sara lucero : blog

Hannah & Kyle: Married in the mountains (A Wrightwood Guest Ranch Wedding)

Sara Lucero — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:45:52 +0000

Hannah & Kyle! These two really had to roll with the punches when it came to planning their wedding. Kyle is a military man so his availability wasn’t very predictable; so they had to change things (like their date and venue) around a bit… so the fact that they were able to wed on June 14th was a total celebration! And let me tell you… everything was perfect about their wedding day. Gorgeous day, relaxed schedule, lots of family support, and a dance floor that was never empty.

Hannah & Kyle got married at the Wrightwood Guest Ranch and it was the perfect backdrop 360 degrees around. I loved that they wanted a first look and Hannah stepped it up by giving Kyle a letter to read first and then she stood against his back as he prayed for them. Perfect start to a perfect wedding day.

Sweet little sister peeking in at her sister putting on her wedding dress.
“The Anchorman Jump” haha!
The mamas held jars of sand labeled “His” and “Hers” which was darling.
Very sweet reception details!

I loved the glow stick send off!

Cameron + Dave: A super stylish and relaxed DIY wedding!

Sara Lucero — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:59:26 +0000

Cameron + Dave. Man oh man. They were a perfect match for each other… and a perfect match for us, if I do say so myself. Not a single minute of their wedding felt like work. It was such an honor and joy for us to be a part of their super stylish and relaxed wedding.

C+D were going on 11 years of dating before they tied the knot last Saturday in Scripps College…. where they met. In fact, they got married right in front of her freshman dorm. It was the perfect setting for their incredibly sentimental wedding.
A few favorite sentiments from the day
*They ate breakfast together on their wedding day because breakfast dates are “their thing”
*Cameron wore a jewel on her bracelet that he papa gave her when she was little
*They got married where they met
*Instead of a bridal party they had their siblings stand with them once C+D made their way down the aisle with their mommas
*Cameron made her pom pom bouquet and the pom poms that the flower girls tossed
*Cameron made pin-back buttons that had a variety of pictures like a drawing of them, each of their 3 dogs (including one-eyed Jack, everyones favorite), and their wedding date.
*They grew their own succulents
*Cameron DIY’d all the table runners and chevron bunting
*They had a station featuring all of their families wedding photos
*Cameron is vegan and Dave is vegetarian and they had a 100% vegan wedding… from the quinoa fritters to the maple bacon donuts
*They each mentioned baseball games and Seinfeld episodes in their vows (that they wrote on their own)

They also chose some amazing vendors to make their wedding picture perfect.
Makeup- Amy Clarke
Hair- Hair by Katie B
Coordinator- Mad Love Events
Venue- Scripps College
Food- Jennie Cooks, Twice Baked Vegan, and Clara’s Cakes

Sweet little flower girls.

Cameron + Dave decided to do all of their photos before the ceremony so they could immediately join their friends and family at the cocktail hour and reception. They were greeted with lots of hugs, kisses, smiles, and awwwwws!

Can anyone guess what dance they were doing?

THE ELAINE BENNETT! ……..Told you they love Seinfeld

Backyard picnic BBQ: Welcome home, Cousin!

Sara Lucero — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:18:52 +0000

MY COUSIN IN BACK!!
In November my cousin Kalie and her family moved to Tennessee and it basically broke my heart, and her heart, and everyone’s heart…. AND NOW SHE’S BAAAAAA-AAAAAAAAAAACK!
She reminded me that I need to keep up my party planning streak of hosting a party every 2 months, so she told me to throw her a Welcome Back BBQ.. so I did!
(See previous parties here, here, here and here)

Steve and I have been working a lot on the backyard (me with the ideas and him with all the work, haha) so we decided to make it a picnic style BBQ and everyone bring their own blanket to sit on. Super cozy.
We eventually want to get a dining set out there but we will probably wait for the off season and buy it once it goes on sale. HOLLA!

I was able to snap a few photos of the decor before our friends got there! But man, it’s hard taking photos AND being the hostess. I’ve got to get better at that somehow. Haha. I added a few instagram photos at the back end of the post though too!

