Beverly Bovey and James Garber met in nursing school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The two had a weekly routine that included an “adult beverage” at a local favorite spot of theirs after a round of studying. Over time, the study partners got to know each other better and became good friends. During one long study session in the library, James won Beverly over with a game of footsies under the table. According to Beverly, after that, “We knew we were inseparable.”

The couple became engaged on a trip to Southern California in 2007. Beverly wanted to see the ocean, so James took her to Redondo Beach for a little fresh air. To her surprise, he also had a ring with him. To celebrate their new engagement, they appropriately declared, “We’re going to Disneyland!”

Both from California, Beverly and James wanted to exchange their vows in their new home of Sacramento. “We wanted our guests to see our city since for most it was a destination wedding,” says Beverly. “We chose vendors and locations that felt very local to us.” Out of town guests were booked at the Embassy Suites, walking distance to the rehearsal dinner at Raley Field and the ceremony and reception at Il Fornaio. They put a welcome bag in the guests’ hotel rooms that included local Sacramento information and saltwater taffy from Old Sacramento.

A rehearsal dinner at a River Cats game at Raley Field was a particularly memorable occasion. They had hoped for a party suite but it was already booked for their date. Then, as luck would have it, a suite opened up the day before. “We didn’t even have to think about it, we booked it,” says Beverly. “The event turned out to be a huge highlight, for us and our guests (and the River Cats won!).”

Beverly and James did most of the planning projects for themselves, including choosing the vintage theme. They kept the guest list small, to 75 people, so the wedding could feel like an intimate glamorous party for the guests. “We incorporated a vintage, travel theme for our table names (locations of our honeymoon) with luggage tags as place cards and vintage suitcases arranged on the table,” she says. “Everything felt like a swanky 1940s dinner party.” When the fireworks went off at Raley Field that night, it was as if they were going off for the couple and their guests.

While the party munched on red velvet cupcakes, a five-piece swing/jazz band called Swing Fever had everyone kicking up their heels on the dance floor. The couple arranged for a photo booth—complete with props—from Profinish Design so that guests could take an assortment of goofy shots. For post-reception fun, the bridal party walked over to the Back Door Lounge in Old Sacramento for some more vintage fun.

While Beverly thoroughly enjoyed dancing the night away with old friends, nothing could top the end of the evening.
She fondly remembers, “The best part of all was getting to take my new husband home with me!”

Ceremony Site: Il Fornaio
Officiant: Aimee Jose, friend
Ceremony Music: Kenny Manlapig, acoustic guitarist
Photographer: Profinish Design   Phone: 916-760-1499
Reception Site: Il Fornaio
Hair: Angie Jarret, Allure Salon & Spa
Make-up: Angie Jarret, Alure Salon & Spa
Bridal Attire: House of Fashion
Bridesmaid Attire: Banana Republic
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire: Own black suits
Bride's Jeweler: Tiffany & Co.
Groom's Jeweler: Tiffany & Co.
Invitations: Papyrus
Placecards: Table and placecards were DIY through Serendipity
Flowers: A Florist Naturally
Caterer: Il Fornaio
Cupcakes: Cupcake Craving
Live Band: Swing Fever
Transportation/Limo Services: Antique Limousine Company
Photo Booth Rental: Profinish Design   Phone: 916-760-1499
Honeymoon Location: 10 Day Caribbean Cruise
Honeymoon Travel Agent: American Express Travel
First Dance Song: Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra
Father/Daughter Dance Song: As Time Goes By by Frank Sinatra
Mother/Son Dance Song: Same as father/daughter dance (danced together with father/daughter)

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
Splurge for live music! But for budget friendly couples, have your ceremony and reception in the same location, and you'll save also having it at a restaurant (less rentals!). Also, keep your guest list small for a more intimate and budget friendly day. We got to do so much more "splurge" plans with the money we saved on the guest list (like getting live music!).
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
We would have gotten a "day of" planner to handle all the little details and arrange all the necessary vendors the day of. Everything was a little hectic at the beginning for us! Also do the photos before the ceremony. We would have liked to enjoy more of our cocktail hour with our guests.