1. Real Weddings

A Black and White Classic Wedding at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California

Dianna Richardson (32 and in sales and marketing) and Mike Harpin (32 and in graphic design) were introduced through mutual friends at the Pechanga Re

Dianna Richardson (32 and in sales and marketing) and Mike Harpin (32 and in graphic design) were introduced through mutual friends at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California. Dianna and Mike talked and laughed the entire time they were together, ending the night with a romantic kiss. Dianna eventually moved to the mid-west to be with Mike, who soon after was ready to propose to the love of his life. Mike planned a weekend trip to California to visit their families for Mother’s Day, but planned a surprise proposal for that Saturday on the beach. The couple was walking on the beach and sat down at a secluded spot near the waterfront. Mike asked Dianna to close her eyes for a second, so she did, and when they opened Mike was down on one knee with a custom-made ring that resembled her grandmother’s. The couple had their classic outdoor wedding ceremony at Pechanga Resort & Casino, California. They used their color palette of black and white accented with red to design their wedding attire, flower arrangements and all the stationary for the occasion. The couple’s favorite detail on their wedding day was a black river rock that was placed on each wedding program positioned on folding chairs. At the cocktail hour, guests were invited to write personal messages to the newly wedded couple on the rocks. “We keep them in glass containers throughout the house and they are a constant reminder of the amazing people we have around us,” says Mike.

Getting Ready, Ivory Birdcage Veil
Dianna wore a pair of bright red heels purchased from Aldo Shoes. “We stumbled upon her six inch red heels while walking the mall,” says Mike. “She took one look and said, “Those are my shoes.” So red was in.”
Ivory Gerbera Daisy Bridal Bouquet
“Dianna chose Gerbera Daisies as her flower of choice,” says Mike. “Her bouquet was styled with white daisies and the bridesmaids with red, all wrapped in black with small pearls.”
Fabric Flower Boutonniere and Tie
Black and White Checkered Shoes
“Looking back, our favorite thing that we did, was the stones,” says Mike. “During the ceremony, on each chair, the wedding program was held in place by a black river rock about the size of your palm. After the ceremony, during the cocktail hour, we provided white sharpies and guests were able to write their best wishes, marriage advice or just an inside joke.” After the wedding, the couple kept the rocks in glass, reminding them of their loving friends and family.
“Dianna's mother is an accomplished seamstress and ended up making not only Dianna’s dress, but the bridesmaid's and the flower girl's dresses as well,” says Mike. “Dianna's gown was classically styled, smooth with no beading. It had an open back and a long train. She finished it off with a black statement necklace, a birdcage veil and a pair of six-inch red heels.”
“The wedding was held at the Journey Golf Resort at Pechanga in Temecula, California,” says Mike. “The ceremony was outdoors with the main seating on grass, and Dianna and I were raised on a wood deck with a massive oak tree behind us. It was slightly rustic with a classic twist.”
rn“The Bridesmaids were in black knee-height dresses, with a red statement necklace and black six-inch heels,” says Mike. “I was in a blacked out three-piece suit, with a thin, black and white pindot tie. I finished it off with a custom pindot fabric flower lapel pin, white tie clip, white pocket square and red and black pindot socks. My groomsmen were in the same set up, but in a two-piece with red custom fabric flower lapel pins, red tie clips, red pocket squares and the same socks.” rn
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
Intimate Moment on Wood Trail
Couple Kissing on Rustic Bridge
“I, being a graphic designer, have control issues when it comes to all things visual,” says Mike. “So our invitations, stationary and seating charts had a black and white theme. The graphics were clean and elegant, and even included stylized gerbera daisies in the borders.”
Black tablecloths dressed the dining tables at the reception, with red napkins and white dinnerware organized on top. The black and white framed table number was in front of the baby's breath centerpiece.
“We opted for cupcakes instead of a huge cake, and we’re gluten free so it was a hunt to find the right place for the right price,” says Mike. “I had enough cupcakes made to design a letter “H” in white cupcakes with black cupcakes surrounding it. The downside was that everyone loved the plated dessert, so they hardly touched the cupcakes. So, we ate a lot of cupcakes after the wedding.”
“I’d say that all the elements of the wedding reflected us as a couple,” says Mike. “We’re not flashy but we are classy, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Our motto was “In Love and Laughter.””