, @heritagedesserts STATIONERY Day of Wedding Paper Goods – Wendy Ware, @wendywaredesigner; Invitation Suite – Paperwhite Stationery Boutique, @paperwhitebr SIGNAGE Wendy Ware, @wendywaredesigner WEDDING BANDS & EARRINGS Lindsey Leigh Jewelry, @houstondiamondgirl BRIDAL DRESS Anne Barge, @annebarge BRIDAL SHOP I Do Bridal Couture Covington, @idobridalcouturecovington BRIDE’S SHOES Loeffler Randall, @loefflerrandall MAKEUP Abby Manuel, @abbymanuelmakeup HAIR Meagan Brown, @meaganmua FRAGRANCE Le Labo – Rose 31, @lelabofragrances TUX Harper + Jones, @harperandjones GROOM’S SHOES Johnston & Murphy, @johnstonmurphy VENUE WEDDING COORDINATOR Victoria Schroeder, @victoriaweddings
