The Ramsey
The bride’s comments from their day:
….WOW!! The pictures are beautiful!! We are so happy with them! The lighting was perfect….
Back in December, Gerald and Felicia had contacted Weddings in Monterey and Heidi Borgia Photography about helping them with their dream wedding with their toes in the sand in Carmel on the beach. They were coming down for a couple of days with their family from Clovis, California.
As with all of our wedding couples, we have a “plan B” situation in case rain is expected. Just a few days before the wedding we checked the weather forecast and it called for rain. As you may know, rain here on the Monterey Peninsula is very rare, so we were very surprised ourselves and started watching the radar forecast very closely from this point forward.
As you may know, rain here on the Monterey Peninsula is very rare, so we were very surprised ourselves and started watching the radar forecast very closely from this point forward.
A day before the wedding we were chatting with Gerald and Felicia and asked if they would indeed still like to get married with a slight rain. They both had dreamed of this day on the beach in Carmel with their families watching them exchange their vows – rain or no rain.
The day of the wedding we spoke with them multiple times and told them about little “windows” of no rain in this exact spot on the beach hour by hour… we found a time and we went for it. They did have a very slight rain during their wedding but it still worked out perfectly.
Their vows to each other were beautiful and included;
As Maya Angelou wrote, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Barbara De Angelis reminds us that “Marriage…. isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner, every day.
Days like these I am so happy that I always have an assistant with me to help set up my portable lighting – quickly and efficiently as we were beating the rain! By using off camera flash (multiple strobes), we were able to make the scenery pop and not dreary/rainy at all.
They stayed in a local venue at The Monterey Hilton Garden Inn and had dinner with their family to celebrate after at the famous Hog’s Breath Inn in Carmel. Felicia’s beautiful florals were supplied by Swenson and Silacci Florist. The colors in her bouquet were stunning.
A little rain in Carmel on your wedding day – don’t let that stop your dream wedding plans! We are always here for our couples to make anything happen.
Vendor Team
Wedding Planner and Permit: Weddings in Monterey
Officiant: Monterey Wedding Officiant – Brian Borgia
Floral: Swenson & Silacci
Photography: Heidi Borgia Photography
Rain on your wedding day……
Flexibility is key – rain does not ruin a wedding day! We are so very lucky to live in an area in California that rarely rarely see’s rain… when it arrives we all sort of scratch our heads and wait to for it disappear very soon.
We had heard that rain may be coming and knowing that most all of our ceremonies are outdoors, we always watch the weather forecasts for our couples.
Yesterday we were watching the radar maps minute by minute to see if we could make this couple’s dream come true without a drop of rain. The radar maps showed that there was a cleaning expecting for an hour and a half which was perfect timing for their wedding. We all waiting in our cars (guests, us (officiant/photographer and assistant) with a few chairs – until it was the right moment to pop out and set up. The day before Brian and I set out looking for an idea spot under the tree’s at Berwick Park to hold a wedding in case it rained. We found this spot and a couple of other other spots before and after this area. We knew we had out plan B and C and were super excited to make this happen for them. The couple was gracious and just knew that they wanted to have their wedding outside if they could – even in a sprinkle as they had waiting for was a long time coming. They really wanted it to happen yesterday as it was their 6 year anniversary. The pandemic had already altered their plans once and they hoped that yesterday it would be the day to exchange their vows.
In the end, the spot was perfect under the trees. The rain in the end was a small sprinkle and no one even noticed the rain coming down. Luckily, I was the only one that got caught in the rain a little and with ziplock bags (no kidding!) for my gear and my assistant holding an umbrella over my head – it was a great success! As a wedding photographer I have always believed in having an assistant with me during the day to help out with gear, lighting and now… to help out to ensure I don’t get soaked! My assistant helps ensure that everything is done in a timely manner with no lags during the day for setting up lights, etc. One of my pet peeves is having the couple wait around for me to “get ready for the shot” and thankfully, I don’t have to do this with an assistant nearby all of the time. This way I can also get them more images in the time we have together.
One of the things in life that one cannot control is the weather – we’ve known this for the past 10 years we’ve been setting up weddings for our couples. Just know that we will do whatever possible to help you have your perfect day – in sun, fog or rain! We cannot control the rain, but we can control our clients stress levels. We really appreciated this kind couple to enable for us to make this happen for them.
