rancho bernardo inn

[real weddings | SAN DIEGO]
Whitney Williams & Sergio Martinez
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RANCHO BERNARDO INN | JUNE 22, 2007
Text by Margaret Dodd, Photography by Stone Ridge Photogrpahers (Arkansas)
In an intimate outdoor setting at sunset, Sergio and Whitney
read their marriage vows before a large boulder as backdrop for the
altar, signifying their strength as a couple.
“I knew I’d found the man I would marry after we met on a
work project,” said Whitney. “I’m from Arkansas, and Sergio is from
a Mexican family and grew up in San Diego— we were attracted by
the difference in our backgrounds.”
They decided on Rancho Bernardo Inn as a wedding venue—
with its panoramic views, flower gardens, fountains, and luscious
green lawns—for both the ceremony and reception, a convenience
for guests from all over the country who could stay at the site.
Since the couple loves red, there were tons of red roses at the
altar, lining the aisle, and in the flowers of the bridal party, along with
hearts as table décor at the reception. And the bridesmaids wore
red.
A Mariachi band, a gift from Sergio’s aunt, led guests to the
reception. “When we entered the ballroom, everyone stood and
cheered. It was the most incredible rush. Sergio is such a fun,
energetic person and he worked the crowd for more noise. Everyone
was going nuts! Then we went into our first dance to ‘Under my Skin’
by Frank Sinatra,” Whitney smiled.
“Rancho Bernardo Inn has outstanding food, and dinner was
wonderful. After the toasts, we showed a video of our childhoods
and pictures of us throughout our relationship. My father’s birthday
was just after the wedding, so we had a special toast for him. The
evening was full of drinks, fun, laughter, and dancing,” she added.
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SAN DIEGO STYLE WEDDINGS
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“A great moment was the mother/son dance. When Sergio and his
mother danced to ‘Las Bodas,’ the guests yelled, and roses flew onto
the dance floor from all directions, which got the crowd more and
more excited!”
Whitney’s parents had driven from Arkansas pulling a U-haul
full of wedding gifts and decorations. Her mother handmade many
special items that added a vibrant touch to the wedding, such as savethe-date cards, pew markers, thank-you notes, reception menus, and
the wreaths on the ballroom doors—as well as a basket for every one
of the guests’ rooms at the Inn.
“The Rancho Bernardo Inn website states, ‘Weddings Made
to Perfection.’ And that’s exactly what they did. The expert staff,
led by Tricia Sadikoff, more than met our expectations,” recalled
Whitney. “Our photographers, Mark and Dana Gieringer, of Stone
Ridge Photography, came from Arkansas to shoot the wedding.
They are amazing! The DJ, Tim Altbaum, was fantastic—he kept
the party spinning. All the vendors were outstanding—from Flowers
by Christine, Reverend John McKee, Rendezvous Video, to makeup
artists Maria Longhi and Joey, wedding planner Tami Austin, and
Zita at Brides by Demetrios.”
“It’s a tradition in Sergio’s family to have a celebration party the
day after the wedding, and that’s what we did. It was so thoughtful of
his parents and his aunt, and was a great time to visit with everyone,”
Whitney shared.
“Then we honeymooned at Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and stayed at
the Excellence Riviera Cancun. The resort was out of this world!” she
concluded. 
WEDDING RESOURCES
Ceremony & Reception
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Wedding Coordinator
Tami Austin
Officiant
John McKee
Photographer
Stone Ridge Photographers
Videographer
Rendezvous Video
Florist
Flowers by Christine
Linens
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Entertainment
DJ Tim Altbaum
Catering
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Makeup & Hair
Maria Longhi
Dress
Brides by Demetrios
Men’s Formalwear
After Hours Formalwear
Jewelry & Rings
David Godley
Ben Bridge
Rentals
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Cake
Flour Power Custom Cakes
www.sandiegostyleweddings.com | SAN DIEGO STYLE WEDDINGS
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