It was a beautiful spring morning in April 2017. We headed north to a private ranch, a home that was originally designed for a wedding in the family, surrounded by lush vineyards of Italian Cypress and Autumn Gold grapes besides olive trees and white tree roses. Although some can’t believe this hidden gem lies on the outskirts of Bakersfield hidden from the country highway, this was the perfect place to begin Ben and Tasha’s wedding day!
Ben and Tasha are a couple seriously in love. We’ve known that from the day we Skyped from California to Virginia – yes, they planned their wedding all from out-of-state! Between emails and our pre-wedding meeting in-person, we weren’t surprised one bit to have an emotion-filled, lovey-dovey wedding day between these two. Ben is in the military and despite not having much time together, these two worked hard to plan a gorgeous wedding for their friends and family to attend – and we might add were very successful in doing so!
Tasha chose Daniella Ozuna and Ilashdolls Makeup to help her and her ladies get ready on her wedding day. Hair and makeup looked perfectly bridal for the occasion, and the morning passed quickly with so much to do! Aileen and her team from Blu Events Planning & Design prepared behind the scenes, styling the decor along with Carlos from Make It Happen, and finalizing the last-minute details. Sasha and her newlywed husband, Vic, from Sasha Saldana Photography captured the sweetest photos of precious moments and cute details, like the hand-embroidered men’s neck ties! You can see a great shot of Vic helping Tasha’s father put his tie on just after the Father-Daughter First Look – oh, so sweet.
Ben, meanwhile, was hiding elsewhere on the property with his guys. Getting dressed and realizing that today was the day he would gain a wife, he was all smiles and completely ready. Ben and Tasha exchanged love letters in their last moments before leaving for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church to be wed by Father Perry, forever to become husband and wife.
Then came the ceremony. When asked who would cry on the wedding day, Tasha said she thought Ben would cry and Ben said he thought he would not. Well, turns out Ben choked up a little and Tasha held back the tears very well, but we loved it because it showed that there was true love between these two, and an understanding that they would love each other deeply for the rest of their lives. But OH the smiles as she grabbed her peony bouquet and the two headed back down the aisle, now Mr. and Mrs. – let the celebrating begin!
With him in his Men’s Wearhouse suit and her in a romantic Eddy K. Italia wedding gown from BHLDN, Ben and Tasha made a grand entrance to the reception and danced their first dance together as husband and wife, with family and friends tearing up and cheering on. Tasha picked an elegantly happy color palette for Matinae Design Studio’s invitation suite and Nanette from Custom Creations joined in the stationery fun too, helping guests with directions to the wedding and to their seats. But in case you didn’t know, rose-gold is a Tasha favorite, from her wedding colors to her iPhone case! The reception back at at the ranch was set up and ready to go, and between a savory meal from NV Catering and a super cute cake from Cakes by Karen, United DJs led the way to dancing and everyone enjoyed the evening. Thank you Empire Security Services for keeping a safe night for all and thank you Walker-Lewis Rents for being part of the rentals team as well. The night was planned with dinner, cake-cutting, a newlywed “How Well Do You Know Each Other” game, dances, and then came the toasts.
And oh we always love the toasts. When family and friends stand up beside the bride and groom on their wedding day we love to capture these stories. We piece together glimpses of who Ben and Tasha really are and slowly a sweet theme is woven together to reveal two lovebirds that will never be the same without each other. It was from these stories that we learned that Ben told Tasha (back when they were just best friends, not engaged) that when two people get married they should be best friends. “And here they are. They married each other and they’re still best friends.” Yes, we love it. Husbands and wives really should be best friends! And as Tasha put it, “I love you, always and all the time” or as we say, “forevermore.” From brothers to cousins to friends, everyone had something kind and sweet to say. And everyone was so grateful for Ben and Tasha and the couple they had become. Even Tasha’s dad agreed that Ben was the perfect guy for her and you can tell from their hugs that he didn’t take that lightly. As he said in his speech, “I thank you for that” since marriage is not just about two people but the whole family too!
A wedding is a big affair. It can be intense, stressful, and complicated. But it is also rewarding, memorable, and emotional. Tasha, for a bride who had never even attended a wedding, you made a beautiful bride and pulled together an amazing day for you and Ben to remember forever! Engaged on August 31st, 2015 and married on April 29th, 2017, we wish Ben and Tasha a lifetime of happiness, being Best Friends forever!
(For best viewing results watch full screen)
CREDITS
CAST
Starring Actor: Ben
Starring Actress: Tasha
CREW
Wedding Filmmaker: Evermoore Films
Cinematographers: Joshua Moore & Ricardo Santoyo
Wedding Planner: Blu Events Planning & Design
Decor Designer: Blu Events Planning & Design & Make It Happen Events
Photographer: Sasha Saldana Photography
DJ: United DJs
Officiant: Father Perry
Security: Empire Event Services
WARDROBE DEPARTMENT
Hair Stylist: Daniella Ozuna
Makeup Artist: Ilashdolls Makeup
Dress Brand: Eddy K Italia
Dress Shop: BHLDN
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Alterations: Fariba Bridal Alterations & Design
Ring Shop: Tiffany & Co.
ART DEPARTMENT
Florist: Make It Happen Events
Rentals: Make It Happen Events, Walker-Lewis Rents, Herc Rentals, & Custom Creations
Lighting: United DJs
Linens: Make It Happen Events
Stationary: Matinae Design Studio, & Custom Creations
Invitations: Matinae Design Studio
CRAFT SERVICES
Catering: NV Catering
Bakery: Cakes by Karen
SET LOCATIONS
Ceremony Venue: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Private Residence
Location: Bakersfield, California
SOUNDTRACK
“Northern Lights” by The Frozen Ocean courtesy of Soundstripe
“Sunrise” by Adrian Walther courtesy of Soundstripe
Here are a few stills from the video above:
Evermoore Films is a video production company based in Bakersfield, California, providing corporate promotional videos and cinematic wedding films to Kern County and beyond.