1. Real Weddings

Alyssa & Vic: An Outdoor Wedding in Mt. Helix, CA

In their own backyard, Alyssa and Vic’s wedding was one part sophistication and two parts warm and cozy. Romantic candlelight and white twinkling ligh

In their own backyard, Alyssa and Vic’s wedding was one part sophistication and two parts warm and cozy. Romantic candlelight and white twinkling lights set the pink, brown, and orange color palette aglow, as guests celebrated well into the night. The Bride Alyssa Davidson, 33, flight attendant and biostatistics graduate student The Groom Victor Krauss, 39, chiropractor The Date April 3 While recovering from root canal earlier that day, Alyssa was resting on the couch when Vic walked in and asked her to help with some new stereo equipment he had just purchased (it also was his birthday that day). As she reluctantly carried in one of the boxes, Vic asked Alyssa to help him open it. When she did, an adorable Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier jumped out. But that wasn’t her only surprise: On the puppy’s collar was a gorgeous engagement ring, and once Vic got down on one knee, Alyssa gave him the best birthday present ever – she said yes!

Alyssa and Vic shared their first dance to In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel.
Tables were draped with brown and fuchsia tablecloths and set with white square plates topped with square menu cards. Some tables had large vases filled with cut oranges from the couple’s garden, with the bridesmaid bouquets sitting on top. Others had large, tall cherry blossom branches.
Alyssa’s bouquet was composed of light pink peonies – the bride’s favorite flower -- and roses. Also inserted into her bouquet were fabric flowers made by Alyssa’s grandmother before she passed away.
Alyssa and Vic bought bottles of wine, removed the manufacturer labels, and then added their own printed label with the wedding date and “Vic and Alyssa: The Beginning of Forever.”
The ceremony took place atop an elevated platform in Alyssa and Vic’s backyard. “Our backyard is very magical with almost every square inch being filled with some beautiful plant or tree,” says Alyssa. Guests were treated to a spectacular natural backdrop as the couple was married under a traditional huppah made from birch branches, covered by Vic’s late father’s tallis.
The Programs
Vic built two tiers in the sloped backyard for the tables to sit upon. He also planted flowers along the perimeter of each tier and then strung light globes radiating outward like wheel spokes from a large centralized palm tree. This gave the illusion of a tent. Next to the wooden deck/dance floor, cocktails and coffee were served under a white wooden trellis from which hung white, light pink, and fuchsia Chinese lanterns of all sizes.
Vic and Alyssa’s three-tier cake featured their favorite flavors -- raspberry cheesecake and hazelnut, respectively. The confection was decorated with fresh pink peonies and pink frosting flowers.
Alyssa’s five bridesmaids and one matron of honor chose from strapless pink-plaid taffeta tea-length dresses or tea-length pink-plaid taffeta skirts with pink tops designed by Jim Hjelm.