Steps leading up to the Main House On this day, the Hidden Valley was an oasis of casual cool and comfortable clouds. Over the course of these past few months, the Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa has seen some major upgrades. An outdoor stage, made of solely organic materials, was built and erected. Land was leveled, terraces were seeded and watered, and a green aisle leading from a dirt road up to the altar was laid. All in preparation of this day's festivities.
Our participating vendors, including Hair and Makeup Artistry by Melanie, Always and Forever Carriage Company, STS Invitations, So Belle, Music As You Like It, and Reverend Pat Borsum, all rolled in early to set up their booths within the Event Center gallery. The wedding contestants and Bridal Fair guests were next to follow.
Ariana and Matt
The small assembled crowd was the perfect size for really diving into the events of the day. In the Event Center Forum, Party Hats Entertainment had set up a decorating station while Elliot Lawrence serenaded us all with his lovely acoustic, cocktail jazz. At one point, the gallery was empty and the forum was full, - of vendors, contestants, and guests alike, all clamoring to create an award-winning hat and bowtie ensemble.
Carolyn and Mike
An hour later, wedding contestants were cajoled into parading around the Event Center gallery while showing off their Party Hat creations. Although Nathaniel really knew how to strike a pose, and Carolyn and Mike two-stepped around the wood floor, it was Zeolah and Alex who won the 10-person Party in a Hat Box gift for their silly stroll, which included Zeolah talking on her cell phone and Alex dipping Zoi in a final pose. Tonya with Indulge Catering pulled up just in the nick of time, and we all headed down to the outdoor stage and ceremony site next.
The Grooms
There, the brides were corralled and the grooms were posted to their positions of waiting at the altar. The brides were spun around in tight, little circles for ten seconds and then they were off! They made a mad dash for the altar. Along the way, they stopped at different stations (where they had to put on: gloves; a large, white crinolin skirt; a garter; and chocolate flavored lipgloss). Then, they rushed up to their respective grooms and laid a kiss on his lips. The first bride and groom to be photographed won this "Rush to the Altar" race. Yet again, Zeolah and Alex took home the prize, - an engagement photo shoot with Kellerman photography.
Zeolah rushes to the altar
Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for was upon us. With so many wonderful couples to choose from, including Ariana and Matt, Jennifer and Jason, Micheli and Richard, Marie and Eric, Rosella and Rudy, Chelsea and Nathaniel, and Zeolah and Alex, we were certainly hard-pressed to choose only one couple to win our "Who Wants to Win a Wedding?" contest.
In the end, we chose Marie and Eric of Billings, Montana, to receive our
September 12th, 2009 dream wedding. Eric's story of persistence in the face of loss inspired us. And, we hoped that his and Marie's non-local residence would provide opportunities for our participating vendors. We are really looking forward to hosting their wedding nuptials at our hillside paradise.
Chelsea and Nathaniel
We also chose Chelsea and Nathaniel, a local Valley Center couple, as our runners-up. They received a 50% Gift Certificate to be applied to their wedding weekend at the Hidden Valley. For their participation and willingness to entertain, all of our attending wedding contestants received a $1,000.00 gift certificate to be applied towards their wedding weekend at the Hidden Valley.
Rosella and Rudy
Jenny and Jason
Micheli and Richard
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