Veronica and Kyle met when the Brazilian bride was visiting San Diego for the summer. Fast forward six years and the couple is still going strong—and married! They celebrated their nuptials in casual elegance at Ponte Winery surrounded by amazing white florals and greenery by Isari Flower Studio. The couple even made their own (amazing) reclaimed wood photobooth backdrop a mere three weeks before the wedding. If their craftmanship is any indication of their capabilities as a team, Veronica and Kyle are the perfect match and we know your going to love the Kristine Marie Photography‘s gorgeous images of the duo on their big day!
What made the wedding special and unique?
The bride (me) being from Brazil and having my whole family and best friends coming from far away to be part of our day was already beyond special! To surprise all of the guests including my husband (with Brazilian dancers) performing and bringing everyone together on the dance floor was definitely a unique moment. A little taste of what a true Brazilian wedding feels like.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
I’ve always been obsessed with clothes, shoes, and jewelry like most of the girls out there. But believe it or not during the whole wedding process that didn’t seem to be the focus for me. Maybe that worked on my favor to find “the dress”. Working in the interior design industry I was more focused on making sure the decor was on point and that everyone was going to have a good time. All I wanted was something that was going to be comfortable and also elegant.
I found my wedding gown at Mia Bella Couture in Del Mar. They carry most of the best bridal designers with plenty of options to fit any budget. My gown was by “Marisa” and it was fully customized; yes I redesigned the entire dress! I guess being creative is a blessing and a curse! But it was worth it! The dress turned out beautiful and also photographed amazing!
As a Brazilian, weddings mean no sitting down; it is “dance dance dance” all night long so I still wanted to make sure I was going to wear something comfortable for the dance party. That’s when I decided to look for a reception dress that would still have the “bridal” feel but with less layers. My second dress was a beautiful Grace & Hart gown that was shipped straight from Australia. Even though this wasn’t the main dress, I received so many compliments on it.
What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?
A few weeks prior to the wedding Kyle and I decided to build our own photobooth backdrop. I know it sounds crazy when you are only 3 weeks away from your wedding and you barely have time to sleep but it was worth it! We were posting on social media the whole process and our friends would call us crazy, asking what we were up to that we weren’t doing “wedding stuff”. We didn’t tell anyone what it was or what it was for, and didn’t post any photos it once we finished.
On the big day everyone was so surprised to see that the big herringbone wall was what we had been working on. We had Polaroids going around throughout the night, and that also added a special touch to the night.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
Every single minute is still running through my mind like a movie! Every moment, every detail was memorable, including the ceremony when I spotted Kyle. I also had Mom and Dad walk me down the aisle. But I don’t want to sound cheesy so I would say when the DJ announced the big surprise of the night and all the Brazilian dancers walked into the room with Brazilian samba and beat playing in the background! The look on Kyle’s and everyone’s faces was priceless! It was an amazing time and everyone loved it!
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
We met by chance, in a little hippie cafe in Encinitas, CA. I was visiting one of my friends in San Diego, before returning back home to Brazil. This is where we first met. We spoke for a while over coffee. After the initial conversation, we parted ways, without exchanging numbers.
It could have been a lost opportunity at love. Luckily, we ran into each again around town during the summer. It must have been a sign. Finally, Kyle mustered the nerve to ask me for my phone number.
The two of us spoke on the phone several times before our first date. I was reluctant to start a relationship with someone, knowing that I was only in San Diego for the summer. Kyle was so fun and kind that I decided to give him a chance–and I’m so glad I did.
Our first date was amazing. We enjoyed a romantic dinner and a bottle of wine. We watched the sunset, and talked all night long. Before our first date had even ended, the two of us were already making plans for our second date. We spent all summer together getting to know each other. It was a summer romance that weathered all four seasons for about six years and counting.
Kyle proposed in January 2015 at his family’s cabin in Mammoth. We were surrounded by his family and my mom which made that moment even more special.
Photographer: Kristine Marie Photography // Wedding Coordinator: CBS Lifestylist // Florist: Isari Flower Studio, Tam Ashworth // Invitations: Oak and Orchid // Venue: Ponte Winery // Calligraphy: Studio Von Berg // Officiant: Brooks Dierker // Photo Booth: Flickwell // DJ & Lighting: DJ Rey Peña // Videographer: Black Shutter Media // Rentals: (lounge furniture, escort card display & dessert bar) Found Vintage Rentals // Ponte Rentals: (sweetheart table, chairs, linens & napkins) // Cake & Desserts: Michele Coulon Dessertier // Gelato: Bottega Italiana // Hair: Salon for Women // Makeup: Makeup by Kandice