Although both Maggie and Luke McCollum met as undergraduates at UC Irvine, a couple years worth of “near misses” prevented them from actually going out. It wasn’t until later when Maggie moved back to Modesto that the two officially became a couple. “We talked on the phone every spare minute,” remembers Maggie. “Luke would drive up every weekend—a twelve-hour roundtrip trek—and sleep on my parents’ couch just so we could spend time together.” Although many of their friends questioned this long-distance relationship, both Maggie and Luke knew they were meant to be from their very first date.

On one occasion, Luke managed to get up to Modesto without Maggie knowing. The reason? To buy a ring and ask her parents for her hand in marriage. For the proposal, he planned a romantic getaway to the Meadowood Resort in Napa, where a fireplace and amazing view of the valley awaited them. After a fabulous five-course wine pairing, the couple headed up to their room. “There were candles flickering and rose petals scattered everywhere,” says Maggie. “Luke got down on one knee and didn’t even get a chance to say anything before I started screaming and crying and hugging him!”

The newly engaged couple approached the wedding planning with a pretty low-key attitude. “We knew we wanted a beautiful ceremony and reception with our families and friends, and lots of dancing, laughing and fun,” the bride says. Because Maggie and Luke were living in Sonoma County, they originally set their sights on a Napa wedding, but this proved to be problematic. Luckily, Maggie’s mom discovered the beautiful Wine and Roses. “We knew it would be perfect,” says Maggie.

The short ceremony was filled with family participation and unique touches created by the couple. “We had our brothers do readings,” she shares. “James, Luke’s brother, read Corinthians 13, and Michael, my brother, read Shakespeare’s Sonnet 117.” The vows were personal, written by the pair, and the DJ played music by Jake Shimabukuro, a ukulele artist that reflected the sweet and understated vibe the couple wanted for the ceremony.

Candlelight and rich colors greeted the guests at the reception. Family and friends came from all over to share in the couple’s special day. Maggie recalls, “We had some interesting speeches, but my dad had everybody reaching for the tissues. It was very sweet.” One of the most memorable moments of the night happened when a group decided to start a “Thriller” dance on the floor. “It was the perfect night and exactly what we wanted,” says Maggie.

The bride remembers peeking out the window to see Luke earlier that day. He had given her a special gift, a music box from Italy that played “She’s Like a Rainbow,” Maggie’s favorite Rolling Stones song. “I told him about that song on our first date,” she says. “He gave it to me so I wouldn’t get too emotional. The plan backfired because I teared up like crazy whenever I thought about the box!”

Luke recounts the moment he saw Maggie enter through the big wooden doors at the ceremony. “I remember barely catching a glimpse and then she was obscured by tree branches,” he says. “I was so anxious to see her again. It took every ounce of composure I had not to cry my eyes out. She just looked so beautiful.”

Ceremony Site: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
Officiant: Judge Hurl Johnson
Photographer: Justine Belson Photography   Phone: 916-601-8998
Hair: The Spa at Wine & Roses   Phone: 209-334-6988
Make-up: The Spa at Wine & Roses   Phone: 209-334-6988
Bridal Attire: Bay Area Bridal
Bridesmaid Attire: Macy's
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Bride's Jeweler: Gabriel's Jewelers
Groom's Jeweler: Gabriel's Jewelers
Invitations: The American Wedding; thank you cards from Shutterfly
Placecards: Michael's
Flowers: Flourish   Phone: 916-212-5179
Caterer: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
Cake: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
DJ/Entertainment: Elite Entertainment
Favors: Travel candles from Beaucoup, personalized with stickers and matchbooks
Table Linens: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
Table Decorations: Centerpieces by Flourish   Phone: 916-212-5179
Equipment Rental: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
Lighting: Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant & Spa   Phone: 209-334-6988
Honeymoon Location: Maui, Hawaii
First Dance Song: A Kiss to Build a Dream On by Louis Armstrong
Father/Daughter Dance Song: Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra
Mother/Son Dance Song: Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Bouquet Toss Song: Wishin' and Hopin' by Ani Difranco
Garter Toss Song: The Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
The single most important advice I can give is exactly what my now-husband told me on one of the nights I woke up from some sort of wedding nightmare: don't worry about the little things. I wasn't even one of the girls who dreamt about the perfect wedding since I was little. I was pretty low-key as far as what I wanted, Luke was too, but I was still freaking out all of the time. It's so easy to get caught up in things that really don't matter in the long run, and when it comes down to it, no one is going to remember whether the napkins perfectly complemented the table cloths. People are going to remember that they got to be a part of the most important day in your lives and that they got to share in your love. On the day of our wedding, all of the little things fell away, and all I wanted in the world was to see my husband and start the rest of our lives together. Make sure that you have the day you want, make sure you surround yourself with people who are both honest and helpful, and just have as much fun with every step as you can.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
While planning, I would have tried harder not to worry about everyone else having the best time and just concentrated on enjoying everything that was happening. I'm just a worrier, but I would definitely try to worry less. Everything worked out, and all of the silly emergencies on the day, like my bridesmaid tearing her zipper and having to be sewn into her dress, were actually funny. Luke says that he would have kept better track of addresses and names since we moved during wedding planning and got a little disorganized.