Wow! What a year it has been! It’s been too long since my last blog, and I’m excited to finally have some time to catch up on all the sweet stories of love I’ve had the pleasure of capturing!
Now, I’m really really excited to be sharing this one as the first wedding since the summer! You might remember Arnold & Jessica’s sweet sunflower engagement session from earlier this year!
These two met at church, working on the media team with one another!“I was attracted by [Jessica’s] love for God, and thought she was very beautiful. I remember I would accidentally catch myself staring at her during homegroup LOL. She was also very willing to serve and was down to help out using her talents (design & photography)…”
Jessica loved his “loyal, goofy, sweet” personality, his family oriented nature, and the fact that he was like an open book! “ I think it’s really refreshing to be with someone who has nothing to hide and doesn’t scheme or over think things…”
They began as friends until one day, Arnold decided to ask Jess out for ice cream, then lunch, and so forth & so on until their relationship officially finally began! ;) He then surprised Jessica with his proposal in a small park in her complex with a friend! You can read more about their sweet beginnings in their engagement blog! :)
This leads us up to their beautiful wedding day in Malibu! The weather was beautiful! It was a bright and beautiful sunshine-y day, and I definitely had tears periodically throughout it!
Jessica & Arnold’s wedding was held at the beautiful Saddlerock Ranch & Vineyard in Malibu! They got ready nearby in Malibu and arrived at the ranch a little while before John & I arrived! I loved getting to meet their fun bridal party & sweet family!
Jessica looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress! You’d never guess that she got her dress only a week before their wedding day!
“Funny story – Jess bought her dress a couple of months before the wedding, but she didn’t LOVE it. I asked if it was strapless (I like strapless dresses, lol) and she said no – and I think I caused her to stress out. So literally a week before the wedding, Jess found the perfect dress in her size and she didn’t even have to touch it up. But when we had our first look, she was so beautiful, it didn’t matter what dress she wore… But the dress was also amazing too :D ” // Arnold
It was the sweetest thing to see these two see one another for the first time during their First Look! Arnold was so overjoyed to see his beautiful bride! :)
“It was nice to finally see him during our first look since we weren’t able to see each other all morning while getting ready. I remember feeling really excited and thinking he looked really handsome in his suit!“ // Jessica
I loved watching these two together. You can tell that they sincerely love one another through their actions and gazes, and it’s so great to see how much they make one another laugh and smile!
Their bridal party was so much fun, too! What a testimony of how they love others & how they love them! :)
Jessica’s bridesmaids dresses were such a beautiful dusty blue color! Funnily enough it’s what she started her planning with!
“I don’t think we really had an aesthetic theme. We actually didn’t have a specific color palette in mind initially. I started by choosing the bridesmaids’ dress colors and for florals I just chose what I was naturally drawn to. I was worried that everything would look mismatched because I wasn’t really intentional about following a cohesive color scheme but thankfully everything somehow came together beautifully and matched! I guess our color scheme turned out to be dusty light blue, light peachy coral, with pops of bright orange. We just wanted to celebrate with friends and family and give God the glory for our relationship and for bringing us to where we are today.”
How she planned might seem unconventional, but I love how beautifully everything came together, and how focused it really was!
Their coordinator Nellie of Pleasant Surprise Events did an amazing job setting up and getting all the details together! I asked Jess how wedding planning went, and she said it wasn’t too bad!
“There was a lot to consider and take care of but hiring Pleasant Surprise Events gave me this feeling of assurance that everything would fall into place in the end. Nellie (the head wedding coordinator) is amazing! I had full confidence in her and her team so wedding planning wasn’t all that bad with their help!“
“I feel like Jess was very chill about everything, which helped planning be fun and relaxing.”
Arnold did help, too! He put in his two cents about two things in particular!
“…I think the only things I requested was a navy suit and dancing down to ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’.”
‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ sets the tone to how their wedding day went! I loved that everyone–including Arnold’s parents–danced down the isle! John & I had so much fun watching what a joyous celebration their entire ceremony was! They wanted it to be a celebration–and a celebration it was! :)
EVERYONE danced down the isle!
One of Jessica’s memories was “being up at the altar and looking back at all our loved ones there supporting us. It was a great feeling and I made sure to take a mental picture cause I didn’t want to forget it!”
She didn’t really have a favorite part, though! “…I honestly loved the whole day! Now I understand why married couples wish they could do it all over!” :)
Watching these two had such a beautiful & meaningful wedding day. I definitely had some tears in my eyes! :)
I asked what are some ways they found they’ve grown leading up to their wedding day, and I loved their responses!
