With the fall weather just beginning to settle in on a beautiful September day, Jesse and Sophia arrived at the Sterling Hotel in Downtown Sacramento full of love and anticipation as they were planning to leave as husband and wife-Mr. and Mrs. Bruinsma.
Sophia was surrounded by her mom, sister, and best of friends as Jesse arrived with Sophia's dad, his dad, and all of his best dudes. She kept hidden downstairs in the ready room as her sister helped her into her gorgeous gown that she had selected at David's Bridal.
Jesse stayed upstairs and out of sight, looking stellar and anxious as the time was dwindling down to the hour at which they would be proclaiming their love before family and friends in the intimate courtyard outside.
Once dressed, it was so fun to see everybody's reaction as the girls entered the room to see the bride to be for the very first time!
And of course dad wanted to have a peek before the ceremony too!
Although they didn't want to have a first look, the two could not resist talking to each other and being next to one another one more time before they walked down that aisle. Clammy hands, and nerves couldn't keep these two away, as they stood in the stairwell and told each other how excited they were and how much they loved each other just before saying "I do"....As difficult as it was...they didn't peek!
With every seat filled, and 5:00 approaching, the ceremony was about to begin! Sophia's dad was excited as he prepared to walk his first born down the aisle. With everybody excited, and everybody ready; what are we waiting for? Let the ceremony begin!
Everybody in attendance was selected for a reason. Especially their Officiant, Sophia's aunt-who was so happy for the couple as she prayed and spoke with excitement, laughter, and tears; followed by Jesse and Sophia saying their vows, exchanging their rings, and saying their 'I dos'.
After the ceremony, everybody was ready to celebrate the happy couple! After family had their chance to pose with the newlyweds, we had a blast taking photos with the bridal party.
The toasts definitely didn't disappoint! As Sophia's sister and Maid of Honor Sabrina talked about what a wonderful closeness the two shared, you could tell their bind was unbreakable. And as Jesse's Best Man 'Dom' talked about the adventures and antics of the two of them, their bind seemed unbreakable as well.
Best of all, the emotions were definitely felt as Sophia's dad stood to explain how his little girl had come to be such a beautiful woman after all of the years raising her. He laughed as he reflected on Sophia's passion on the softball field, her interest in movies, and all of the conversations they had shared. He seemed almost in disbelief as he realized that the day had come that his baby was getting married. There were tears and laughs throughout the room as he reminisced about having been a young dad with no clue in the world, yet somehow had managed to get his newborn baby safely home-yet now was standing here trying to figure out where the time had gone as his baby girl was now making a new home with Jesse-the love of her life.
Finally, with everything said and done, this group was definitely READY TO PARTY! The evening was spent with delicious food, awesome music, dancing, and plenty of posing at the photo booth. Everybody enjoyed the gorgeously tantalizing candy and dessert bar, the adorable and whimsical touches that Sophia and Jesse had added throughout the room as they included Harry Potter novelties and touches throughout, and of course the speeches!
Congratulations to such a fun, wonderful, and amazing couple. We enjoyed spending time with you celebrating your engagement, and can't believe how fast your wedding day came and went! May you now enjoy the adventure of life!
So while it may have taken a bit of time to find each other, and even after that, to come together as one and become husband and wife...."After all this time? -Always"