The night started with hugs + stories + baby cuddling while the men huddled around the BBQ. I also never seem to photograph the food… too busy eating I guess. Also too worried about spilling on my camera! But we filled our bellies with hot dogs, cheeseburgers, watermelon, chips, and Tim’s homemade mac n’ cheese (which Kalie proudly took home all of the leftovers).
In the last few minutes of sunlight we tried (keyword: TRIED) to fly a kite. The desert is usually pretty windy so I thought it would be a breeze (ohmygosh that was too easy) but it definitely wasn’t! It made for some really good belly laughs though!

Then we plugged in our patio lights and began probably the best round of Charades EVER! I had an entire brown paper bag FULL of movies, tv shows, and characters to act out. It was hilarious! So so so many good moments… like Travis being surprisingly good, poor Marty struggling, major competition between the twins, Steve acting out Bring It On, Kalie holding her sleeping child and acting at the same time, and Ashley acting out Anne Frank within 2.5 seconds! We just kept going around and around and around… I think we all acted like 7-8 times!

What a perfect day!
Welcome home, cousin! I LOVE YOU!
Thanks Janine, Janelle, Travis, Tim, Ashley, and our new member of the group Marty for coming over and celebrating my cuzzo with Steve and I! I miss you all already.

All decor and supplies were purchased at The Dollar Tree, Target, and Etsy!
Ashley has a boyfriend! Welcome to the group, Marty!
Janelle you crack me up, girl!
Brixton faces are the best faces.

and then some instgram’s!

Married: Tamera + Travis and a beautiful Lake Arrowhead Resort Wedding

Sara Lucero — Mon, 27 May 2013 19:55:27 +0000

Lake Arrowhead is the perfect setting for a wedding. Tall trees, a bright sun, and a calming lake that reflects the surroundings. Now add two sweet beautiful people in love with the most perfect smiles ever and you’ve got yourself a great wedding day!
Tamera + Travis had a lot of elements that made their wedding special and my very favorite was that Tamera had her momma’s wedding dress hanging up next to her own wedding dress. Tamera is the only daughter and I really couldn’t think of a sweeter way to honor her momma. After she was dressed we let her dad come in for a “First Look” and then we were all in tears. I just absolutely love the way they love their families!

Her “First Look” with her Papa. And yes, we all cried.
THEY ARE MARRIED!!!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE AND WEDDING DAY!

VENDOR LOVE:
Venue: Lake Arrowhead Resort
Flowers: Posh Peony
DJ: Jay Fitzgerald of The DJ Company
Make Up: Noel Sweeny
Hair: Jennifer Combs-Royas
Wedding Dress: Bellasposa- Maggie Sottro- Adalee
Bridesmaid dresses: Nordstrom - Monique Lhullier
Suits: Mens Warehouse
Officiant: Pastor- Dennis Davenport

Engaged: Jon Jon + Alyssa (a future Davenport)

Sara Lucero — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:53:08 +0000

Jon Jon and Alyssa are CA-HUTE! A cute cute couple that compliment each other so well that they become this unstoppable force of CUTE. Jon Jon is very confident and outgoing and his Alyssa is very sweet, quiet, and bashful. Together they are one of the dearest couples around. We had so much fun exploring the city of Redlands and trying out Cafe Linne. Steve was pretty jealous when I told him we started the shoot at a coffee shop… in fact since Jon Jon and Alyssa are having their wedding at The Mitten Building (which is just a few streets away) I told him I’d treat him to a cup since he had to work.

Isn’t Alyssa the prettiest? Being all bashful and beautiful while I’m yelling behind the camera “DANG GIRRRRRRL YOU LOOK PRETTTTTAY!” I don’t quite have the sweet bashful thing down. Ha!
A future Davenport!!! Justin and Martha Davenport are some of our very best friends and I am just so so excited Alyssa gets to join that wonderful family!

We can’t wait for your November wedding! Your love is so blessed and we are excited to see what your wedding and marriage look like!

Our biggest announcement ever!

