After dinner one night, Millicent began teasing Alex—and “maybe slightly complaining”—that her left ring finger was looking pretty bare. Though the couple had talked about marriage, they discussed how he couldn’t afford a ring yet. “Babe, just drop it, it’s going to be a long time before we can get married,” he told her. Back at home, there was a camera positioned on the counter with a sticky note that read, “Dessert. Turn on and press ok.” Curious, Millicent did and found a video of Alex explaining the dessert he made for her. “I indicated the list of ingredients and went from food to intangible things like love and laughs and fun. Then I stated that I had forgotten one thing, one important thing, and said instead of me telling you on tape I’ll just show/tell you in person.” Down on one knee, he proposed right then and there. “I asked her in Spanish, and she cried more,” he says.

Millicent shares that both she and Alex knew exactly what they wanted for their special day. “I constructed everything with the help of family and friends exactly to my vision,” she says. “We wanted everyone to have the absolute time of their life, and the reception was meant to be a great party for all to celebrate our new lives together. And, it most certainly was!”

The bride relished her time looking for the right wedding gown. “My mother-in-law spent every weekend for three months trying to help me to find ‘the one,’” she says. “I found that very special gown at one of the first locations we went to, so I ran back to the dress I knew I loved and bought it!”

Alex’s favorite part of the process was going through the cake tasting process. “He was slightly disappointed when I told him we found the bakery for the wedding cake...because that meant no more trips around town sampling icings and fillings,” smiles Millicent.

Both bride and groom refer to the ceremony as “magical.” “Alex’s vows were breathtaking,” she says. “I can’t wait to see our finished video so I can share in that moment again.” The reception was held in the Galeria do Vinho and the Barrel Room at the Carvalho Family Winery. “It was an elegant event, set with fun, excitement, and an ambience that was priceless,” says Millicent. “We wanted our evening to be as enjoyable as possible and incorporate elements of our culture and favorite music, so we had mariachis play music during the cocktail hour and into the opening of the meal.”

In addition to taking photos with their bridal party, Millicent and Alex point to the first dance as a highlight of the evening. She says, “Who could forget the way he got on bended knee and sang his heart out while handing me a single red rose. His romantic gestures and spontaneity are amazing qualities he possesses.”

Ceremony Site: Carvalho Family Winery
Officiant: John Reed
Ceremony Music: Music on the Move
Photographer: Travis Hoehne Photography   Phone: 916-955-5485
Videographer: Jensen Wedding Films   Phone: 916-334-9999
Reception Site: Carvalho Family Winery
Hair: Danielle, Head West Salon and Spa
Make-up: Germaine Nichols
Bridal Attire: Bridal Mart
Bridal Veil/Headpiece: David's Bridal
Bridesmaid Attire: Each chose their own dress
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Bride's Jeweler: Engagement Ring: Tiffany's, Band: Guzzetta & Co
Groom's Jeweler: Guzzetta & Co.
Invitations: Exclusively Weddings
Placecards: DIY The Bride
Thank You Cards: Exclusively Weddings
Flowers: Flowers by Joann
Caterer: Fresh & Quick Catering
Cake: Divine Desserts by Aguirre
DJ/Entertainment: Music on the Move
Favors: Chocolate truffles made with Tinta Madiera Port Wine from Carvahlo Family Winery.
Honeymoon Location: Europe on Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship
First Dance Song: Until the End of Time by Beyonce and Justin Timberlake
Cake Cutting Song: How Sweet It is To Be Loved by You by Marvin Gaye; and Like Candy by Cameo
Bouquet Toss Song: Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyonce
Garter Toss Song: Theme to Monday Night Football

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
Remember the fact that you love each other and that love is more important than the entire wedding planning process because that Love is what has brought you together. Don’t sweat the small stuff, plan appropriately and realistically. Lastly, don’t forget to spend time with each other just having fun, not mentioning color palettes or anything else related to wedding planning.

Details about this couples cake:
Four tier cake: three different types. First tier was triple chocolate mousse cake with a Grand Marnier filling. Second tiers were strawberry champagne white cake with a berry filling. First tier was triple chocolate mousse cake with a mango filling. The entire cake was covered in an Italian buttercream frosting. It was beyond delicious!

Details about this couples flowers:
Bride's bouquet: garnet glow posey calla lilies, allure roses with rhinestone centers lavender stock, misty blue limonium, pittosporum, Italian ruscus.

Bridesmaids' bouquets: vandela roses, dark purple minature carnations, lavendar minature carnations, misty blue limonium, ruscus.

Groom's boutonniere: white calla lily with sprayed lavendar, Italian ruscus and rhinestone.

Groomsmen boutonnieres: rose, misty blue limonium


Anything else about your wedding?

• The most memorable moment that day was having my mother, who is terminally ill with cancer, and my twin brother, walk me down the aisle. Holding both of their arms inside mine was breathtaking; knowing that my mother had the opportunity to share in a day that would come only once in her life, because I am her only daughter. I am truly blessed.

• For each charger plate, I created a Wine and Food Pairing list detailing every wine being poured and what it paired the most nicely with. (It was for added Millicent touch.)

• I greatly enjoyed planning every detail of my wedding from start to finish. When I saw the end result I was very proud to have put together such a beautiful day with all of the beautiful people in my life. It was important to have details that represented who we were as individuals and also what we shared in common.

• One of the most special moments of the wedding was seeing the smile on everyone’s face… The joy, excitement, and love that filled the air was priceless that day. Our goal was to create a memory that would last a lifetime not only for each other but for all of our guests as well.

• The most memorable moment that day was having my mother, who is terminally ill with cancer, and my twin brother, walk me down the aisle. Holding both of their arms inside mine was breathtaking; knowing that my mother had the opportunity to share in a day that would come only once in her life, because I am her only daughter. I am truly blessed.

• I want to extend a great “Big Thank You” to all of my vendors. Everyone worked very well together and not for one moment did anyone disappoint me but only execute my vision beyond expectations.

• Travis Hoehne—Captured moments of our wedding that were unbelievable! His humble and charismatic personality makes him so easy and fun to work with.

• Joann Wilson (Flowers)-Beautifully Crafted exactly what I envisioned.

• Music on the Move—Doug and Dara were fantastic. They were far more than a MC and DJ. Went above and beyond to make the day flow with seamless transition. Not once did I have to think about where to stand, what to do, or where to be….It was Great!

• Fresh and Quick Catering were exactly that…Fresh and Quick! Everyone loved the food! Better yet, they made it all fresh on site; straight from the Grill to the Buffet Tables.

What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
Nothing...everything was A-Mazing!