Lisa and John’s wedding at Cache Creek Resort was just recently featured in REAL WEDDINGS magazine as an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE!

Online Exclusive—Lisa & John Erickson

From the Winter/Spring 2011 issue

Although Lisa and John both attended California State University Chico and graduated a year apart, the couple didn’t meet at school. Instead, they were fated to meet through eHarmony. About a year-and-a-half after love bloomed online, the two got engaged.

Lisa was surprised by the proposal on the day of the engagement, although in the back of her mind, she had a hunch. John was extremely nervous. But the big question went off without a hitch, and the two shared a special day the next afternoon at the Special Olympics – John is a coach for one of the volleyball teams in the East Bay. Then in the evening, the couple announced the engagement at Lisa’s grandparent’s home over Chinese food and chocolate cake.

Lisa dove into wedding planning almost immediately. First she picked the venue, then a dress and a photographer. The spring wedding was held at the Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort. The ceremony took place in the early evening on top of a hill overlooking the golf course. The 100 guests were in awe of the couple and the view.

The bride and groom paid tribute to their families on the special day. An empty chair draped with greenery sat in the first row of the ceremony in memory of Lisa’s father. Also, the bride carried a small white bible her mother carried on the day she was married to Lisa’s father, almost 50 years prior. Lisa also wore a crystal bracelet on her left wrist made by her mother.

Lisa’s mother wasn’t the only creative one in the bunch. The bride’s best friend and matron of honor wore a dress she handmade from a pattern she copied from a design off of Project Runway, and also made Lisa’s garter and the ring-bearer pillows. The bride herself made all the dinner menus placed at each guest’s seat and the escort cards. She also came up with all of the table names, which were the couple’s favorite Disneyland rides and placed them in crystal picture frames.

More family was honored throughout the ceremony and reception including Lisa’s brother and mother walking her down the aisle to John. And the finishing touch was crystal-framed photos of both Lisa’s and John’s parents cutting their wedding cakes, which were placed next to the couple’s cake on the big day.

The most memorable parts of the wedding remained the couple’s intimate moments of the vows and their first dance; followed by the romantic setting during dinner of the sun setting behind the green hills as the couple looked through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. 

Lisa & John’s Wedding Resources:
Ceremony Site: Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort
Officiant: Paula Pociecha
Ceremony Music: Guitarist Mark Gonzales
Photographer: Diana Miller Photography   Phone: 916-729-5520
Videographer: Michael Pociecha
Reception Site: Yocha Dehe Golf Club at Cache Creek Casino Resort
Hair: Dorothy Myers
Make-up: The Spa at Cache Creek
Bridal Attire: Dress by Casablanca, but don’t want to name retailer as would not want to recommend
Bridesmaid Attire: Dress by Matron of Honor
Flowergirl Attire: Pink Princess, hair bows from No Slippy Hair Clippy
Groom’s Attire: Macy’s, tie from The Tie Bar
Groomsmen Attire: Groomsman’s own, tie from The Tie Bar
Ringbearer Attire: Men’s Wearhouse, tie from The Tie Bar
Bride’s Jeweler: DeBartolo & Co.
Groom’s Jeweler: DeBartolo & Co.
Invitations: Michaels; table cards and escort cards designed by bride
Flowers: Green Valley Floral & Gifts
Caterer: Cache Creek Casino Resort
Cake: Cache Creek Casino Resort
DJ/Entertainment: DJK Keith Switzer
Favors: See’s Candies in silver boxes tied with turquoise ribbon
First Dance Song: From This Moment by Shania Twain
Cake Cutting Song: The Sweetest Thing by U2

Any tips you’d give to brides and grooms planning their wedding:
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful day.
Details about this couples cake:
Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate ganache icing.
Details about this couples flowers:
Gardenias, roses, stephanotis, hydrangea, miniature lilies in bride’s bouquet; cymbidium orchids at each place setting at reception; table center pieces: roses, cymbidium orchids, hydrangea, etc.

Anything else about your wedding? 
I had two great vendors: Peggy from Green Valley Floral and Diana from Diana Miller Photography.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
NOTHING!