Early last year I received an email from one of my beloved vendors, wedding coordinator Christine of Sweetly Memorable Weddings, inquiring about photographing her client Claudia’s wedding! Claudia and I got connected and instantly I was able to see what a joyful and happy heart she had! We got to connect via Skype before her wedding day, and she got to tell me a bit about her and Hector’s story!
“Hector and I first met each other in 9th grade P.E. I was with one of my close friends, when he came up to say “Hi” and she introduced us… When I first saw him, I thought he was cute, but he seemed very quiet.”
– Claudia
One day, that same friend who introduced the two of them told Claudia a bit of exciting news: Hector was going to ask her out!
“I got butterflies, and when it happened I said “Yes” without hesitation. Being so young though, the relationship didn’t last too long and we were on and off throughout high school until our senior year when we officially committed to each other. We were boyfriend and girlfriend 4 years before we got engaged!”
The special day that Hector proposed to Claudia was a day that was disguised by a group hangout! Their typical group of friends had planned a day to go the beach, but once the day arrived and the time to leave got closer and closer, each of their friends made excuses not to go! But Hector & Claudia decided to just make a day out of it and go by themselves on their own! Claudia had no idea what Hector was up to!
“We went to Santa Monica beach and went on the rides there and play some games. Finally, we ended up walking on the beach. We sat on the sand watching the waves. I love the beach!!! It is my favorite place to go! :) It started getting cold when we decided to leave, so when I got up, he stopped me and I thought it was to tell me I had sand all over, but he surprised me. I turned to look at him and he was on his knee with the ring in his hand telling me how much he loved me, and how much I meant to him, and asked me to marry him, and I tearfully said “Yes”!!!! Haha! I was so surprised, so ecstatic. [It was] just wonderful!”
These best friends ventured off into their next adventure, which leads us to their special day! It started out a bit overcast, but the sun kept making its appearances ever so often! It had just been a rainy week, but it cleared up a bit the day before! What a beautiful day it would turn out to be for Hector & Claudia! :)
Claudia was an absolutely radiant and joyful bride! :) I loved seeing all the laughter and love that surrounded her! Once she was all ready, we headed to the church, where she’d see her (now) husband!
As Claudia went into hiding, Hector and his groomsmen prepared, too! ;) And when everyone was ready, everything began!
Claudia & Hector’s beautiful ceremony included a talented mariachi band to help commemorate the day!
“When I first saw Hector at the church I thought he looked so handsome and that I was so excited to be calling him my husband!”
– Claudia
And just like that, their long awaited moment came to pass! :) I couldn’t help but smile from the back of my camera after seeing how truly joyful each of them were!
After the ceremony, Claudia & Hector were escorted to the gorgeous property of Oak Creek Golf Club, where I got to whisk away this gorgeous couple away to take some formal portraits! :)
After a couple shots with the bride & groom, we took a break to get some shots of them and their loved ones!
With the help of Claudia’s bridesmaids, she put on her floral crown to complete her attire for the reception! Such a gorgeous arrangement!
Once cocktail hour began for their guests, we got into golf carts and ventured off to capture more moments between the love birds!
Claudia shared a couple things with me about Hector, but the most prominent quality about Hector that I was able to witness and see was how caring he was! I could see how deeply he adored and cared for her, and how much she cared for him in return!
“I really love how he takes care of me and how he is really goal oriented and determined to work towards those goals.”
– Claudia
I loved seeing how silly Claudia was around Hector, and how easily she made him laugh!
Claudia’s feet were a bit sore, so Hector, being the gentleman he is picked her up and assisted her back to the golf cart! Haha! It gave me ample opportunity to photograph the DIY “I Do” detailing Claudia did on her shoes!
As we ventured further into the golf course, we found a sweet pond filled with water lilies!
“I am so grateful about some of the simple things he does for me like when I get home from work late, he has dinner prepared. Also, how he tries to give me what whatever I need and how attentive he is to my feelings.”
– Claudia
After wandering around the golf club, we headed back to the reception, where everything was beautifully set up! The sun started to peek through more and more as the day pressed on!
One of my favorite parts of wedding receptions is hearing the toasts! With Claudia’s sister and Hector’s brother being the MOH & Best Man, I loved hearing how naturally Claudia & Hector fit into one another’s families!
Meanwhile, this sweet, happy little boy couldn’t stop moving and running around! Haha!
After the toasts, Claudia & Hector changed into comfier customized Converses they had made for their special day! Such a good idea! :)
Good thing they did! Because we transitioned right into the Money Dance! Their family and friends were so supportive of the sweet couple! The line just never got smaller!
As the sun set, the night continued on to more festivities! :)
“I have so many favorite parts of the wedding day! It was just so perfect!! But I think it was between the shoe game, when we had our friends asking us questions to see if our answered matched, or when were just danced the night away!!”
– Claudia
HAHA! I love when the groom has the guts to cake the bride! Loved seeing how silly they naturally were together! :)
For the first time ever, I got to witness a fun tradition in which the single ladies (and later the single men) got to tunnel through and make rounds around the reception floor before the traditional bouquet and garter toss! It was a lot of fun!
And so the sweet couple danced the night away surrounded by their close friends and family!
The one piece of advice Claudia gives to those of you wedding planning?
“Some advice I have for people who are wedding planning and engaged is get a wedding coordinator, at least one for the day of is great! So helpful, gives you time to enjoy your wedding day!!!!”
– Claudia
CONGRATULATIONS CLAUDIA & HECTOR! :)
Happy Friday!
Wedding Coordinator // Sweetly Memorable Weddings & Events
Hair & Makeup // Studio MM&B
Floral Arrangements // In Flower
Wedding Ceremony Venue // St. Margarette Mary Catholic Church
Wedding Reception Venue // Oak Creek Golf Club