Kern County Museum Wedding: Katie + Jon

As a little girl she ran with the boys, as a teenager she traveled the world. Katie never allowed much time for boys to be a part of her life. However, there was always one boy that took the extra time to give her a phone call, write her a letter, take her to dinner when he was home visiting from the military, but she always said "we are 'just' friends". After Katie spent a year in Korea teaching English to kids, her and Jon's paths crossed again only this time it would be for forever. They spent time together enjoying their friendship, which quickly turned into good friends who enjoyed spending time going on adventures together, and eventually developed into feelings a bit stronger. They spent the next year and a half falling deeply in love until Jon finally popped the question on one of their many adventures in August.

The planning of the wedding flew by and before we all could blink our eyes the day was here; the day our dad would give away his youngest daughter to the man of her dreams.  We all couldn't have asked for a more beautiful January day. The sun was warm and glowing. The sky was crisp and blue. Every single moment of the day flew by flawlessly and effortlessly. It was the perfect day for Jon and Katie!

I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Jon I am so excited to call you my brother-in-law. I look forward to my future of getting to know you, and having another amazing man my kids are able to call their uncle. Katie, since I epically failed at a toast due to major stage fright, I would like to say I am so proud of you for finally finding the man you could spend the rest of your life with. You are an amazing woman and I look up to your strength and drive for life. I love you and wish you the best marriage you can possibly have! Thanks for trusting me to not only be your maid of honor, but to capture your special day.

Fun fact Ruby Montana did mine and Katie's hair 12 years ago for my wedding so of course it was only necessary to have her do it again for Katie's wedding. I have to say I love the style these days much more than the style from 12 years ago!

Megan just got married in November and did an absolutely fabulous job on her own hair and makeup I asked her if we could hire her for my sister's wedding. She did an amazing job and I am so glad she was able to spend the morning with us.

Katie gave Jon a very special gift prior to their first look. While Jon was waiting for Katie to arrive he took a moment to read and open his gift.

My favorite time of the day : First Look! This has to be one of the most memorable moments I ever experience at any wedding. The sentiment and feeling behind this special time just between the bride and groom before the craziness of the day begins is unexplainable. It really helps them take a moment to reflect on how amazing this day is going to be and provides great opportunities to truly capture the feelings when a bride and groom first lay eyes on each other. So so special!

They were so cute, lots of tears of emotions were shed during their first look, but it was so special and I am sure they don't regret it one bit!

Jon and Katie put God first not only in their own lives, but hold him first above their marriage so they took a moment to pray together before stepping forward into vowing to love each other for the rest of their lives.

Just a little fun I had to throw in to show the goofy side of their personalities! We kind of laughed because every picture Jon smiled in Katie was being silly and if Katie was smiling Jon was being silly. I guess they both are goofballs at heart!

It was a DIY sort of wedding. Katie, our mother, our father, and myself spent our Christmas break making all the little decorations that filled the hall. We were very pleased with how beautiful it all came together.

Katie and Jon decided to have a dessert bar with so many different homemade goodies by Fetzer's Cakes. I didn't get to sample them all but the few things I did sample tasted amazing!

Thank you to all the amazing vendors for making this such a special day. We could not have pulled off this wedding without you. Caterer : Hodels ; Cake : Fetzer's Cakes ; Flowers : Flower Bar ; Dj: Crown Entertainment Services (DJ Jimmy Sanchez) ; Photography : Valerie Mitchell Photography (shot by her assistants Andrea Watson and Mike Rolin) ; Hair : Ruby Montana at Via Bella Salon & Spa ; Makeup : Megan Callagy