Sara Lucero — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:41:04 +0000

Today I finally get to share the most exciting news!
WE ARE ADOPTING A BABY!

We signed our first (of many) forms and the process has officially begun! The process has started awhile ago in our hearts but it is now legally started

We are just BEYOND EXCITED at the opportunity to adopt a baby into our family. We cannot think of a better way to love the way Christ first loved us, his adopted sons and daughters. We are prepared for the process to be long and difficult, but we know the reward will be sweet. If you’d like to follow along every step of the way (including why we decided to adopt) please head on over to our brand new baby centered blog “And that makes three“!!! Because there is DEFINITELY more to say on the matter!

I hope you all will laugh, cry, celebrate, and PRAY with us as we go from 2 to 3 through the blessing of adoption!!!

Excited as ever,

Sara + Steve

Tereneh + Ryan: A Darling Desert Backyard Wedding

Sara Lucero — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:27:58 +0000

Ryan is a sarcastic guy that always has something to say and Tereneh is a soft spoken sweetheart. Basically, they are a match made in heaven.
After their sweet “First Look” Ryan told me that was the first time he had no words. I told him that’s called being SPEECHLESS. And rightfully so… Tereneh was stunning. There is something just so special about her. All day she kept asking everyone what SHE could do for THEM. I mean, really, she’s just so dear.
AND THEIR WEDDING WAS RAD! This backyard and house has got to be one of my favorites.. ever. The desert is so beautiful and I could not stop taking pictures of Tereneh spinning and twirling and dancing and running and just being so darn gorgeous!! She has a spark!
Don’t worry, Ryan, you have a spark too.

Sweet moments with her papa moments before the ceremony turned into tears from all 3 of us. He told her “You have made all my dreams come true and have fulfilled all the promises you made to me. I love you”
Ryan insisted we got a “detail shot for the wedding forums”. Haha! This guy.
Boys + Girls / Girls + Boys… and then Prom Pose. I love when bridal party’s have a little fun! Or, you know, a lot of fun.

Ended the wedding with s’mores! A perfectly sweet treat for a perfectly sweet wedding. Ryan + Tereneh thank you so much for having me!!! This wedding is such a great memory for me!

VENDOR LOVE
Wedding Planner: Taylor Sevilla
Styling: Taylor Sevilla
Hair + Makeup: Ashley Jael
Cake: Family friend
Venue: Private estate in Apple Valley, Ca

My new flash drive packaging for weddings!

Sara Lucero — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:56:31 +0000

Today as I was packing up our first official wedding of the year I decided to document my branding and packaging for the blog! I honestly couldn’t be happier with the way my brand has developed. Thorn and Sparrow is a rockstar.
One of my favorite parts of packing up wedding photos is filling out the custom mad lib that Ashley and I came up with last year. But really, it’s all my favorite part!

The logo + mad lib + peach + polka dots + stripes + floral = the perfect amount of happy, quirky, cool, and fun… in my humble opinion.

Also- there is a special something something in their but only my brides and grooms get to see that part. I’m so sneaky, I know.

Lucero Home Tour: My Office

Sara Lucero — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:24:19 +0000

Last night Steve and I were looking at our previous home tours and we couldn’t help but laugh! Well, I was laughing… Steve was embarrassed and asked if we could look forward and not back. Man oh man has our style developed. I’m sure in 2 years we are going to look back at our home now and feel the same way. I guess that’s how people who like change act. Right? Or are we the only ones?
I can officially say it’s taken 2 years to get our home how we like it. As most newlyweds or newly homeowners can attest you kind of have to live with that you’re given at first. Craigslist couches, hand-me-down furniture, and a down right confused vision of what YOUR HOME should be.
I’ve talked about this before in our living room home tour, but we realized that your home should be a sanctuary. I work from home and I for one want my home to be a place I WANT to be. In fact, our home is my favorite hang out spot in the whole desert! We wouldn’t have it any other way.

