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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Say Hello to Mr. and Mrs. Hernquist

On July 10, 2011, Melanie, an event designer, and David, a math teacher, became husband and wife in a beautiful ceremony in California’s Sonoma Wine Country.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
02
The Perfect Place to Come Together

For the bride, picking the quaint and picturesque location was a simple choice. “We knew that being in Sonoma with our friends and family was very important to us and that the food would be amazing no matter where we choose,” says Melanie.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
03
Surprise!

Originally Melanie picked a wedding gown that tied at the waist, which she absolutely loved, but she was about to get another surprise. She swapped her original dress out for this gorgeous Grecian inspired one-shoulder gown when she found out they were expecting a little bundle of joy.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
04
Diamonds and Pearls

Melanie’s pretty pearls, sparking studs, and floral peep-toe shoes complement her romantic wedding style to a tee.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
05
Good Times

It didn’t take Melanie very long to realize he was her dream guy. She recalls a trip they once took together to Oregon. “We told stories of our lives and laughed and laughed all night. I never laughed that much in my life and I knew I never wanted it to end.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
06
Identical Twins

Melanie’s sweet daughter Zoe not only lent her mom a hand in planning the special day, but she also got a chance to wear a hairstyle and outfit similar to Mommy’s, too. Doesn’t she look delighted to share the spotlight with her mom?

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
07
The Other Lady of the Hour

“We recognized and said vows to Zoe, my daughter from a previous relationship,” says Melanie. “We gave her a special locket during the ceremony to symbolize our new bond as a family.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
08
Say Cheese

The ring bearer shows off his pearly whites and pretty boutonniere for the camera.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
09
No Florist Needed

Super-talented designer extraordinaire Melanie is braver than most brides. Rather than hire a florist, she designed her own floral arrangements and bouquet for her big day. How she found the time, we’ll never know, but the finished product was absolutely divine.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
10
Map of Love

To keep guests informed on where to find the wedding day fun, the couple had this map designed to help everyone get around their wedding site.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
11
Love Is In the Air

Melanie painted water color hearts on the invitations, and chose a heart shape for their wedding programs to match. Carrying small elements of your theme into and throughout your big day is just one of many easy ways to make your wedding one-of-a-kind.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
12
You May Now Kiss the Bride

Melanie and David pucker up to perfection at the altar. Notice the gorgeous paper poms and streamers in back? It’s an easy way to instantly spice up your altar and add romantic pops of color.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
13
Casual Cutie

“David’s suit was from Nordstrom,” Melanie tells us. “We wanted him to look casual and comfortable.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
14
Alternative Chic

Want to save on flowers? Take a cue from Melanie’s adorable DIY wedding style and make your own corsages and boutonnieres out of lace fabrics, buttons, felt, and any other crafty finds you can get your hands on in your wedding colors.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
15
Celebrate Good Times, Come On

Melanie and David wanted to be sure their guests were relaxed and enjoyed the day. This slogan served as a friendly reminder.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
16
Sweet Treats to Go

“I love red velvet cupcakes,” Melanie says. Her dear friend Hailey with Dots and Cupcakes in Pasadena created a red velvet cupcake mix that the couple put in muslin bags for the guests. Now this is what we call a unique favor idea — we bet the couple’s guests were delighted to find out what was inside those pretty little bags.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
17
The Extra Mile

Even the sweets got all dressed up for Melanie and David’s big day. Don’t you just love Melanie’s eye for style? She’s the creator and founder of Lucky and Lovely, an Atlanta-based event and branding design company.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
18
Dinner Is Served

Guests took a seat at these lovely king tables and snacked on little baskets of fresh berries as they waited for the meal to be served.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
19
Just Go With It

When Melanie and David first connected on eHarmony.com, they were surprisingly open with one another. Things felt right from the start, so rather than fight their feelings, they both agreed to just go with it. It was an excellent call. Just look where they ended up a year later.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
20
Something New and Blue

“One of my favorite memories was waiting to go down the aisle, and the waitress at the restaurant brought me something blue,” Melanie recalls. “I was so nervous and parched and they handed me a lavender lemonade. It really quenched my thirst.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
21
We Cry Together

“I loved walking down the aisle and seeing David there,” Melanie tells us. “I loved saying my vows. There wasn’t a dry eye there, and I remember looking at my daughter and seeing her cry. It was very sweet.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
22
I Defer to You

“Planning together was fun,” says Melanie, who admits she took total control of their to-do-list. “David trusted all my choices and suggestions and went with it. It was very easy breezy.”

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
23
No Bloopers Here

“Absolutely nothing went wrong,” Melanie says. “It was the perfect day.” Join us in congratulating the happy couple. To see more amazing photos from Melanie and David’s wedding day visit The Bride’s Cafe now.

Bridal Bliss: Melanie + David
Something Pretty Fine Art Photography
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