Today, Joanne officially bought her wedding gown. She and her friend Kelly went to Trudy's in Campbell for a 10:00 am appointment. Her wedding dress consultant, Diane, who happened to be the fashion director of the store, has worked at Trudy's for 8 1/2 years.
By 11:00 am, Joanne had tried on 6 dresses and picked the dress of her dreams and was at the register purchasing it. It is a gorgeous dress and was below her budget (which is always a plus plus).
When purchasing her dress, she got to meet Trudy herself, and was pleased with her good spirits which made her love her purchase even more.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Weather and Other Information
GROUNDS
Our wedding reception is going to be held on the same grounds as our wedding ceremony. One of our goals is to make sure we have a wedding where all of our guests can feel comfortable and not rushed. We also are going to make sure you are all well fed and have lots of leg room.
We are lucky to have a venue that gives our guests the option of being indoor or outdoor. The inside of the house will have a dance floor, a bar, and lounging areas. Since our venue is a Santa Cruz County Park, you have the option of exploring the parks grounds before or after the wedding ceremony.
WEATHER
Records and Averages on June 11th in Ben Lomond, CA
Average Low 51°
Average High 72°
Record Low 43° (1952)
Record High 88° (2008)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Proposal
On February 20, 2010, we went backpacking in Henry W. Coe State park, in Morgan Hill, CA. The weather turned out to be rainy and cold, but we still pushed forward. We ended up hiking down (literally) to Madrone Soda Springs. We set up our lightweight 3 season tent, our water filter, and our two-burner Coleman propane stove. We had a backpackers dinner (just add water) and read books and avoided getting wet from the rain. Unfortunately, our 3 season tent didn't include the rain season so we basically got no sleep, woke up cold and soaking wet. We trekked up (literally) back to our car.
On February 21, 2010, we got home to discover Joanne had a tick sticking out of the middle of her chest. Joel tweezed the tick out which left a reddish/purple bulls eye smack dab in the middle. Joanne was sore, tired, and freaked out from getting lyme disease from the awful tick. When she got out from here needed hot shower, Joel was on bended knee at the bathroom door with ring in hand and proposed. He explained how he had many ideas of proposing, but due to the weather and timing none fell through. Joanne stood there shaking and happily accepted, the timing to her couldn't have been more perfect.
To celebrate, we went with our friend, Rich, to La Victoria's only to get into a car accident. Someone hit our car, it was dark and raining and some lady hit us while we were making a u-turn. Joanne's car was basically totaled and not driveable. We were both safe, but our car was not.
Definitely a proposal we both won't ever forget.
Ceremony and Reception Location
We are getting married at Highlands Park in Ben Lomand, CA.
Highlands Park is a historical mansion from the early 1900's (see "History" below). We instantly fell in love with this place because of the house that comes with the property and the green open lawn it has for us to get married. Though we would have preferred more redwoods and other trees surrounding us, it has an open space that allows for people to stretch their legs and go for a stroll. You can take a virtual tour here if you want a sneak peak.
Address:
8500 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9707
History
In the early 1900's, Lord and Lady Anderson, of England, bought the 43 acres which now make up Highlands Park. They built an English-style mansion on the property and named it "The Highlands," in honor of Lord Anderson's Scottish heritage. When his wife died, Lord Anderson sold the land.
It was in the hands of developers until the Nasser family bought it in the late 1930's. The Nassers tore down the aging Anderson mansion and built the home which is still on the property today. The Nasser family, being entrepreneurs in the entertainment/filming business, regularly enjoyed entertaining guests in the house.
Santa Cruz County Parks purchased the property in 1974, and the park opened as San Lorenzo Valley park in 1977. The name was later changed to Highlands Park in memory of Lord and Lady Anderson.
Highlands Park is a historical mansion from the early 1900's (see "History" below). We instantly fell in love with this place because of the house that comes with the property and the green open lawn it has for us to get married. Though we would have preferred more redwoods and other trees surrounding us, it has an open space that allows for people to stretch their legs and go for a stroll. You can take a virtual tour here if you want a sneak peak.