Congratulations TJ and Shea!
#rainonyourweddingday
Vendor Team
Planner – @weddingsinmonterey
Venue – Berwick Park in Pacific Grove
Officiant – @montereyweddingofficiant
Photographer – @heidiborgiaphotography
When a puppy brings two people together…
Yes! That is exactly what happened with K and R! These two sweet millennials met on Facebook over 8 years ago. She saw a picture of his new puppy and yes, that was it. She DMed him and soon the rest was history.
Kelsey said their first date they “ate an endless amount of clam chowder and laughed the entire night and we’ve been inseparable ever since”. Ricky proposed at the beautiful Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and even hired a secret photographer to capture it all so their families could see it too.
On their wedding day, they look back and loved “living in the moment and hearing the sounds of the ocean”. The truly had planned so long to get married and decided that a Big Sur Elopement with Weddings in Monterey was perfect!
I asked Kelsey about what she felt was important to share with other couples in planning for her wedding day and she said “…photography was number one important as an aspect from our wedding day…. We did a lot of research. Read review! Also, always hire your photographer for extra time. Spending the money for a quality photographer is soooo worth it”. Insert me, Heidi… blushing here :-).
This intimate wedding was picturesque over the cliffs of Big Sur. After the ceremony we took some portraits along the cliffs of Big Sur and then headed down to the Redwoods at Glen Oaks Big Sur. Travel and Leisure even said that they were “one of the world’s most romantic hotels”. Check them out! We highly recommend them as a place of peace and tranquility.
Vendor Team
Wedding Planner – @weddingsinmonterey | www.weddingsinmonterey.com
Officiant – @montereybayweddingofficiants | www.montereybayweddingofficiants.com
Photographer – @heidiborgiaphotography | www.heidiborgiaphotography.com
Hair and Make Up – the bride!
Shoe Designer – @Target –www.target.com – last minute change of plans to get sneaks for the beach!
Bride’s Gown – @davidsbridal | http://wwww.davidsbridal.com
Groom’s Tux – @friartux | www.friartux.com
Floral Designer – @swensonsillaciflowers | https://swensonandsilacciflowers.com/
Cake Designer – @mainst.bakeryandcatering | https://www.mainstreetbakeryandcatering.com/
Accommodations – @glenoaksbigsur | https://glenoaksbigsur.com/
Sweet Chelsea reached out to me as their plans had changed due to the pandemic and I was thrilled she did! This was the most beautiful and elegant small event at the gorgeous La Playa Hotel located in Carmel. She knew when she met Christian 6 or so years ago, that he WAS the one for her. Their vows were so genuine and touching to each other. Brought a tear to my eye. This is just the first of two ceremonies that they are going to have. They surprised most everyone they know that they eloped! Their big ceremony will wait for a bit – but they are so thrilled that they are married now. Melisa at the hotel was a gem and helped them with their dream mini wedding. La Playa – one of the most magical spots to get married in Carmel. After the ceremony (officiated by their dear friend) we took some portraits on site and then a few down on Carmel Beach. I cannot wait to keep in touch with these two and follow their love story….
Team
Venue – @laplayaca
Photography – @heidiborgiaphotography
Floral – @fleursdusoleilmonterey
Hair – @bridalhairbykelsey
Make Up – muahmakeupandhair
These two lovebirds… where do I start? Oh my goodness. This past June, Lauren reached out to Brian my husband asking if Weddings in Monterey could help her and her fiance get married. They wanted Brian to officiate the wedding and me to document their day. After spending some time with Brian talking over all of the amazing spots to get married locally – they decided on the gorgeous Bernardus Lodge and Spa. We love working with the staff at Bernardus and were thrilled when they chose this beautiful location in Carmel Valley.
The actual wedding day went off without a hitch! She had just a few family members witness their vows in the rose gardens with the picturesque sunset setting behind the mountains.
You could see in an instant the connection these two have for each other. Wishing them both the absolute best in their new lives together!
