Perhaps you’ve heard of a little family called the Kardashians? And perhaps you’re even planning on watching their season finale tonight (I know I am for purely – ahem – professional reasons)? Well, when Chris proposes to Kim make sure to pay attention to the song playing, “I Do“, because it’s written and performed by one of our all-time favorite brides, Stacy, who shared her adorable engagement shoot with us last November! How fantastic is that!?!

Now if that wasn’t exciting enough, Stacy also sent along wedding photos by Farhad Samari from her lovely seaside wedding in Newport Beach, California. It has all the elements we love – a gorgeous dress, fun shoes and personal details that tell the story of the couple (her candy table is absolute perfection). Make sure you keep reading after the photos to hear all about Stacy’s perspective on their Big Day, plus hear her excellent advice.

If you miss Stacy’s song tonight you can hear it online or head over to Facebook for a free download of her song “I Know Who I Am.”

Stacy’s Perspective:

Tell us about any specific details, your vision for the day, any DIY projects you did yourself or that have special meaning….
We decided to style the wedding close to our personal style. Vintage meets modern. The location was stunning being right on the water so we didn’t need to go  overboard with decorations. Just simple and classic. My mother in law made the cutest boutonnieres and handmade signs for our candy bar. She even made the & sign out of Styrofoam to tie our chairs together. We had a lot of cute little signs and decorations, but also pretty simple. We got married in April so decided to use black and white anemone flowers being that is when they are in season. I had red roses for my bouquet. It was more green and more affordable. We also used the flowers along with a floating candle in our centerpiece. Le Fleur did a great job decorating our arch. We got married under it and then had it placed behind us during dinner. To make the room more romantic we strung up some sparkly lights and hung glass lanterns. To end the feast at we had a candy bar, mini cupcakes and cake for our guests. It was a good variety where our guests could pop a desert in there mouth and keep dancing. The funfetti cake balls and mini cupcakes where a hit. I highly recommend renting a photo booth with props. Our guests loved it and got to take a copy of each photo they took as a favor to remember the night.

Did your wedding location hold a specific significance to you?
It is a beautiful area and near where he proposed.

What was the most meaningful part of your day?
Seeing my husband to be and reading his gift which was a kind letter filled with words of affirmation and love. That and confirming our love by having a beautiful ceremony in front of the people we love the most was awesome. That and of course the dancing after. It’s the one day a girl can have her cake and eat it to!

Did anything funny or out of the ordinary happen?
There where a few. My favorite was during the photos a “parking enforcement” police officer did not want us taking photos on the beach. I am not sure what his problem was, but it was quite comical when one of our groomsmen who was a lawyer started asking him questions why and the officer said because we didn’t have a permit which as irrelevant being as the photos where not being sold. We took our photos and left. He was a tool and has some serious bad wedding day kharma coming. I found it very comical as the whole time he had his hand on his holster. Seriously.

Tell us details of the events surrounding the wedding as well.
Lots of planning! We had our rehersal dinner at the Macaroni Grill in Tustin. We had it early as a lot of our guests where from out of town. The rehersal, ceremony and wedding was at the Harborside Ballroom in Newport Beach, CA. My bridemaids and family stayed at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach the night before and had a wine tasting and slumber party. It was really awesome to see all the people I grew up with in the same room as my “after high school” friends. It was nice for everyone to meet and connect faces with names. It was also nice to spend time with my friends and family who had traveled over 3,000 miles. Nothing like pre-gaming your big day with some karaoke and a dance party.

How did you know your partner was “the one”?
He is an incredible person, my best friend and I couldn’t imagine life without him. When I wake up he is the first person I want to see and the last before I go to sleep.

Any advice you’d give new brides who are just getting started?
Breathe and enjoy. Things are bound to go different then you planned at some point and when that happens just breathe. Take the moments to enjoy your engagement, enjoy the planning process as when your day arrives it will fly by.

Vendors

Photographer: Farhad Samari
Make up: Lynn Simpson
Hair: Ramon Fuertes
Venue: Harborside Ballroom in Newport Beach, CA
Dress: Vera Wang
Shoes: Betsey Johnson and Vera Wang (cute ballerina flats to dance the night away)
Men’s Attire: Calvin Klein
Flowers: Le Fleur
DJ: DJ Flo/KIK Entertainment Photobooth: Red Carpet Photography
Videographer: Justin Aguirre Video editing: Nick DuPlesis
Cake: It’s All About the Cake