In the midst of a stunning real wedding, it’s easy to overlook the groom’s unique touch While many grooms may not be as invested in flowers and decor, they often bring their own special flair to the celebration through catering, music, or other creative expressions For Dominique & Hunter, their love story is woven into every detail of their special day.
If you’re aiming for a harmonious partnership built on shared values, passions, and a dash of humor, take cues from this charming couple and prepare for an unforgettable happily ever after Their King Family Vineyards wedding, captured by Stephanie Yonce Photography, blended rustic charm with elegance, featuring delectable ribs, fine bourbon, and lively baseball-themed elements alongside delicate lace, sparkling sequins, and an abundance of sweet treats.
This unforgettable BBQ bash has all the makings of a truly unforgettable celebration Read on to learn more about this delightful union, and join us at the end for a s’mores-filled send-off under the stars.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Love Story
Ryan, a mutual friend of ours, introduced Hunter to Dominique through their co-ed dodgeball team in NYC This team camaraderie laid the groundwork for our relationship, but it wasn’t just one dramatic moment that brought us together In reality, our shared passions for music and sports, as well as Hunter’s Costco membership, which granted me access to those delectable Chicken Bakes, played a significant role.
Our team remained close-knit, engaging in various recreational activities like dodgeball, kickball, and volleyball over the years.
The Dresses
As I ventured through five or six bridal salons, each dress left me feeling tantalizingly close to the one, but unable to commit I’d been told that the right dress would spark an undeniable sense of recognition, yet my instincts remained uncertain With each visit, I felt myself inching closer to discovering the perfect fit, though doubts persisted about settling for something lovely rather than truly special.
Then, at Global Bridal Gallery, I slipped into Allure Bridal’s exquisite dress and knew instinctively that this was the one – it radiated a sense of confidence and joy, mirrored by the tears of happiness in my mother’s eyes and my MOH’s beaming smile The experience was nothing short of magical
My partner, Hunter, had his own epiphany while searching for his wedding attire.
After trying on a few suits, he stumbled upon a stunning Ralph Lauren suit at Macy’s – a serendipitous find that surprised even himself As someone who’d never worn a suit for work due to his startup lifestyle, this discovery was a welcome change
When it came to my bridesmaids’ attire, I opted for Badgley Mischka dresses from Rent the Runway.
Having attended numerous friends’ weddings and accumulated a collection of unworn bridesmaid gowns, I appreciated Rent the Runway’s innovative approach to providing high-end designer dresses at an affordable price
Hunter’s groomsmen also tapped into The Black Tux for their suits, while their ties came from Tie Bar – a thoughtful touch that added to the overall harmony of our special day.
Advice for Other Couples
Google’s all-in-one wedding planner spreadsheet proved to be an invaluable tool, allowing us to effectively manage our budget and stay on schedule The team at BBQ Exchange, led by the talented Jacqueline Conlogue, played a crucial role in vendor selection, offering personalized recommendations and innovative solutions to help us save costs Additionally, Borrowed and Blue was instrumental in connecting us with top-notch vendors.
Interestingly, I discovered that booking hair and makeup services required significant advance planning – I began calling around five months prior to the wedding and found that many of the recommended professionals were already committed by then.
The Refreshments
We were thrilled to incorporate BBQ into our wedding celebration The idea of indulging in ribs while wearing my wedding dress was an exhilarating prospect To satisfy our guests’ cravings, we offered passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, a BBQ buffet for dinner, and served up fried chicken and waffles as a late-night snack to keep the energy high.
Our specialty cocktails, Gentleman’s Press (a refreshing blend of bourbon and ginger beer) and John Daly (sweet tea vodka mixed with lemonade), were huge hits throughout the evening But the pièce de résistance was our impressive dessert spread, featuring not one, not two, but four decadent cakes, accompanied by a copious supply of bite-sized mini cupcakes for all to enjoy.
The Music
The memories of our special dances are still etched in my mind Our first dance song was the iconic ‘Te Busco’ by Celia Cruz, which set the tone for a lifetime of love and celebration I had the privilege of dancing with my dad to Louis Armstrong’s heartwarming tune, ‘What a Beautiful World’, while Hunter shared a tender moment with his mom to Sam Cooke’s soulful classic, ‘Nothing Can Change This Love’.
Favourite Memories
Our wedding celebration was truly unforgettable, thanks to the love and joy shared with us by our family and friends To make it even more meaningful, we opted for an unconventional guest book – a custom-printed fingerprint art piece from Etsy This unique keepsake now hangs proudly on our wall, serving as a daily reminder of the fantastic time we had together on our special day The highlight of the evening was, without a doubt, watching our loved ones let loose and have a blast on the dance floor.
And let’s not forget the bourbon bar by the fire pit – it was the perfect combination for an unforgettable night.
The Honeymoon
We prioritized our honeymoon planning, opting for a three-week trip to New Zealand after waiting out the initial three months following our wedding As adventure-seekers, we knew that an active and adrenaline-fueled getaway would be just what we needed to unwind To ease into married life, we first spent two nights at the Salamander Resort, just an hour from home, allowing us to delay the post-wedding routine and revel in our newlywed bliss.
Having a grander adventure like New Zealand to look forward to was the perfect motivation
We’re thrilled to share that our friends Dominique and Hunter’s BBQ wedding was nothing short of spectacular Who wouldn’t love the image of Dominique indulging in ribs while rocking her wedding dress We’re suckers for s’mores, sparklers, and joyous celebrations.
A huge thank you to Stephanie Yonce Photography for capturing these unforgettable moments, and to Dominique and Hunter for inviting us into their special day
We hope our readers are as inspired by this Real Wedding as we were.
