Lucky for us, actual brides from TLC‘s Four Weddings are sharing their stories with us in this new series! Up today? Nadine Bubeck who made sure not to lose sight of what a wedding day is really about.
I admit… I’m crazy organized so wedding planning came quite naturally to me. The night Nate proposed, we chose a date that gave me an eight-month engagement to get things picture perfect.
Planning the wedding
Growing up in California, I always dreamt of getting married near the water, so it was a delight when we found McCormick Ranch Golf Club in the heart of the Desert Southwest.
The plan was to have our ceremony outside, utilizing the natural backdrop as décor. The reception hall was a huge window-enclosed gazebo with high ceilings. We wanted twinkling Christmas lights around the room, in addition to ceiling bling and white hanging lanterns. The goal was simple, classy and elegant.
We went with magnet save-the-dates, designed online by yours truly.
My wedding dress
I always wanted a backless wedding dress, and I somehow got my wish. Lucky for me, a bridal boutique was going out of business, so their all-silk runway dresses were on total discount. I bought a dress off the rack but it needed a lot of TLC (no pun intended).
I brought it to my fabulous Scottsdale alterations lady who transformed my gown into something totally me. She added a crystal sash, emphasized the heart-shaped front, and formed the perfect backless drape.
I found my designer shoes on discount at Marshalls. (Score!)
The cake
Oh my gosh, the cake was a piece of art. I’m a picture person, so our talented cake designers made a flavorful concoction flaunting black and white photos of me and Nate.
I made our personalized programs, guest book, name cards, menus, and other personal touches along the way.
For a kicker, our reception was interrupted by a BOOM — yep, following the cake cutting, our guests enjoyed a fireworks spectacular.
The ceremony
To this day, Nate and I say the best part of our wedding was the wedding itself — the seriousness and beauty of our ceremony. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by our friends and family.
- Our bridal party walked to a lovely instrumental version of The Beatles’ “All My Life.”
- I then walked the first portion of the aisle with my mom, strolling to her rendition of Harry Belafonte’s “Turn Around.”
- My dad and I completed the aisle to The Beatles’ “In My Life.”
- We kissed to The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.”
- We danced our first dance to Rod Stewart’s “Long Ago and Far Away.”
- Instead of a traditional speech, my dad sang Frank Sinatra’s “That’s All” a capella.
Cocktail hour and reception
We had a Greek Orthodox ceremony and after, we sipped on a traditional Greek drink called Ouzo. Our dance floor was jam-packed the entire night.
We spent the night at the hotel he proposed. Nate carried me into our room, just like you see in the movies.
Any advice?
Remember what your wedding is all about: a marriage. Don’t let anything or anyone come in the way of what you want and how you envision things. Even on a budget, you can make anything beautiful. Get creative, get personal, and have fun.
Watch more on real weddings from Four Weddings:
Photos courtesy of Tracy Kreck, Photographic Passion
More from real Brides
My big fabulous Greek wedding
Bridal talk: My under the stars wedding
Tips from a Garden Wedding
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