Location: Chico, California, USA
Setting: Ballroom and garden
Wedding season: Fall
The number of guests: 200
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Wedding theme/style: Glam, Classic, Traditional, Latin.
Melisa and Frank met in March 2014 when Frank moved to Chico to pursue a degree in computer science. After celebrating Melisa’s birthday, they became a couple. In 2017, after earning his degree, Frank returned to Ventura, his hometown, and Melisa decided to move with him. On New Year’s Eve 2021, Frank proposed to Melisa in the presence of her entire family. From that moment, they began preparing for their wedding, which was held in Chico.
The bride’s look defined the couple’s choice of a glamorous style. On her wedding day, Melisa shone in a luxurious dress adorned with crystals, unique for its detachable lush skirt, creating a genuinely royal appearance. Melisa chose a hairstyle that perfectly complemented her look: her hair was styled in soft curls, adding a glamorous yet romantic effect. Melisa wore a tiara as an accessory, adding even more sparkle and magic. Her bridesmaids were by her side on the wedding morning, wearing dark red dresses contrasting beautifully with Melisa’s pristine white dress.
Frank also spent the morning with his friends, who helped him prepare for the wedding. The groom was dressed in an elegant black three-piece suit; his jacket was decorated with an intricate pattern, and his boutonniere featured a red rose. The groomsmen wore black suits with red ties, and their boutonnieres were adorned with white roses. Their and Frank’s attire, perfectly complementing the bride and her bridesmaids, spoke of the couple’s meticulous preparation and attention to every detail.
The religious ceremony took place in a beautiful church. It was essential to the couple that the priest who conducted their ceremony knew their story and was well-acquainted with them, added a personal touch to the ceremony. After the marriage rites, Frank and Melisa became husband and wife, a thrilling moment that moved all the guests.
After the ceremony, Frank and Melisa spent time together, strolling through the beautiful garden. Photographer Diane Nicole was with them, capturing this magical moment and creating stunning portraits of the couple. Her photos are distinguished by warmth, reflecting romance and enchantment. Each picture Diane took was imbued with tenderness and affection, and it was important for the couple to feel comfortable with Diane throughout the wedding.
Diane also took wonderful photos with the couple’s friends, which undoubtedly became some of Melisa and Frank’s most cherished memories.
After the ceremony, the guests gathered in the garden for a cocktail hour to share their joyful emotions and enjoy delicious drinks. This was a wonderful time with pleasant conversations.
According to the couple, they were genuinely ecstatic when they saw the reception hall decorated as they had dreamed. The tables covered with black tablecloths, white Chiavari chairs, and magnificent floral compositions of white and scarlet roses were all as they had envisioned when they prepared their mood board on Pinterest. It was a fairy tale come to life.
At the reception, the couple made a sparkling entrance, setting the tone for an event filled with happiness, boundless fun, and love. Close friends and family gave touching speeches, and the couple could enjoy every moment of this beautiful evening. They invited a Mexican band to perform, which played lively songs that kept all the guests dancing.
The newlyweds performed their first dance, swirling at the center of the dance floor, and it seemed as if time stood still, allowing them to savor these magical moments.
After the dance, Melisa and Frank participated in the beautiful wedding tradition of cutting the cake, which was a true culinary masterpiece. The four-tiered, white cake adorned with scarlet roses perfectly complemented the overall wedding style, becoming a highlight of the reception.
Later in the evening, guests took to the dance floor, joining the newlyweds dancing the night away. Melisa and Frank provided glow sticks for their guests to enhance the festive atmosphere, adding a vibrant and joyful touch to the celebration on the dance floor.
The evening ended as magically as it began, with the couple dancing alone to the “Para Tu Amor” song by Juanes. This emotional moment became one of the most pleasant memories, and when the couple made their grand exit, the guests sent them off with lit sparklers.
Advice from couple:
• Start your wedding planning as early as possible, mainly if you aim for a popular month like October. We started planning a year before the wedding, assuming this would be enough time to secure all our desired vendors. However, we quickly realized we were wrong when the initial replies came in, revealing that many were already booked.
PHOTOGRAPHY Diane Nicole | VIDEOGRAPHY Leslie Berry Productions | VENUE The Palms Chico | CHURCH St. John the Baptist Chico | DRESS Karoza Bridal Inc | EVENT DESIGN We Do Designs | FLORIST Spotlight Bridal | MUAH Ash Glam | CATERING Butte Creek BBQ | DJ DJ Hec Money | BAND Mazactiva | PHOTO BOOTH Enriquez Entertainment | SECURITY Armed Guard Private Security
