Palm Springs Wedding and Jumbo Tron Proposal

Hello friends! Today’s love story, Palm Springs Wedding and jumbo tron proposal – Yes, how awesome it that! Chris and Melissa are two of the most energetic, loving, carefree, couples that I’ve met. For starters, they are both amazing athletes and enjoy various activities together. During the week they play hockey and soccer together and on weekends Melissa plays in a more advanced men’s hockey league (she is only 1 of a few girls in the league) and Chris plays in a men’s hardball baseball league. They both support each other in their activities, which is why they are such a great fit for one another. They also love to mountain bike in the summer and snowboard in the winter. Every weekend they try to be outside and active and workout at the gym a few times a week together (weightlifting). Because as Chris stated, “It’s hard to stay inside all day on those beautiful sunny days!!!!!” and I couldn’t agree more! Their active lifestyle and passion for sports could be seen throughout their destination wedding in Palm Springs. In fact, even before their wedding, amazing things were about to happen during a baseball game. Read my Q & A with Chris and Melissa (I love it!!) – How did Chris propose? Chris – I chose to propose to Melissa at an Oakland A’s game because that is a special place for us. We have gone to many games over the years. Fireworks nights, playoffs, etc. I booked a proposal to be done on the big jumbo tron screen. I also invited the entire family. So we all sat in the same section for the game.  It was a surprise for Melissa that everyone was there. She assumed that it was for her recent birthday that was just a few days before, little did she know. (Ok how awesome is this surprise proposal! I’ll let you read on…lol.) The 4th inning came around and I was waiting for the message to pop up on the screen. The whole family waited in anticipation. I had one hand in the bag next to me holding the ring, waiting till finally the message came on the board……..“Melissa Tuazon, Will You Marry Me!!!”  She looked at the board and the whole family were taking photos and pointing at the screen. Then I took out the ring and bent on one knee and asked Melissa, “Will you Marry Me?” and of course, she said YES!!!!!! Can I pause here and just swoon a bit as my heart melts right along side of everyone there!  Melissa – I thought I was going to the A’s game for the fireworks and was going in attendance with my family + Chris.  I knew Chris’ brother was in town and same with mine because of mother’s day so I didn’t find it weird that they were both in town.  My friend took me to the game to meet everyone at our seats.  When we got to our seats, I was surprised to see my sister, she lives in Long Beach  and saw more family and friends all sitting in the same section but I just thought they were there to help celebrate my birthday.  Not once did I think I was going to be proposed to because it was a busy sold out game and the Fireworks games are usually a sellout crowd.  When the 4th inning hit, I wasn’t allowed to leave my seat and was told to keep looking at the jumbo tron, I thought a “Happy 29th Birthday Melissa” was going to pop up but instead is was “Melissa Tuazon Will You Marry Me?” I brought my hands to my mouth and even shed a tear and was so surprised.  I couldn’t believe it was the moment and it was truly amazing!

Snapshot by a family member of Melissa's awesome proposal by Chris!

Snapshot by a family member of Melissa’s awesome proposal by Chris!

He asked and She said Yes!

He asked and She said Yes!

Snapshot of the entire family who joined in on the surprise proposal!

Snapshot of the entire family who joined in on the surprise proposal!

So what brought them from Northern CA to sunny Southern CA, for their wedding? Family and the beautiful weather of course!  Chris and Melissa chose the beautiful Mission Hills Country Club for their venue and shared with us their favorite wedding moments and tips for wedding planning! Let’s continue… What was your favorite moment of your wedding day? Chris – For me it was watching Melissa come down the aisle in her beautiful dress with her Father in hand. She became very emotional and water works started to happen. It was a surreal moment. It was the start of something amazing and special.  Melissa – For me it was the grand entrance; just the feeling of excitement and love and knowing that everyone in attendance was present to help celebrate our special day. Also, We love going to Nightclubs and Vegas, which is where I got the idea for the glow-sticks and sunglasses I purchased from Amazon.com. Your reception theme was unique, can you give some insight as to how you came about selecting the table names, dessert tables, and custom cake topper?  Chris – The cake topper was Melissa’s idea. We both had in mind a different wedding cake topper than what is used for in the norm. We wanted to show our “sporty” selves because that is who we are. Melissa and I are both big sports fans and the table names just made sense to have them as baseball stadium names. We were thinking about hockey or football stadiums but it seemed more people could connect with the names of baseball stadiums. The dessert table idea was from pictures the wedding cake baker showed us. Melissa took the time to personalize it with the initials C & M from materials she bought at Michael’s Arts and Crafts.  Melissa – My mom ordered the tickets for us and designed them after I explained my vision and we both (mom & I) collaborated with my aunt on the center pieces.  I used Pinterest to get some ideas as well as pictures from Instagram on a centerpiece I saw from my friend’s daughter’s Sweet 16 party.  We purchased many of the decorations from Amazon and Michael’s.  My mom and co-workers decorated the trellis used for the ceremony as I purchased the trellis at a bargain, $30 from Michael’s.  My mom took care of all the details of the wedding as she made the programs, put together the s’mores favors and coasters as well as the money-tree and all decorations for the ceremony and reception.  My mom is very creative as well as her co-workers and I grew up always doing arts and crafts.  I’m also a very sporty tomboy and love being comfortable which is why I chose to wear my Nike Air Max’s my little sister bought me that matched my wedding colors. (see their snapshot below)

Bride and Sister in their matching Nike Air's during the reception!

