Moving back to California after finishing an Education degree from University of Nevada, Reno, Angi looked up an old friend and was invited to her Super Bowl Sunday party. “James lived in Fresno at the time, and it was by chance that he drove up for the day to attend the party,” she says. “We chatted over snacks and went bowling afterwards with our mutual friends.”

Four years later and going strong as a couple, Angi and James went to Kauai to celebrate the milestone. “I had thought that he would propose on our actual anniversary,” she shares. “So he did a remarkable job of throwing me off of the trail with a small wrapped white box that had an iPod player!” Needless to say, Angi was completely surprised and delighted when James pulled out a beautiful ring that night on the beach!

Angi had a wonderful time planning for the wedding, especially creating the table centerpieces and ceremony decorations with her friends. James had the fun task of picking out the playlist for the DJ. “He came up with some really funny introduction songs for the wedding party,” Angi says. At the last moment, James told Angi he wanted a candy bar for the guests to enjoy. “I frantically put together a bar of chocolaty deliciousness; however, the paper candy holders that I had purchased didn’t hold up when loaded with candy,” she notes. “Imagine M&M’s all over the dance floor!”

The sunset wedding at Lake Natoma Inn proved magical, “full of class and wonderful moments,” according to James. “Walking down the aisle towards my future husband to the song of ‘At Last’ by Ella Fitzgerald, made for the perfect setting,” says the bride. “We personalized our ceremony to include poetry and special vows. The simplicity of the ceremony made it even more special.”

Guests moved on to the Pavilion Room decorated with black and white linens and splashes of crimson red flowers. “The DJ also did our lighting which truly made a huge difference with the ambience in the room,” says Angi. “We ate, danced, and had the time of our life.” A tradition in James’s family, his grandmother Pat made the delicious white cake with raspberry filling.

The couple says it’s difficult to pinpoint their most memorable moments of the day. For James, he loved watching Angi walk down the aisle calling her “beautiful and perfection.” For Angi, she remembers looking into James’s eyes during the ceremony. “They were shining with love and happiness,” she says.

Ceremony Site: Lake Natoma Inn   Phone: 916-351-1500
Officiant: Judge Tom Cecil
Ceremony Music: Extreme Productions
Photographer: True Love Photo   Phone: 916-223-2384
Reception Site: Lake Natoma Inn   Phone: 916-351-1500
Hair: Michelle Williams, Poiema Salon
Make-up: Raquel Siders, Image Provocateur & VIP-CAT Academy   Phone: 916-474-5578
Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse
Bride's Jeweler: Shane Co.
Groom's Jeweler: Ben Bridge Jewelers
Invitations: All done by hand by the bride
Flowers: Sweet Memories
Caterer: Lake Natoma Inn   Phone: 916-351-1500
Cake: Courtesy of James's Grandmother
DJ/Entertainment: Extreme Productions
Favors: DYI by Bride-Chocolate Truffles
Table Linens: Mimi & Co.   Phone: 916-525-1235
Table Decorations: Sweet Memories
Lighting: Extreme Productions
Honeymoon Location: Caribbean Cruise
First Dance Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Father/Daughter Dance Song: God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
Mother/Son Dance Song: The Snowball Song

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
Pictures before the ceremony were awesome! Also, have fun in the moment!

Details about this couples cake:
Buttercream

Details about this couples flowers:
Dark red dahlias