From the first phone call with Franny, I knew this was a couple we had to meet and whose love story we had to celebrate. This lovely bride had a kind heart that immediately won me over. We were excited to document their love story.
how they met
franny | There’s a class at Rock Harbor called Alpha, a Christianity 101.
matthew | I had a big big biker jacket and helmet. I saw Franny but she didn’t notice me. She was serving me food at Alpha. How can you resist a pretty girl serving good food?
the romantic proposal
franny | I didn’t think of anything. But when we pulled up [to Newport] and I saw the gondolas, I immediately knew he was going to propose.
matthew | I had a friend of mine, named Steve. He had been working at this gondola company for years. I knew it was finally time to call up Steve: “Steve, I need you to hook me up!” He said, “I’ll do it!” so he got me this sweet gondola deal. It came with chocolates and blankets. We got to go on the gondola in Newport right around Balboa right before sunset.
franny | And he brought really good champagne!
matthew | A nice almond champagne. The other boats were passing by and watching, especially the females in the boat! They’d say, “Honey, stop it. I think there’s something going on!” It was hilarious but I was like, “Oh my gosh, I hope they don’t ruin it.” They didn’t though. They were nice and quiet. Then, I got down on two knees.
franny | Yeah, both knees
matthew | To propose
franny | The funny thing when he was proposing was I couldn’t hear anything he was saying. I was just really caught up in the moment. After he gave me the ring, I said, “Can you just repeat what you said?”
matthew | She asked me to repeat the whole thing! So I gave her the cliff notes version
franny | He did good though. He didn’t write up a script. It was really sweet and very romantic. I didn’t know you could be so romantic!
matthew | Thanks, babe.
why forever?
Matthew and Franny’s story really touched us. We invited them to be a part of a new series that we are excited and passionate about: For the people like us who were uncertain or scared about marriage, who want to know if this can be possible and how to know when you’ve found the one…
An interview of this inspiring couple who answer: Why them? Why forever?
Honest, inspiring answers to why Matthew and Franny chose each other and decided to commit to forever.
location
It was a beautifully intimate wedding of a rugged smalltown boy and a genteel city girl. Held in the lush and lovely backyard in the home of Matthew’s sweet grandmother.
the wedding
LOVED this twist! Matthew and Franny used the time for toasts to give tender thank you toasts to their parents and Matthew’s precious grandmother. It was so moving and beautiful for them to honor their families.
slideshow
More of their beautiful wedding in the slideshow below. View the slideshow website here.
vendors
- make-up | Jamie Michele
- hair | Hair Art in Irvine
- florist | Vicky Vanderhoof
- entertainment | Agnes Chu
- bakery | Susie Cakes
- caterer | Daphne’s Greek Cafe
congratulations
Matthew and Franny, we feel so very blessed to have met and been a part of your love story. You two are a beautiful couple, inspiring and just a blessing to be around. We pray a blessed and wonderful marriage for you both! We’re so excited for the next chapters in your lives. CONGRATULATIONS!
Share your congratulations to the beautiful couple with a comment below!
Love the photos and the all details you captured of their beautiful backyard wedding!!! Can’t wait to blog about them:)
Thanks, Jamie! You were awesome. Loved your work with Franny. She was beautiful!