Country Garden Caterers
July 28th, 2019 was Laura and Joey’s one-year anniversary! So in honor of one year of marriage, we’re featuring their Country Garden Caterers Wedding on our blog!
We loved getting to capture this stunning celebration in Orange County last summer! Not only was their outdoor ceremony at Oak Canyon Nature Center a gorgeous whimsical backdrop to say I do but also perfect for portraits of the newlyweds and their wedding party! Laura told us during the planning process that she had dreamed of a ceremony space surrounded by oak trees, and when she stumbled upon Oak Canyon Nature Center on Pinterest, she knew she HAD to have her wedding there! It was exactly what she had envisioned and hoped for in her wedding ceremony! The whimsical and enchanting wedding theme carried through to the Country Garden Caterers reception venue, which is such a charming and cozy space to celebrate your special day with your closest friends and family!
We started the day off by capturing the lovely couple getting ready alongside their wedding party. There were laughs shared and excitement brewing as the time to walk down the aisle came closer and closer. Laura got all dolled up with help from the talented Elizabeth Hickman of OC Beauty By Elizabeth and was ready to finish her look with her stunning gown from David’s Bridal. While Laura and her bride tribe were getting ready, Joey and his groomsmen had some fun posing for photos with an impromptu pillow fight! After the fun, it was finally time to walk down the aisle! Joey awaited his bride in a navy blue Men’s Wearhouse suit with blush pink accents to tie in with the wedding color palette of white, navy, and muted pinks.
After tying the knot at the woodsy and whimsical outdoor ceremony, it was time to celebrate these two becoming one! The party continued at the enchanting Country Garden Caterers in Santa Ana! With tunes provided by Danny Aon Events, and cake crafted by A Little Something Sweet Desserts, it was definitely a party to remember!
Thank you so much Joey and Laura for inviting us to capture your beautiful wedding day! Happy Anniversary from the Three16 Photography family!
Joey and Laura’s Love Story
How did you both meet?
We met through a mutual friend and bridesmaid, Devon. We met outside of Laura’s house late one night when Devon pulled up with her friends and Joey was in the car. Laura was 19, Joey was 18, and Laura thought Joey looked like he was 26 and didn’t want to date anyone that “old”. We both started hanging out more since they were all mutual friends and Devon set them up on a semi-blind date.
Who liked who first?
I think Joey liked Laura first since Laura was shyer and didn’t even think about getting into a relationship at that time.
Tell us about your first date. Who was more nervous? Laura was definitely more nervous!!
What did you guys do? We went on a double date to boomers and played minigolf! After we went to Lollicup and got boba and that was the first time Joey shared a drink with Laura. That was how Laura gauged how the date was going- she figured that if he wanted to share a drink with her then he probably liked her- lame I know. hahaha
What’s the proposal story? Give us all the details! Who cried first?
Laura had worked earlier in the day and then had to go study with a friend and now bridesmaid, Savannah, for a microbiology final. We studied for a few hours, and then I received a phone call from Joey saying that he was at my parents’ house and was making me dinner to help me de-stress from finals. He wanted to know when I would be home and told me to stop at the grocery store on my way home. Savannah and I left Starbucks where we were studying, and I drove off to the grocery store down the street from my house. Little did I know Savannah was right behind me rushing to get to my parents’ house before I did for the big surprise. I called Joey and he told me to pick up lettuce for a salad and something for dessert! I got what we needed and headed home. I walked in the front door with my backpack on one shoulder and a bag of lettuce and cookies in my hand. Joey was in the doorway waiting for me along with about 75 of our family and friends and Joey’s dog! haha, then Joey got down on one knee and proposed!!! I of course said yes, and my hands were shaking! Right after, we celebrated with our engagement party with all our loved ones! I definitely spent 50% of the time crying hahaha
As you approach the wedding day, what have you both enjoyed most about the wedding planning process?
Looking forward to our big day, just dreaming about seeing it all come together. We have both been working so hard, me with nursing school and Joey with work to support me through nursing school, that we want to celebrate our achievements by entering marriage together!
What has been the hardest part about planning your wedding?
The invitations and guest list and registry.
Why did you choose your particular wedding and reception venue?
I had a vision of oak trees in my mind and when I found Oak Canyon Nature Center on Pinterest my jaw dropped because it was exactly, EXACTLY, what I was dreaming of.
Where did you draw some of your inspiration from for your wedding day?
I tried to keep things simple and not lose focus on our desire to enter marriage together. That is what this day is all about and the details really don’t matter. I want to wear my dress and walk down that aisle to Joey and get married. The rest could not make a difference. So, I guess my inspiration was to keep it easy, and simple, and a focus on nature.
Where are you going for your honeymoon? Vashon Island, WA and Seattle, WA.
Are you excited? Yes!
Why did you choose that destination? We can’t have a long honeymoon at this time so we wanted to do a mini-moon. We wanted something private, yet someplace new! We got a cute little home on the beach on Vashon Island and we’re going to explore Washington and Seattle while we are there!
Vendors used for Joey and Laura’s Country Garden Caterers Wedding:
CEREMONY VENUE: Oak Canyon Nature Center
6700 E Walnut Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807
RECEPTION VENUE, COORDINATION, & CATERING: Country Garden Caterers
Instagram: @countrygardencaterers
FLORIST: Fuji Wholesale Flowers
DJ: Danny Aon Events
Instagram: @djdannyaon
CAKE: A Little Something Sweet Desserts
Instagram: @alittlesomethingsweetdesserts
DRESS: Davids Bridal
Brand / Designer: JEWEL
Website: http://www.davidsbridal.com
Instagram: @davidsbridal
DECOR: Party Pieces by Perry
Instagram: @partypiecesbyperry
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Elizabeth Hickman
Instagram: @ocbeautybyelizabeth
GROOM’S SUIT:: Mens Wearhouse
Instagram: @menswearhouse
WEDDING INVITATION: Minted
Instagram: @minted
Loved reading about Joey and Laura’s Country Garden Caterers Wedding? Show them some love by liking and commenting below! Also, check out some of our other recent blogs like Jackie and Nico’s Rancho Las Lomas Wedding, and Steve and Maria’s Waterfront Beach Resort Wedding where there may have been a celebrity guest appearance!
