Wedding date: June 21, 2016

Venue: Wind and Sea Estate – Big Sur, California
Caterer: Field To Table Events
Florist: Willow and Plum
Hair and makeup: Rhyan Townsend
Dress Designer: Katie May
Wedding bands: Praxis Jewelry
Music: Mark Banks
Photographer: Steve Stanton Photography
Videographer: Aflatis Films

Acupuncture is not for everyone. But for Julia and Mat it’s just what they needed.

Julia, an acupuncturist, was working at the office where Mat was receiving treatment from one of Julia’s colleagues. Julia and Mat saw each other occasionally, as they passed one another in the hallways or as Julia saw Mat waiting in the waiting room. Julia was instantly drawn to Mat and wanted to talk to him immediately. Mat must have felt something for Julia, too, since he picked up her business card and booked his next appointment with Julia. Mat’s first appointment with Julia led to pressure relief and him asking her out on a date.

After three years of dating, Julia and Mat found themselves hiking the mountains of Zermatt, Switzerland. Mat, your everyday mountain man, grew up with a huge mural of the Matterhorn – a representation of adventure and exploration – on his wall as a kid. He was in Switzerland a previous time but never actually saw the Matterhorn because it was so foggy. On Julia and Mat’s trip the sun was out and shining bright…and the Matterhorn was clear. Mat asked for Julia’s hand in marriage overlooking the Matterhorn, a symbol of starting their adventure together, and Julia said yes!

Julia and Mat exchanged vows in-front of 20 close family memebers and friends overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The intimate ceremony included Julia and Mat taking the time to interact with each guest and telling the guest why he or she meant so much to them as a couple. The family style reception allowed for the celebration to feel like a big dinner party with candles, signing, good wine, and homemade cider and beer. Julia’s dad had purchased a case of wine in 1983, the year that Julia was born, and shared it at her wedding as part of the celebration.

Some of the special moments of the day involved Julia’s first look with her dad and asking her parents to walk her down the aisle with a personal note. Julia was on the receiving end of a personal note, with Mat’s note inside her dress…her “heart exploded.” Another incredible moment Julia and Mat shared was when they were taking pictures and whales in the ocean became their backdrop.

Julia and Matt were gifted with a night away after the wedding to Post Ranch Inn, from her sisters and brother-in-law. They also spent a few nights in the Sequoias. In March 2017, Julia and Mat will take a destination honeymoon to New Zealand.

Shannyn: How was it working with Adam?

Julia: We were introduced to Adam by our photographer Steve. We are SO glad we decided to have a videographer! A video captures the day in real-time, and is an amazing addition to having fantastic wedding pictures. Adam made sure to get to know us as a couple, and went above and beyond to get great shots without disturbing the natural flow of the day. He is so nice and personable, we felt like we made a friend by the end of the day. We loved him!