Redwoods, Rosewood, Romance

Megan and Will have known each other for little more than a year, but once they found each other, it was just a matter of time until the wedding planning was in motion! This modern day fairy tale couple, met on-line, so believing strongly in the power of on-line connections, they also chose the venues for their Ceremony and Reception on line!

The Rehearsal at Portola Valley Presbyterian Church; Megan's father, a Presbyterian minister serving in Tennessee, was the officiant for Will and Megan's wedding

Closer view of the rehearsal, with Will's mom recording the action, and Megan's dad helping practice the vows...a family oriented rehearsal, for sure!

The beauty of the redwoods, creating an awe inspiring backdrop for ceremonies at Portola Valley Presbyterian Church, won Will and Megan over immediately, just from the photos on the website; and after perusing the

Rosewood Sand Hill website, and closely examining the menu of Madera, the in-house restaurant for Rosewood Sand Hill, they were ready to book both venues!

Another romantic aspect of these inspired decisions, is that they were made from their laptops, within 48 hours of when Will proposed, on a tiny island in the Caribbean, where they were vacationing with their families.

The real thing! Will's face lights up with happiness as he sees his beautiful Megan coming down the aisle on her father's arm!

After the ceremony, there was plenty of time for some photos in the redwoods behind the church.

Rosewood Sand Hill became the location for all of the formal family and wedding party photos, which were done before the ceremony, after Will and Megan had their "first look", and private portraits. Many couples choose to see each other before the ceremony, so that formal family photos do not take them away from their guests after the ceremony. I can recommend this option completely, and so will Megan and Will!

Will, Megan, Megan's identical twin sister, Katie the matron of honor, and her adorable children, Finn and Siri, the Ringbearer and Flower girl.

Big brother Finn was always ready for a Siri hug; I love having children in weddings, because they help us all "lighten up" and realize what a wonderful celebration we are sharing!

The lounge of the Rosewood Sand Hill proved to be a lovely backdrop for the formal and casual photos arranged by Lara White, of Geoff White Photography. The neutral colors and relaxed elegance of the Rosewood Sand Hill went perfectly with the colors chosen by Megan and Will for their wedding celebration.

Lara capturing a shot of Megan and her father, the officiant!

Jean, pinning a boutonneire on one of the groomsmen for the wedding party photos.

J Floral Art designed the beautiful flowers for Megan and Will's wedding; this combination of apricot/peach tones, soft yellows, and pale green is absolutely my favorite combination of colors! Plus sweet peas, tulips, and garden roses are three of my favorite flowers! Yummmmm!

Now, we are at the church, and ready to begin that all important walk down the aisle with Father and Bride...always my favorite moment of the day!

As a tribute to the Scottish heritage in Megan's family, a bagpiper played for the entrance of the bride, and the exit of the bride and groom. "Ode to Joy", the same music played at my wedding recessional many years ago, announced the newly married couple to the world. A few tears from the coordinator weren't noticed in all the excitement of that moment!

After photos in the redwoods, it is time for Megan and Will to head for the limo, and the short ride to Rosewood Sand Hill. Justin Ferar, of Weddings on Film, captured every moment of the day, including this very private one after all the guests and family have left for the reception.

Megan and Will watching their He Said/She Said surprise film

During the reception in the elegant Ballroom at Rosewood Sand Hill, Will and Megan surprised their guests with a video, filmed and edited by Justin and Georgina of Weddings on Film, several weeks prior to the wedding. In about 15 minutes, Megan and Will shared how they met, who they are, and how their love developed in such a short time, as well as introducing their beloved cat, and wishing Will's father a surprise Happy 80th Birthday!

Since the families and guests at the wedding really did not know each other before Megan and Will met, this was an opportunity for Will and Megan to introduce themselves to a cross section of new friends, and family members, in a very personal and entertaining way.

Georgina Szabo and Justin Ferrar, the husband and wife team who make up Weddings on Film, were at the back of the room, to enjoy seeing their work on the big screen, and watching the guests, as well as the bride and groom, delight in the unfolding of a true love story, told by the ones who fell in love.

So when you bring together Redwoods, Rosewood, and Romance, it really is like a fairy tale, and I was there to be a part of the magic, by keeping the magic on time and in place! Megan and Will report that they really lost track of time, even though we had many important transitions throughout the day, both in location and activity. Maybe I am a bit of a Fairy Godmother, in the background on a wedding day, and that role makes me smile! Congratulations to the Prince and Princess, Will and Megan!