“Alexis and Nick are exactly the best kind of couple, warm, loving and gracious. I never once felt as though I was working on that day, I was a loved and appreciated guest, surrounded by other equally as loved and appreciated guests. The wedding and venue were spectacular, like old Hollywood glam had met up with the most spectacular of home town, local, agriculture. It was amazing and I was absolutely thrilled to have taken part in their wedding.” – Carrie Buttler Photography
What is your favorite wedding day memory?
“There were so many amazing memories from our wedding day, but I would have to say that taking a moment to look at the faces of all our favorite people in one place was one of the highlights that made it so meaningful. We were truly amazed and honored that these people would take the time to travel to be with us for our wedding day. Everything that we imagined came together in that moment and all the stress of preparation and planning were worth it for the feeling we had as we took it all in…
What did you DIY for your wedding?
..our families really came together to help us save money and put a personal touch on the wedding day. My mom, two sisters and I made our own mason jar candles. We poured our own scented wax into decorated jars with burlap, ribbon, and lace to light the guests tables. They turned out great and we have used them many times since (even for a power outage in our new home). We also wrapped wooden letters (our initials) with green floral moss and twine to use as decorative elements. My uncle, an artist, designed our invitations, programs and menus. And my husbands aunt did all the flowers for the bridal party and wedding day. We had a small 3-tier wedding cake to cut but the main dessert was an incredible DIY bar with “his and hers” favorite desserts. On my side was a strawberry shortcake bar and my husbands side had a build your own chocolate cake bar with every topping you can imagine. Our guests loved it!
One of the best DIY projects that we incorporated in our wedding were the favors for our guests. We had a “Farmers Market” theme and sourced all local products to highlight Winters, CA. This is the charming town where we were married and my husbands hometown. My mother-in-law and other family members made homemade jams and jarred veggies, we had locally farmed honey and fruit jellies, and handmade soaps. The highlight favor were the walnuts and almonds in burlap bags (hand decorated by my sister-in-law and aunt) from my husbands fathers ranch. We provided our out of town guests a picnic lunch and hay bail tractor tours of the family ranch the day after the wedding. It was such an important element of our wedding and really made it one of a kind!
What was your something old, new, borrowed and blue?
..Yes, I loved the tradition and had all the elements for our wedding day. My something old was a broach on my bouquet that belonged to my husbands grandmother – a very important member of his family sadly no longer with us. My something new was my wedding dress designed by Allure Bridal. My something borrowed was my veil – it was worn by my mother in her wedding 35 years before and restored for our wedding. It will be passed down to my two younger sisters that want to wear it in their wedding’s someday as well. And my something blue was my garter I found on Etsy – I bought one to keep for myself and a matching one my husband threw to all the single men :)
Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?
..My advice is really to make your day personal and memorable for YOU. Try not to get wrapped up in every detail while planning, many people won’t appreciate or remember all the little things. Pick a few big elements that are important to you such as a photographer, or band and try to save money on the smaller details that can add up quickly. There are many elements of a wedding that can be costly and stressful, but when you are able to keep the focus on you and your fiancé you will be successful no matter what!” – Alexis, the bride
Event Credits
Photographer: Carrie Butler Photography // Wedding Planner and Design: Alexis Muecke (Bride) // Day of Coordinators: Katie Baxendale, Seamless Details and Amy Jones (Brides Close Friend) // Venue: Inn at Park Winters // Decorations and Designs: Kari Staats (Groom’s Sister) // Invitations, Programs, Menu: Carl Muecke (Brides Uncle) // Calligraphy: Elizabeth Kenney, Elizabeth’s Elegant Pen // Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridal // Groom’s Suit: Jos A. Bank // Floral Design: RoseMarie Hendrickx (Grooms Aunt) **Also used elements from floral designers Diane Reichenbach, Whimsey Florals and Sue Merrill, Suzan M. Florals, (Brides Family Friends) // Caterer: Buckhorn Catering // Cake, Dessert Bar: Carissa Jones, Sugar and Spice Specialty Desserts // Ceremony and Reception Band: Loca Mota // DJ: Troy Barnett, DJ Barnett Entertainment (Childhood Friend of the Groom) // Walnuts and Almonds: Lopez Ranch (Husband’s Family) // Local Honey and Jams: Cindy Baker, Morgan’s of California // All local wine for both the rehearsal dinner, Barryessa Gap Vineyards and wedding reception, Turkovich Wines.
