Monday, August 5, 2013

We're married!

We're officially official! On July 5th, 2013, we tied the knot at Memorial County Park in Loma Mar, CA. We were thrilled to have our families in attendance for a small and very private ceremony among the redwoods. The ceremony went by so quickly, we're thankful that Matt's dad captured the whole thing on video:

Part 1: Walking down the aisle and welcome

Part 2: Passing the rings

Part 3: Terry's remarks and vows

Officiant conducting the wedding ceremony
Saying our wedding vows (photo by Eric Taylor)

After the vows, we took family photos among the trees and enjoyed some refreshments. Then we headed down the road to Harley Farms, one of our favorite places. Dee Harley really outdid herself for our farm dinner. Guests arrived to lavendar lemonade and a cheese tasting in the garden, followed by a tour of the farm and a trip out into the pasture to meet the goats and the guard llamas (yes, guard llamas! Ruby the llama tolerated our attention and many photos). Chloe, our tour guide, even let us hold a baby goat for a great photo op!

Stacey, Matt, and one of the baby goats
Getting acquainted with a baby goat (photo by John Wirt)

We all made our way through the milking parlor and in to the dairy, where we made a special "wedding cheese" with fresh goat cheese, flowers from the garden, and herbs de Provence. Then we gathered in the hay loft, which was gorgeously decorated with huge flower arrangements and candles. Guests enjoyed various goat cheese-themed appetizers, then we passed the champagne and shared some heartfelt toasts.

Inside the loft where the wedding dinner was held
Harley Farms hayloft, all decked out (photo by Eric Taylor)

Dinner was several courses of vegetarian scrumptiousness, prepared by Dee and her staff. Dee announced each course with the chime of a bell and was the most gracious and radiant host we could have asked for. The first course of the evening was rosemary garlic red potatoes with eggplant schnitzel and creamy dill sauce. The second was goat cheese ravioli, a specialty of the farm and easily the best ravioli we've ever had. The third course was acorn squash with cruciferous vegetables on a bed of lentils. Last but certainly not least, dessert was mini goat cheese cheesecakes with fresh flowers and a plum compote made from 40-year-old plum trees in Dee's orchard. Accompanying the cake was a pot of warm ricotta, made fresh with the evening's milk and topped with honey from the hives in Dee's secret garden.

We have so many happy memories of the day, and we are grateful for the generosity of our friends and family who supported us in countless ways throughout the process. We also could not have had such a memorable and joyful day without the talents of our wedding vendors -- Dee Harley of Harley Farms and Ara Roselani of Aralani photography in particular helped make the day seamless.  Here's to a happily ever after!


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