“I think we’ve grown in love! Haha “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” We’ve definitely grown in patience, we are learning to be more intentional with each other and we have learned (with much practice) to be quicker to apologize and to forgive.” // Jessica
1 Corinthians 13 definitely holds one of my favorite verses about love. John & I can also relate to how much this verse has both helped and challenged us in our journey together, too! Arnold’s response also correlated to hers!
“We’ve both matured a lot and have grown to know each other better. Of course it’s still difficult at times, but I feel like I know how to calm situations down better.” //Arnold
These two wrote their own vows & yes, I definitely shot them all teary eyed. The most beautiful relationships to me are ones that cling onto hope, grow & flourish in love. :’)
Instead of doing a sand ceremony, these two watered a plan that’ll be going into their new home! I loved that they changed this part of the ceremony, and how this change in traditions can also symbolizes their growth together, too! :)
“[Throughout our time of dating], we have overcome ourselves! Our own pride and selfishness. Of course we aren’t perfect but I can see how we have grown in humility to love and serve one another more selflessly.”
Arnold’s share about what he’s learned over the years…
“I learned that I can’t be selfish and think about what I always want. Even though I want to play games all day or just have a lazy day and not do anything, most of the time, I have to die to my flesh because Jess needs me.“
I’m happy to hear that these are things they’ve grown in as they embark on this new journey together! YAY! :)
Bah! What a beautiful day! :) After their ceremony, they signed their certificates and we gave them some time with their family & bridal party! :) John & I headed over and saw the beautiful reception Jessica & Nellie planned & prepared! In all its beauty, I loved most the energy & joy that filled the tables as Jessica & Arnold’s loved ones awaited their grand entrance! :)
It kicked off with dancing into the “room” once again, and I don’t think anyone could keep a smile from forming onto their faces! :)
The sun began to set as they entered into their First Dance to “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke. :)
We snuck off to take a couple photos with the remaining sun, and I got to give them some space to just enjoy the fact that they just said their I do’s! :)
“There’s a lot [of ways Arnold makes me feel loved]! Most aren’t grand gestures but small things like good night & good morning kisses, waking up early to let the dogs out so I don’t have to get up early, and I’m not sure if he’d want me to share this but we have this inside joke about an exclusive business he runs (SPArnold) LOL Exclusive cause I’m his only customer haha he provides head massages, back rubs, and sometimes dries my hair after showers when I’m too tired! The fact that he willingly offers to do these things for me makes me feel really loved.” // Jessica
“I really appreciate the little things Jess does for me. She always preps me meals, she’ll buy small snacks for me, and just care and love on me when I’m feeling sad or discouraged.” // Arnold
We headed back to the reception after a while, back to one of Arnold’s favorite memories of their wedding day!
“[My favorite memory from our wedding day was] just sitting next to my best friend w/ all the people that we love.” // Arnold
And again, the laughter, joy & celebration ensued all around them! :)
Everything prepared for these two was so filled with fun! So along with the sweet happy tears, there was also laughing tears throughout the night. I was a mess. ;) Haha!
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN Jessica & Arnold! I’m so happy for the both of you and the new journey of marriage you’re on now! :)
Checking in, I asked how they’ve been since their wedding day! & I’m happy to hear they’ve been doing well!
“It’s been great! We already had our big fight that everyone goes through (haha) and I feel like we’re just going uphill now.” //Arnold
“It’s been fun! I love living life together and building our home together. After the wedding we felt like we were relieved of a huge project that we had been working on for months so we just kind of went into relaxation/recuperation mode for a while.
We weren’t really in a rush to furnish our new house because we wanted to keep things clean and simple so we’re just kind of acquiring new pieces as we stumble upon them. We did however get a puppy shortly after we got married! I feel like the first two months of taking care of our new pup gave us a small glimpse of what parenthood may be like so we’ve just been enjoying married life without kids for now!” // Jessica
To all my engaged friends, I loved the encouragement they both gave to you as you wedding plan!
” Don’t stress! It’s like planning a huge party for your friends and family! Food and loved ones will be around so that’s practically a guarantee that it’ll be a good time.” // Jessica
“Don’t stress out about it, have fun, enjoy the ride.” // Arnold
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Wedding Coordinator // Nellie @ Pleasant Surprises
Florist // Janet @ Robinson’s Flowers