Estate on Second Wedding | Kayla and Dan

DETAILS

April, 26th, 2019
The Estate on Second
Santa Ana, California
Wedding

Kayla and Dan celebrated with family and friends at the Estate on Second in Santa Ana, California this past April and we were thrilled to capture this joyful day. This is one you won’t want to miss –– let me just say, there’s an adorable dog involved (any wedding with a dog is a great wedding in our book!).

12:00:01 AM. January 1, 2016. How many of us can say our first kiss came with a countdown?! For Kayla and Dan, three years of friendship led them to 3...2...1...Happy New Year and Happy Last First Kiss! 

Fantasy Football and a Giant Blue Whale

Kayla and Dan first met on St. Patrick’s Day 2013 (these two have a thing for holidays, right!?) and ended up in a Fantasy Football league together. Over fantasy drafts and mid-season trades, these two formed a friendship. Football friends evolved into Comic-con buddies, which, on that fateful New Year’s turned into so much more. 

A few weeks after they made it official, Kayla headed to New York for a work conference. As she told Dan about her plans for the trip, he divulged a deep, dark secret –– he’s terrified of items suspended from ceilings, including the famed 94-foot long blue whale that proudly hangs at the American Museum of Natural History. Never one to miss a chance for a bit of flirtatious mocking, Kayla knew what she had to do. She worked the museum into her itinerary, took a few photos directly under the whale, and bought him back a pin adorned with the massive sea mammal. 

It became a running joke between the two and, two years later, Kayla and Dan headed to NYC for a few days of shows and checking off touristy must-dos –– including a visit to the AMNH. They strolled through the museum with the 600-ton leviathan looming. As they came up on the whale, Kayla ran out and plopped right down on the floor underneath –– taunting Dan with her bravery. But, much to her surprise, he took a deep breath, walked out to meet her, and, trembling, got down on one knee. He pulled out a ring box with a photo of a whale mid-breech and the caption, “Whale hello there, Mrs. Stonebraker.” (Could Dan be any more clever?! Proposers, take note. Also, she said YES.) 

An April Wedding at the Estate on Second

Now, these two may be jokesters at heart, but this wedding was as stunning as it was fun. From the luxurious jewel tones that adorned their wedding colors (inspired by the blue whale? I like to think so!) to the delicate and oh-so-sparkly headpiece in Kayla’s hair to the overflowing candles and flowers that flanked the I Dos, this wedding day was all about the details. Seriously, if you’re looking for a planner to create a magical celebration, look to theirs––Confetti Skies––and the incredible florist––Serenade of Flowers. 

But, don’t think this wedding was all about magazine-worthy vignettes! Kayla and Dan made sure to infuse their personalities into their big day. From movie-themed centerpieces to Funko pop cake toppers to Jell-O shots for the bride and groom and (multiple) Britney Spears songs on the dance floor, these two created a day that was all about their love story and their loved ones.

And, if they could offer one piece of advice to couples planning a wedding: get a group photo of the entire wedding! Yes, every guest. Get them ALL on the dance floor for a memory you’ll treasure forever.