Although their parents had known each other through Calvary Church before any of their children were born, Ryan and Christy didn't meet until much later through mutual friends. They became friends and started dating nearly a year after they met. When the couple planned a snowboarding trip with friends, Christy was disappointed to hear that none of them would be able to come along due to different emergencies-Ryan had called each one and told everyone to bail out. First thing in the morning, the couple rode to the top of Snow Summit to prepare for their first run down the slopes when Ryan called Christy over to him and proposed. "I said 'Yes!' before he had even finished asking," she says.
THE BRIDE Christy Eschenmann, a 22-year-old massage therapist
THE GROOM Ryan Slack, a 24-year-old customer service rep
THE DATE January 19
THE SCENE Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Santa Ana
With 13 months to plan everything, only one thing was sure: the nuptials had to take place at the church they'd held so near and dear: Calvary's Samsvick Chapel. With its large stained-glass window, it was the perfect place for the couple to hold their Christian ceremony.
They kept the decorations simple: white tulle and lights down the aisle, with four Roman-style columns around the altar. Forty close friends and family continued on to the St. Regis Monarch Bay Hotel in Dana Point for dinner.
Christy had decided on a "winter wonderland" theme. The invitations were embossed with snowflakes and the white vellum envelopes were lined with red paper. Flashes of red were also reflected throughout the wedding reception. She suspended silver snowflake ornaments from the ceiling, and tables were decorated with red pillar candles and snowflake confetti. The cake, four rum-dipped layers filled with fruit, was frosted in white and adorned with royal icing snowflakes.
The bride and her bridesmaids wore red pashminas over their shoulders, in contrast to their black gowns, and they carried bright crimson bouquets dotted with flecks of pink and purple. The groom and his groomsmen wore black tuxedos and shirts accented with red ties and boutonnieres. Even the flower girl, the daughter of a close friend, wore a dress that bore a red sash.
--Joanna Saltz
Photos © Jason Wallis
For the ingredients that make up this wedding, see the right-hand column of this page.
See More: Real Weddings: Winter , Real Weddings: Theme Weddings