We haven’t featured the fabulous work of KimJMartin Photography in a while. Needless to say, I was ECSTATIC when she sent this little wedding gem my way! It’s oh-so-colorful (we’re talking all the colors of the rainbow here), sweetly shabby chic and simply backyard fabulous. The bride looks positively spunky in her short vintage dress, yellow shoes and lace BHLDN gloves. And her groom, well, he looks simply smitten and dashing too! Did I mention the adorable dessert table? Because they have one of those too!

Megan and Stephen met through a mutual friend in San Jose, California when Megan was still in college. The same friend who introduced them saw how well the two were getting along decided to intervene a little more. He hid some pumpkin carving knives in Megan’s house two weeks before Halloween, forcing Stephen to go back and get them. They’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since.

Neither Stephen nor Megan can remember who said I love you first, they just always knew they had a special bond. But it wasn’t until they went on a mission trip to Yucatan that they knew they wanted to make it forever. Serving the Lord together has always been a special part of their relationship and they both firmly believe that their shared faith is the glue of their relationship.

After the mission trip to Yucatan where they talked in depth about being ready to take the next step, the two began planning the wedding!!! They decided on their wedding date (2.5 years after Stephen asked her to be his girlfriend), booked the venue, picked the photographer, and ordered invitations before Stephen had actually even proposed!!! He finally popped the question on December 10th in Megan’s apartment, presenting her with the ring they’d designed together :)

{From the Bride} I made almost EVERYTHING myself for our wedding. My roommate helped a lot and so did Stephen but I used the month I had off during the holiday season to do most of the work. My favorite moment of the ceremony was when a friend of ours did a reading by Sandol Stoddard Warburg called “I like you”. It really represented our relationship and Steven even cried (the only time!). My dad, a pastor, also performed our ceremony and that was really special. Our first dance was Harry Connick Jr.’s “We Are in Love” and we self-choreographed a swing dance that went off without a hitch. What I didn’t realize about planning a wedding was how much outside pressure I would get from friends and family… and how many times I would want to just run away and elope, but I’m glad we didn’t.

{Advice for Couples} Do premarital counseling if you can. It brings up a lot of issues you might not think of. Make sure you share the same life goals and morals. You don’t have to agree on everything but you should be able to accept that. Have fun! Be silly! If you can’t be silly with your spouse, who can you be silly with?

Oh my gosh! I love this wedding! It’s so colorful and fun and looked like one heck of a party! Megan, to have done most of it yourself, my hat is off to you! You rocked it! Congratulations to you and Stephen! May your lives together always be filled with laughter, fun and color! Thank you for sharing your love story with us! And a very special thank you to Kim for sharing this super fun day with us today! xoxo

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Photography: KimJMartin Photography – Event Design/Coordinator: the Bride/family friend

Venue: Private Residence – Officiant: Rev. Donald Thomas

Caterer: A Touch of Mesquite – Cake: Bridesmaid – Cake Topper: Maid of Honor

Wedding Dress: custom design by Dolly Couture – Lace Gloves: BHLDN

Ceremony Shoes: J.Crew – Reception Shoes: Yoki from ModCloth

Bridesmaids Dresses: Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Calvin Klein

Groom’s Attire: H&M – Men’s Ties: Express

Hair: Argonauta Salon & Spa – Makeup: Bridesmaid

Florals: GlobalRose, Costco and local growers (all arrangements made by the Bride)

Stationery: The Bride – Save the Dates: Tiny Prints

Rentals: Giuffras Rentals – Favors: donations made to Red Cross Japan Relief