Lauren and Jonathan

Today's real wedding is brought to us by Justin Wright Photography. Lauren and Jonathan were married April 23, 2011 at Historic Cedarwood Mansion.

How did you meet?  We met my first week moving to San Diego. My best friend and I had just traveled cross country from NY and were optimistic about going out and meeting new people so we went to a bar in Pacific Beach to watch the San Diego Chargers game. JJ walked in and I said to myself, “I’m going to be with him.” I felt an instant connection and after finally meeting, we became best friends for a month before officially dating.

How was the question popped? JJ and I had just traveled cross country from California to New York for his new job and stopped in Syracuse (My hometown) for Christmas and time with the family before moving to NYC. His mom flew in on December 23, 2009, handed him the ring and asked him when he was going to do it. He replied, “I am not sure yet.” JJ walked into the next room where I sat in a bright blue comfortable sweatshirt relaxing on the couch. He asked me to come outside. I replied, “No babe, Its cold outside.” He looked at me with a smirk, “come on I never get to see snow.” After a minute of pondering back and forth about whether or not to go outside, I agreed. The air was crisp and the snow was falling lightly and you could hear nothing around us. He began telling me how much he loves me and I kept responding, “I know.” JJ often tells me how much he loves me so I did not think anything of it. Once he faced me I knew something was up and it all happened so fast. He slowly got on one knee in the snow and asked me to marry him. Completely shocked I yelled out, “what are you doing?” but then of course answered yes. We celebrated the day with a bottle of Don Peron he got from a friend on his birthday and amazing family. 

What made you laugh? JJ’s uncle married us and before the wedding asked for us to write down a few things that we love about one another for them to help include in the ceremony. I wrote down those things and without thinking, I started to write down my favorite memories and how we are as a couple. This included the amount of time we spend talking throughout our days (JJ’s uncle is one of his bosses along with his two others as wedding guests) and how we would dance around our room getting ready with champagne. JJ’s family is pretty religious and when I told JJ what I wrote he laughed and thought, “Well this will be interesting.” Sure enough, the amount of time we talk throughout the day was included in the ceremony. JJ had a look of “oh boy” and I just laughed at myself I always do.

What made you cry?  I did not expect to cry walking down the aisle because of all the adrenaline, but sure enough I managed to tear up when I first saw JJ. The other time I cried was during my reception during the Father/Daughter dance. But this I knew would happen. We danced to a non-traditional beautiful song, “Dream” by Priscilla Ahn. At one point I had to tell my father to stop talking because I could not stop crying.

How did you bring your vision to life? I got a big scrapbook and started ripping out all the pictures that stood out to me in Bridal magazines. Dresses, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, bouquets, table arrangements, etc. I looked them over and was able to figure out themes, colors, and the look I was going for. I also had a specific type of venue in mind but California and new York did not give me exactly what I wanted. I had found cedarwood by searching online and finding that perfect venue.

What was the most important thing to you about your wedding? Photography. I enjoy taking pictures myself and knew these were the images I would have forever of the best day of my life and I wanted them to be perfect. I chose Justin based off of his blog and website only and am so happy I did.

Where did you splurge? The Dress. While scrapbooking my dream wedding I had found this dress in a couture photo shoot and was in awe of it. I never thought I would actually find it, I assumed it was one of those dresses that never existed for normal people. But as I was flipping through my book at the wedding salon, the woman nonchalantly goes, “oh we have that.” It was fate. That was my dress.

What's the best advice you can give a bride and groom planning their wedding? It is a lot of fun yet can be very stressful so plan ahead. Really budget your expenses and figure out what is most important to spend your money on. What people commented on at my wedding: Food, Venue, music, attire (dress), and photographer. If you do not have the most amazing centerpiece, no one will remember!

What do you look forward to most as Mr. & Mrs.?  OR  What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage? The first few months have been surprisingly easy. Everyone has their bad days but we really have never been better. I look forward to sharing my life and having a family with my favorite person.

Photographer Justin Wright Photography

Wedding Planner Cedarwood Weddings

Caterer A Dream Come True Catering

Florist Cedarwood Weddings

Cake Patty Cakes

Invitations & Calligraphy Designs in Paper

Bridal Shop Juliana’s (Rochester NY), Monique Lhuillier

Bridal Party Attire Jim Hjelm Couture (Bridesmaids) JF Ferrar suits (groom and groomsmen)

Ceremony and Reception Location Historic Cedarwood Mansion

Transportation Signatures Limousine (For Bride/Groom and Parties), Reggie Slaughter “Chauffer to the stars” (old car for end of night)

Videographer Catchlight Cinema Videography and Photography

Music/Entertainment Frank Flemming, DJ Mad dog

Rentals and Décor Cedarwood Weddings

Officiate/Minister Joseph Colace (JJ’s Uncle)

Hair Trim Classic Barber and Salon (Angelica)

Makeup Jayme Lynn Kinder (NYC makeup artist)

Ceremony music Rob Higginbotham and Rebecca Baumbach (Guitar and Violinist)