Six months after dating, Christina relocated to Chicago, and Reed soon joined her in the "Windy City." Two years later, they settled back into their Texas lives, and a little more than a year later, Reed took their relationship to the next level.
During the summer of 2009, the couple vacationed with Christina's parents and some friends in South Padre Island, Texas. During a walk on the beach, Reed romantically proposed; afterwards, they had the engagement ring made, incorporating a diamond from Reed's grandmother and bands with baguettes from Christina's mother. "I love that I get to wear both families on my hand every day," she exclaimed.
When Christina, who works in the chemical plant industry, found out she had to work a hectic three-month special assignment, she knew the details for the April 23 wedding would need to be finalized in January and quickly started the planning process with the help of her mother and married girlfriends.
On the day of the wedding, bright, vivid colors and spring greenery and flowers enriched the divine Villa Antonia. A classical guitarist set the romantico tone as 130 guests arrived and mingled in the Italian-inspired villa. The five bridesmaids all looked fabulous in deep teal, knee-length taffeta dresses, and the groomsmen wore black tuxes with kiwi green vests and ties that complimented the bridesmaid's dresses, all from Al's Formal Wear. But before the molto bella bride walked down the aisle in her traditional strapless satin gown, the crystal clear sky turned into dark clouds and started to rain.
With original plans for an outdoor ceremony, the weather caused the amore-filled event to move into the chapel's reception area. "We weren't worried because Villa Antonia has such amazing indoor options in case of bad weather," said the bride. "In addition to diffusing the potential for chaos from the storm, Michaja, the Villa's event planner, was on top of our every need throughout the entire evening. She didn't miss a beat! The weather was actually a blessing in disguise because it revealed the true meaning of the evening: The wedding was about Reed and me and sharing the ceremony with the people who meant the most to us; it was very romantic and intimate." The rain united the groom's Jewish, Canadian family with the bride's Catholic, Italian family.
Suzanne Louzau, the couple's officiant from One Fine Day Weddings, allowed the couple to have as much control as they wanted in writing the ceremony. "It was very personal. She did a beautiful job and was a pleasure to work with," said the bride.
Aimage Photography, captured every detail of the night, allowing the memories of the evening to be locked in photographs for the bride and groom to cherish forever.
Sterling Affairs set up a beautiful buffet display, including savory hor d'oeuvres and main dishes of: cheese, crackers and vegetables; blue crab cakes; pecan chicken tenders; and whole decorated salmon. For dessert, guests enjoyed an Italian ice cream bar. The champagne cake with strawberry cheesecake filling and butter cream icing was inspired from the details of the bride's dress and scrollwork from the couple's invitations, while Reed opted for several varieties of cheesecake instead of the traditional chocolate groom's cake.
Everyone danced the night away to music played by their DJ from Best DJs Texas. Guests took home sugar cookies in the shape of little wedding cakes, baked by a family friend who started her own business, Forever Crumbs - "a little taste of home," according to Christina, who grew up eating these cookies at parties and holidays.
With an original wish to wed in Hawaii, the couple chose the island destination for their two-week honeymoon, enjoying exciting events from sailing to snorkeling and hiking to hula-ing. Without wedding planning madness, life has slowed down for the newlyweds, allowing time for traveling, concert and movie viewing and more.
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