Address:
8500 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9707
History
In the early 1900's, Lord and Lady Anderson, of England, bought the 43 acres which now make up Highlands Park. They built an English-style mansion on the property and named it "The Highlands," in honor of Lord Anderson's Scottish heritage. When his wife died, Lord Anderson sold the land.
It was in the hands of developers until the Nasser family bought it in the late 1930's. The Nassers tore down the aging Anderson mansion and built the home which is still on the property today. The Nasser family, being entrepreneurs in the entertainment/filming business, regularly enjoyed entertaining guests in the house.
Santa Cruz County Parks purchased the property in 1974, and the park opened as San Lorenzo Valley park in 1977. The name was later changed to Highlands Park in memory of Lord and Lady Anderson.
Wedding Colors
Our wedding colors are a four part set: Chocolate brown, Tropical Blue (or Tiffany), Clover, and Champagne (see sample picture above, but missing chocolate brown). Joanne originally just was set on having chocolate brown and clover, but figured since she is having an outdoor wedding, she wanted some bright colors to give some contrast.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Engagement Ring
Joanne's engagement ring has a vintage trilogy style setting. It has 36 diamond facets surrounding the center three main diamonds. Trilogy rings are very special because of the meaning, it symbolizes the past, present and future. The ring is saying "Joanne is Joel's life - his past, present and future is all with her."
The middle stone represents the present. Christian couples, like us, attach a different meaning when the two side stones represent us and the center stone represents God who is the core of the relationship.
Since we have a mature relationship, the meaning of the middle stone also represents commitment and the diamonds on either side promise trust and respect.
The middle stone represents the present. Christian couples, like us, attach a different meaning when the two side stones represent us and the center stone represents God who is the core of the relationship.
Since we have a mature relationship, the meaning of the middle stone also represents commitment and the diamonds on either side promise trust and respect.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Handmade Save the Dates
Last week, we picked out the materials we are going to be using for our save the dates. Joel helped pick out a green card stock with leaves embossed into it. The reason behind his choice was because we are getting married outdoors. Perfect!! Joanne picked out the rest, but with Joel's approval of course.
With material picked and with Joanne's new obsession of crafting, our save the dates will be handcrafted. The only thing we are waiting for is for our photos to be taken. Our goal is to get them out next week.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Love at first site.
This is the story of how we started dating...
Joanne was in her pre-blossoming (frizzy hair, thick bangs, and thick framed glasses) stage in her early teenage years when she spotted Joel sitting in the balcony across from her one evening at church. The pastor had introduced his family as new members and she was very interested in their tall lanky teenage son. Joanne told her friend, who was sitting next to her that day in church, that the boy who just stood with the family would be her future husband. Joanne was dreaming, or so she thought...
On February 23, 2000, church ended and as always, Joel and Joanne stood talking to each other in the foyer's balcony. The conversation led to Joel finally telling Joanne “You know you’re my girlfriend, right?” Yes, Joel never officially asked, but TOLD Joanne that they were a couple.
...and the rest is history.
Joanne was in her pre-blossoming (frizzy hair, thick bangs, and thick framed glasses) stage in her early teenage years when she spotted Joel sitting in the balcony across from her one evening at church. The pastor had introduced his family as new members and she was very interested in their tall lanky teenage son. Joanne told her friend, who was sitting next to her that day in church, that the boy who just stood with the family would be her future husband. Joanne was dreaming, or so she thought...
The Coons enrolled their sons (Joel, Josh, and Jorel) to start attending the church's private school, where Joanne was attending. In high school, they started to write notes to each other and soon hung out on their lunch breaks together. Best friends they became. They did everything together and were soon inseparable.
On February 23, 2000, church ended and as always, Joel and Joanne stood talking to each other in the foyer's balcony. The conversation led to Joel finally telling Joanne “You know you’re my girlfriend, right?” Yes, Joel never officially asked, but TOLD Joanne that they were a couple.
...and the rest is history.
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