As my birthday present Steve said he wanted to re-do my office for me. I used to have grey and white vertical stripes on one wall and 3 grey walls. He painted everything a very subtle off white and added black polka dots to the wall I look at over my computer screen. It’s amazing how much magic polka dots can add! You can find all sorts of wall decals at Walls By Mur. Steve want’s to add patterns to every wall in the house now… but one of our biggest interior design flaws is that we get obessed with an idea and go over board…. *cough cough* striped walls in 3/4 bedrooms *cough cough*. He also ripped out the carpet and stained the concrete so my office matches our bedroom and living room.

I feel so productive and inspired in my new workspace environment! Next on the list: a new office chair! Any recommendations? Oh and photos on the walls, of course!
A big ol THANK YOU to Collette of Brier Rose Design for bringing me these gorgeous coral and white poppies! I love them so much…. especially because of the darling black and white details all over the vase! I took lots of photos because I’ve already had them for days and I knew they were on their last leg… or petal?
And this is Ella Phantzgerald (Thanks Rog for helping me name her). I found her at a thrift store a few weeks ago and I posted a poll on instagram if I should buy her or not…. it was unanimous! She is a delightful desk mate.
My mom found this night stand (and matching dresser) at a garage sale a few months before we were married. Steve recently detailed it with black paint and I love it all over again! We currently have the dresser in our dining room.

Polka Dots: Walls By Mur
Desk: Antique hand me down from Steve’s folks
Curtains: Ikea
Wall shelf: Purchased from a storage locker auction (hilarious story)
Night stand: Garage sale
Calender: Target
Bingo plate / card holder: Target
Rug: Target
Wooden chair: Antique hand me down from Steve’s folks
Flowers: Brier Rose Design
Gold lamp: Sister in law’s garage sale
Books: Jose Villa, Joy Cho, Southern Weddings Magazine
Blood, sweat, and tears: My amazing husband

Married: Alanna + Matt

Sara Lucero — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:24:08 +0000

Alanna and Matt ‘s wedding was full of such sweetness, sentiment, and emotion. She wore her mother’s 30 year old wedding dress and you could just FEEL how special that was. Her poor father.. his dry eyes didn’t stand a chance.
Instead of a first look, Alanna + Matt chose to pray together before the ceremony. Most of the time a first looks help alleviate some of the wedding day jitters and let’s you take a nice big breath and relax… but this no peeking prayer definitely heightened all of those anxious feelings! It was one of the most special wedding moments we have ever witnessed. I put Alanna in place and Steve backed Matt into his spot and we let them reach back for each other’s hands and as soon as Matt felt her his tears immediately flowed. She said “Hi Matty” and he wiped his tears and said “I just want to see you SO BAD…” and then my tears fell all over my camera. The first words in his prayer were “Thank you, God, for Alanna. Thank you for trusting me with her.” AAAANNND now i’m tearing up as I write this out! Wow. It was just incredibly emotional and really put the day into perspective.

That’s right… you saw it correctly.. the bride ate DEL TACO. Keepin’ it real. Also, the white shoes were the same shoes her mother wore at her wedding 30 years ago as well.
This pre-ceremony prayer was my favorite part of their wedding day. Matt’s love for her is sweeter than sweet.
Didn’t I tell you Matt is just the sweetest? What girl doesn’t want to be looked at like this as she’s walking down the aisle?
The joyful sobbing from the audience was almost more audible than the music. Marriage is SUCH a beautiful thing!
Alanna + Matt chose to serve each of their guests dinner. Their friends and family were so grateful. I’m telling you… they are the SWEETEST.

Alanna + Matt we were so honored to shoot your engagement and wedding photos. Thank you for trusting us with the special time in your lives! Now, get back from your honeymoon already so we can have married couple dinners and game nights! xo!
VENDOR LOVE
Wedding Coordinator: Taylor Sevilla
Makeup artist: Dana Cummings
Florist: Anna Pasimio
Cake: Bride’s Aunt
Ceremony band: Nathan Baldwin, Nate Ellis, Jake Ellis, Dana Cummings
DJ: DJ Myk
Wedding dress: Mother’s
Bridesmaid dresses: Forever 21
Suits: Friar Tux Shop
Officiant: Brett Dayton
Rentals: HD Party Rentals