Jessica and Keith were living a few doors down from each other in Redondo Beach when they first met. For the first three months they were joined-at-the-hip best friends. Even with Keith’s overseas travel for U.S. Soccer, phone and email kept them in constant contact. In their own minds, they were just great friends. On Fourth of July 2007, a mutual friend asked them each individually why they weren’t dating, and both said they were too close to have anything romantic, which is interesting, because just three days later, something changed. Keith was leaving for Germany at 6 a.m. After an awkward goodbye hug in the wee hours of the morning, they parted ways. Moments later, with a knock at Jess’s door, Keith stood there. And then there was the kiss that changed everything. They’ve been together ever since.

Almost a year to the date of that fateful first kiss, on Fourth of July 2008, at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Keith proposed. They both lived in Las Vegas, but Jess’s parents are from Sacramento, she grew up in Utah, and Keith grew up in Fair Oaks. So the couple decided on a wedding in the Sacramento area.

With both Jess and Keith being LDS, their wedding plans also meant combining an LDS ceremony with a more traditional ring ceremony and reception. From the word go, Jess knew what she wanted, but as Keith is quick to point out, “Not in a bridezilla way, but in a ‘If we don’t do this ourselves it will be too expensive otherwise’ way.” Her creativity definitely paid off.

Jess’s vision was “vintage/old Hollywood glam,” and it was all about DIY. From the cake to the centerpieces, each detail was cared for and attended to...all the way down to hand-lacquering manzanita branches! In-laws glued pearls to branches, an old family friend baked the cake—Jess used every available resource to achieve her vision, but in the most accessible way possible.
Jess utilized her design background to design her own wedding dress, achieving a modest LDS dress that was also classy and elegant in the old Hollywood style. From the Russian netting for her classic veil, the brooches for her shoes, to the fabric flowers for her dress, every detail of her ensemble was painstakingly chosen.

Jess and Keith were married at the LDS temple in Rancho Cordova, with a ring ceremony and reception held that evening at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. And according to both of them, after the ring ceremony, it was smooth sailing by the time they got to the reception...both of them were actually able to relax and enjoy themselves, a huge payoff for all of their planning. Friends and family alike enjoyed themselves as much as Jess and Keith, making it the perfect day for everyone involved.

On being Real Weddings Magazine’s first featured LDS couple, Jessica offered these thoughts: “Our faith is more than religion, it is a lifestyle for us. We knew that no matter what we wanted to get married in the Temple at all costs. I wouldn’t have it any other way for the beginning of our future together.”

Ceremony Site: Sacramento California Temple; Tsakopoulos Library Galleria (ring ceremony)
Officiant: Saul Hernandez (ring ceremony)
Ceremony Music: Perfect Sounds
Photographer: Sarah Maren Photography   Phone: 916-335-4358
Wedding Planner: The Bride
Reception Site: Tsakopoulos Libary Gallery
Bridal Attire: Designed by Bride; sewn by Fashion Designs
Bridesmaid Attire: Skirts made by Bride; Cardigans from JCPenney
Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse
Bride's Jeweler: Saks Fifth Avenue
Groom's Jeweler: Titanium Kay
Invitations: Designer: Warren Bingham
Flowers: Bella Bloom
Caterer: Rayna's Gourmet Catering
Cake: Bride designed; made by family friend, Sherri Makaheili
DJ/Entertainment: Perfect Sounds
Honeymoon Location: Nassau, Bahamas
Honeymoon Travel Agent: Kip Gilbert
First Dance Song: Everything by Michael Buble
Father/Daughter Dance Song: The Way You Look Tonight by Michael Buble
Mother/Son Dance Song: I am Your Child by Barry Manilow
Money Dance Song: Money, Money, Money by The O'Jays
Cake Cutting Song: How Sweet It Is by James Taylor

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
Do as much on your own as possible to save money. Only spend big on one or two items (photos, venue, dress) since no one is going to remember the food, the party favor and your parents are the only ones who will save the wedding invitation.

It's going to be stressful no matter how much you plan. Help yourself out by staying organized (create a wedding book) and try to enjoy the planning as well.

Anything else about your wedding?
Special Moment: even though we had already been married in the LDS Temple, we wrote our own vows and exchanged them during the ceremony at the Library Galleria.

Unique Moment: The Maid of Honor and Best Man turned their toasts into roasts and everyone laughed at our expense.

A Great Vendor You'd Like to Rave About: Sarah Maren (of Sarah Maren Photography) is incredible. She has a very unique style that fit us very well and brought a great energy through a long day of events.

What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
[I wish I had] eaten some cake. Other than that, it was even better than we thought it would be.

It was hard work, a lot of time and personal energy spent, but it's all worth it to not have any regrets on your wedding day.