After establishing a strong friendship while away at college, Sabrina and Conor decided to make something more of their relationship.

Then, six years later while away on what adventuresome traveler Sabrina calls a “borecation” in Maui, Sabrina had a few suspicions as to what the trip might hold for the happy couple. However, when a 3:00 a.m. trip to the top of Mt. Haleakala to see the sunrise turned out to be anticlimactic thanks to the overcast weather, Sabrina began to question her suspicions. Then her suspicions arose again while at an extravagant dinner in Lahaina. But, alas, still no ring. Conor then told her that he had a dessert surprise back at their hotel. This had to be it, she thought. The couple arrived at their hotel’s restaurant to discover a private table atop a small bridge with a guitarist accompanying them with their favorite Jack Johnson song. Sabrina carefully picked her way through her chocolate soufflé and champagne so as not to swallow the ring she just knew was waiting for her. Still nothing. Then, when she finally relaxed and decided just to enjoy the evening with her amazing boyfriend, the waiter arrived with a silver platter, which held the ring she’d been waiting for. Conor then dropped to one knee and the rest, as they say, is history.

As members of the Greek system at UC San Diego, and both members of large families, the couple’s first challenges included finding just the right venue and keeping the guest list to a manageable number. After an extensive six-month search, the couple finally found the perfect venue in the Village at Northstar. As for the guest list, well, let’s just say they managed to keep it under 300.

“The day ended up being representative of the two of us,” Sabrina explains. While the aesthetics were nothing short of amazing, Sabrina and Conor kept their focus on the ceremony. The pair wrote the entire ceremony, which Sabrina’s uncle conducted. He was able to add personal touches including humor, which made the ceremony that much more special. Sabrina was thrilled that the guests acknowledge how unique the ceremony was. “It was exactly what we wanted,” she adds.

As for the setting, the couple’s goal was to integrate nature and travel in order to establish a simple, vintage feel. Based on the pictures alone, it’s safe to say they exceeded their goal. Continuing with the nature and travel theme, the couple went on not one, but two honeymoons. The first was another “borecation” to Cancun where relaxation was just about the only thing on their itinerary. The other was an adventure trip to Australia, which Conor planned. And when we spoke to the couple just a few months after their wedding, they had recently returned from a ski trip to Vail. Clearly their motto is: have marriage will travel!

Ceremony Site: Northstar-at-Tahoe
Officiant: Dr. Michael McNamera (bride's uncle)
Photographer: Travis Hoehne Photography   Phone: 916-955-5485
Videographer: Grape Video
Wedding Planner: Abel Affairs
Wedding Designer: Abel Affairs
Reception Site: Northstar-at-Tahoe
Hair: Maribou Salon Spa
Make-up: Maribou Salon Spa
Bridal Attire: Bridal Galleria, San Francisco
Bridesmaid Attire: Bella Bridesmaids, San Francisco
Groom's Attire: Bridal Galleria, San Francisco
Groomsmen Attire: Men's Warehouse
Ringbearer Attire: Tiny Tux
Invitations: Just for Fun
Flowers: Heavenly Flowers & Events   Phone: 916-941-1171
Caterer: Northstar-at-Tahoe
Cake: Brockway Bakery
Desserts: Candy Bar from Candy Warehouse
DJ/Entertainment: Matthew Allen Weddings and Events
Dance Lessons: Cheryl Burke Dance Studio
Favors: For the Adults: Lake Tahoe Survival Kits with postcards, eco beach bags, chapstick, sun block, water and granola bars.
Table Decorations: Heavenly Flowers & Events   Phone: 916-941-1171
Equipment Rental: Event Masters
Lighting: Matthew Allen Weddings and Events
Other Resource: Vintage Postcards from Just for Fun
Other Resource: All Guest Afterparty at The Chocolate Bar
Other Resource: Rehearsal Lunch at Garwoods
First Dance Song: My Wish by Rascal Flats
Father/Daughter Dance Song: How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You by James Taylor

Any tips you'd give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
Plan together as a couple, but cut him some slack! Find out what decisions are important to him and let him be involved in those. He's not goign to care about everything but should we expect men to care of the napkins complement the table linens? It will make both of your lives easier to decide, upfront, where and how he can help take some of the load off your plate. My husband loved the process of registering, creating our Web site, designing the layout of the our tables, lounge, dance floor and ceremony. He left the rest to me unless I asked for help. It cut down on a lot of unnecessary arguing!

Details about this couples cake:
Three Tiers: Chocolate strawberry, German chocolate, raspberry mousse with buttercream frosting

Details about this couples flowers:

• Green and aged green hydrangeas
• Green cymbidium orchids
• Green celosia
• Picaso (white with dark purple centers)
• Green poppy pods
• Mini calla lilies
• Green Hypericum berries
• Ivory roses
• Purple Majestic Millet
• Orange Freesia
• Green/White Kale
• Artichokes
• 6 ft. tall Manzanita trees (hung with crystals and cymbidium orchids)
  

Anything else about your wedding?
Fantastic Vendors:

Jacqueline Roux-Abel, Abel Affairs
Travis Hoehne Photography

These two vendors are not only masters of their craft, they are ultimate professionals. Jackie of Abel Affairs was a needed sound board when it came to design elements. She helped guide my vintage-themed vision to one that was clean and not overstated. She was never ruffled throughout the weekend, handled my parents and guests with grace, and kindly dealt with any problems (and problem vendors). Jackie is an artist and a strong leader. She conveyed our vision to our vendors and the resort staff to ensure everything was coordinated perfectly -- from events to decor.

Travis has a quiet confidence -- he's always around snapping pics -- he's not invisible but he's never in the way. When he needed to corral our huge wedding party, he did so with humor and swiftness. When we were behind schedule, he never panicked. Only calmly told us our options and then allowed us to choose how we wanted to proceed. The pictures themselves have a wonderful timeless quality that truly picked up our vision of having vintage-travel elements as our theme.

What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
If you have an odd feeling about any of your vendors, trust your gut. We paid a lot of money for our DJ thinking that price equality quality. It did not. From the get go, we had a tough time finding a DJ that we liked. The DJ sets the mood of the party and if he/she spends too much time on the mic, or thinks its his/her job to "surprise" you with "fun" activities during the wedding, he/she can have a seriously negative effect on your big day. Be clear with the DJ. Be firm -- the DJ works for you!