Team of Vendors
Venue – Bernardus Lodge and Spa
Hair and Make Up – Mrs. Powersbeauty by Carina Powers
Floral – Unskripted Design by Aga
Officiant – Monterey Bay Wedding Officiants – Brian Borgia
Photography – Heidi Borgia Photography
Jeni and Jonathan were to get married originally in August – but their plans changed due to Covid. They switched courses and we were so grateful that they found us! They had just a few guests present to include their sons, her mom and two sisters.
These two were together for six years (wow!) on their wedding day. Another reason they chose Carmel? Jonathan told Jen that he loved her the first time when they were on vacation in Carmel and he also popped the question in Carmel! We are sensing a renewal of vows in Carmel in a six years time too 🙂
Vendors:
Wedding Planning – Weddings in Monterey
Officiant – Brian Borgia
Floral – Wildflower by Hayley
Make Up and Hair – Spa Bella Mobile Day Spa
Photography – Heidi Borgia Photography
About a week ago, these two Monterey locals exchanged their vows in front of their family at the exquisite Highlands Inn overlooking the grand Pacific Ocean. They had bigger plans before the pandemic to have a larger wedding – but decided to make alternate plans that ‘fit’ during this time for them. They had just a few family members attend their wedding and help them celebrate. It will be a surprise to some folks that they did indeed get married after all – they wished you could all be there, but they hope to celebrate with you all after the pandemic is gone and everyone can connect safely.
I loved being a part of their little day and it was even more fun as Stela is also in the hospitality industry locally and we know a lot of the same people! Being an event planner, she knew exactly what she wanted for her big day. With that said, they were so kind and laid back on their wedding day – it was like hanging out with friends and I just happened to bring my camera with me 🙂
Wishing these two fabulous friends a lifetime of happiness.
Vendor Team
Venue – The Highlands Inn
Officiant – Brian Borgia, Monterey Wedding Officiants
Cake – Layers Bakery
Flowers – Burst and Bloom
Hair and Makeup – MUAH
Wedding Dress and Tuxedo – Epiphany Boutique
Back in January of this year, Laura reached out to Brian and I to see if we could be a small part of their day with their family. Their dream was to be married with their toes in the sand with their 6 kids present. We made it happen for them and thankfully the pandemic did not de-rail their plans!
We met them at the beautiful Monterey Tides Hotel, which is right on the water in Monterey. We started with a first look…. Laura really wanted to have the sunset drop right behind her as she said her “I do’s”, so we decided to take pictures of the family and the two of them before the actual ceremony. Not all laid out plans work perfectly as it was a little foggy that night and we did not get that idea sunset. We all still had a wonderful time and the kids were fantastic sports. They even brought along their 4 month old puppy.
Thanks so much L and T! Wishing you the best lives together with your adorable family.
Vendor Team
Venue – Monterey Tides Hotel – @montereytides
Photographer – Heidi Borgia – @heidiborgiaphotography
Officiant – Brian Borgia – @montereyweddingofficiant
This local couple wanted to exchange their vows in front of their parents and a couple of friends in a wooded area and we found the perfect spot for them! It was a sweet, intimate mini wedding.
Wishing them both the best future together!
Vendor Team
Wedding Planner – Weddings in Monterey – @weddingsinmonterey
Photographer – Heidi Borgia – @heidiborgiaphotography
Officiant – Brian Borgia – @montereyweddingofficiant
Weddings in Monterey (Brian and I) met up with James and Jenna in July along the shores of Carmel River State Beach. There are a couple of different locations to choose at this beach to get married (with our permit) and they chose the Cove area – honestly, my favorite!
With them to help celebrate their wedding day came two of their best friends – James’ sister and her husband.
J and J live in a small community in Northern California and on a ranch! They come to visit the Carmel area frequently as James’ dad is a retired real estate specialists in Carmel and lives locally as well.
There was so much joy that radiated from the two of them and they were so excited to exchange their vows.
After dinner the four went to the new restaurant in Carmel, called The Pocket (we have yet to check it out).
Wishing them both a lifetime of love and happiness and look forward to connecting again with them the next time they are in town for a drink or two!
Vendor Team
Wedding Planner – Weddings in Monterey – @weddingsinmonterey
Photographer – Heidi Borgia – @heidiborgiaphotography
Officiant – Brian Borgia – @montereyweddingofficiant
Location with permit – @weddingsinmonterey
