A Perfect Pinterest Wedding! {Megan & Alex, The Condors Nest Ranch}

There are moments in my life that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  They are the moments that make life worth living, moments that take my breath away.   My first date with Spencer,  The Notebook, watching a Dad walking his daughter down the isle with a tear in his eye, a groom choking up as he professes his love in his vows.  When I think back on my life I realized that I get this feeling whenever I whitness love, real love, fairytale serendipitous love.  Maybe it is all the love stories I have watched that have turned me into such a mush pot, but I truly believe that these moments are what makes my job so wonderful.

Megan & Alex were one of these couples.  They gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling that took my breath away- especially during their First Look.  I was so honored to be a part of their love story.  A love story that started 6 years ago and was sealed with a kiss on their wedding day at The Condors Nest Ranch.  Here’s what Megan had to say about how they met and fell in love:

Alex and met back in 2004 when I got hired at the store he was working at. The first time I saw him, I KNEW.  No joke, I told all my girlfriends…” I’m GOING to marry that man”.  I knew nothing about him, but  it was like the cosmos aligned and fireworks went off. It was like gravity pulling me to him.  Done deal. Sadly,  we didn’t really talk too much at work and within a month of me being there, he unexpectedly left the company and moved away. He was going to school at San Diego State University and moved back home to Simi Valley during Christmas break.

A couple months went by and I hadn’t seen him and then randomly one day I was at the front of our store and I see him walk by and he WAVED at me. This was a BIG deal for me.   I had a huge crush on him [clearly] and didn’t think he would have in a million years remember me, let alone wave to me. Very shortly after that I found out he was working at the store right across the way from ours. To my surprise, my boss found out he was back in town and re-hired him. I was a giddy school girl when I found out he was coming back to our store. After he came back we started to hang out and well, the rest is pretty much history. I was hooked…and I think he was too.

Fast forward to January of last year.  Alex and I have at this point been together 6 years or so and are living in Florida. Alex tells me to take a weekend off of work and that we are going on an adventure to see what Florida has to offer. We end up going to the cutest town called St. Augustine. It is actually a historical town and I HIGHLY recommend a visit! The first night we went out and had some good food, saw a few things and that was it. The next day we went all over looking at super old buildings, a really cool old college, and at night we went on a ghost tour [for reals]. We decided before the tour to get a bite to eat and some drinks.  So we have a little bit of time before the tour and walk through the court yard/park area in the middle of the town where all the trees are glowing with lights.  It was rather romantic if I do say so myself.

At this point I started to get nervous because he was acting nervous. He kept looking around and being kind of weird. We stop in front of a fountain  [true story] and he hugs me. I knew what was coming, mainly because I could feel his heart beating a mile a minute. He got down and proposed right there with his grandmother’s ring. Obviously, I cried like a baby. He had talked to both his family and my parents  months previously when we came to California on a visit.  It is all definitely something I will never, ever forget.

Megan and Alex decided to do a First Look on their wedding day.  I wish someone had told me about a first look when I got married a few years ago.  The First Look is when the bride and groom decide to see each other for the first time before their ceremony begins.  Alex stood with his back to Megan as she walked towards him from across the meadow.

Then as she draws nearer, he turned to look at her for the first time.  There’s no one around…(except for us in a distance).  He looked at her, she smiled and tears welled up in his eyes.  He is overtaken by her beauty and they giggle together.  They embrace…he whispers in her ear how beautiful she looks and kisses her over and over again.  They get to relish in the moment of seeing each other for the first time…and I mean really relish.  The moment isn’t rushed. There aren’t a hundred sets of eyes watching them.  There isn’t a timeline or a schedule to adhere to.  He isn’t interrupting anyone as he tells her how much he loves her.  It’s their moment.  And theirs alone.

The Condor’s Nest Ranch is located in Pala, California. If I could re-do my wedding, this is where I would have it.  If you love the rustic country feel, this is your venue!

 Megan did all of the decor and planning herself!!!! She said she owes all of it to Pinterest. I think she may be in the wrong profession and should consider a career as a wedding planner!  I mean seriously, Oh my goodness!  Look at the adorable honey jars.. and the succulents.. and the flowers.. just noticed the mason jars… *sigh

Since Pinterest came on the scene wedding details have been getting better and better.  This by far the most spectacular wedding I have ever seen.

My favorite part of the venue…the huge oak tree (I am totally guessing that is an oak tree, could be wrong).  Not only did it provide an amazing backdrop, but I feel like it represents marriage and a life spent together. With proper care and a solid foundation your love will continue to grow stronger and bigger as the years pass by.

Thank you guys for allowing me to be a part of your big day.  I had such a great time with you and I am so happy for your new future together as husband and wife.