Bride and Sister in their matching Nike Air’s during the reception!

What advice would you give our newly engaged couples as they plan their wedding? Chris – The biggest things for me concerning wedding planning was to get the “Big” things out of the way first. Venue is most important. Then the date, we only had a few dates to choose from and spring is one of our favorite seasons so we knew we wanted it around early spring.  The Venue was always in my mind because my family have held events there before and plus I wanted to have the wedding in Palm Springs area. It’s a great destination and could be a mini vacation for many of our guests. Choosing the photographer was next and then the DJ.  We already had the florist chosen as Melissa’s aunt is a local Bay Area florist and she was able to drive down her arrangements. The most important thing to us was choosing and planning everything together (tip from a close friend that was married a year before us, probably one of the best tips we got!). Make it fun to plan as much as possible. It is both of our days, so make the most of it and we planned during whatever spare time we had together which meant staying in on most weekends!  All decisions were made together on every aspect of the wedding! Vendors were chosen by word of mouth, yelp reviews, and by just looking into their quality of work such as samples, ie: videos/photos from previous weddings/parties that were advertised and displayed on the internet.  It’s also best to have a second back-up just in case your first choice is already booked! Excel Spreadsheet was very helpful in the overall organization of everything. We tabbed different sections of the excel spreadsheet. Ex: headcounts, dinner selections, table assignments, time lines, dj playlist, Budget, bridal party. Anything you can think of. Erica – I must tell you that their excel spreadsheet blew my mind! I have never in 14 years of wedding photography had a couple deliver such a well planned outline of their day. They could certainly be wedding planners! lol! Amazing and so awesome! I may just have to share a ‘how to’ one day on the subject :). And now onto their spectacular WEDDING DAY!

Bride’s earrings and pearls

Wedding details…

Bridal shoes

Something blue…

Bride’s Nike Air shoes for the reception.

Nike Air’s were a gift from her Sister! Awe! Comfort and teal, I love it!

Wedding Dress, gorgeous and elegant.

Wedding Dress details

Bridesmaids showing off their strapy shoes!

Preparing for the ceremony

Bridesmaids and the Bride getting ready

Moments before the First look, Bridesmaids help Bride with final touches.

Something Blue for later!

High Fives for the flower girl, she’s adorable!

The Groom

Cool Shades, Raybans of course!

First look is about to begin!

The Bride

Here she comes…

First Look anticipation!

Sneaking up on the Groom!

AWE! The First Look.

Love how the Groom spun her around to see her dress.

Bridal portrait fun

and the Kisses begin!

Bride and Groom are so sweet!

Pretty cute under that tree

Family of the Groom

Their entrance sign to their ceremony

Cool shades for everyone

and sandals – take one!

Stunna Shades – Compliments of the Bride and Groom

and custom fans

and the ceremony begins….

Here comes the Bride and her Father!

A special song by the Bride’s Brother.

You may Kiss the Bride!

This was the Mother of the Groom’s ring pillow for her wedding!

Brotherly Love

Groom and Father – who is a pro photographer himself!

Bridal Party

Bride and flower girls!

Bride and her Bridesmaids having fun!

Groom and his Groomsmen

Yes, the Queen Bride has arrived!

Husband and Wife

Bridal Bouquet

These Girls!

Wedding Romance by the lake

S’more Love Wedding Favors!

Dessert – cupcakes anyone?

Awesome wedding cupcakes

Hostess Look -a -like cupcakes

Love the use of teal everywhere!

Blueberry French Toast Wedding Cupcakes!

Awesome Wedding Cake Topper!

Wedding Cake

Seriously, how perfect is this wedding cake topper?!

Love notes for guests

wedding champagne

more wedding favors

Reception Table names – Wrigley Field

Glow Stick entrance for the Bride and Groom!

Wedding Ring

First Dance

Bouquet Toss!

It was quite the wedding celebration with smoke machine, glow-sticks and the Bride’s Father who could rap perfectly to artist Pit Bull!

Thank you from the Melissa and Chris!

 

Palm Springs Wedding Photographer: Erica Mendenhall Photography – Erica Mendenhall and Associate Photographer – Jacqueline Amparo

DJ – DJ Local Boy (Ross Holman – Riverside, CA):http://www.localboydj.com 

Hair and Makeup – Chelsea Nicole Hair & Make-Up (Coachella Valley): http://www.chelseanicolemakeup.com

Florist (Family Member – Aunt Lyn Tuazon (Owner, Oakland, CA) – Leamington Florist:http://www.leamingtonflorist.com

Venue/Food Catering – Mission Hills Country Club:http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Mission-Hills-Country-Club

Wedding Gown Shop – Trudy’s Bridal – Campbell, CA:http://www.trudysbrides.com

Alterations – Janen’s Bridal Boutique – Alameda, CA:http://janenesbridal.com