Michelle + Karl, July 3, 2011 - Hotel De Anza, San Jose Wedding

I met Karl and Michelle about a year ago when they were planning a wedding at the Brovan Ranch in Shingletown. We hit it off immediately and not just because we have the same name. Later, they changed the wedding to San Jose. Could I still come? Definitely! Their wedding took place in the Palm Court of the Hotel De Anza in San Jose. There was a live band and a scrumptious meal prepared by the hotel (poached salmon: YES!). As the hour got late, the party moved about five blocks away to the couple's favorite bar, in which they'd reserved a large party room.

The night before the wedding I was stoked to hear the sounds of a concert down the street -- replete with thousands of screaming fans. I opened my sixth floor window to enjoy the music and heard Don't Stop Believin' and thought OMG -- Journey is playing!! Sadly, the front desk informed me in the morning that it was in fact The Backstreet Boys (now apparently the Backstreet Men), doing not only their old songs (they had some?), but others, like Journey and Coldplay songs. Sheesh.

But I digress.

The coolest thing ever happened during the ceremony: After a heartfelt reading of each of the couple's vows, Michelle was so overcome by emotion that she spontaneously reached for and kissed Karl, to the delight of everyone, though perhaps not the officiant. This occurred not at the expected you may kiss the bride moment but somewhere in the middle of the shortest ceremony ever! We took a little hike across the street to grab some couple shots then returned for more pictures, food, toasts, and dancing.

Your love for each other is so sweetly evident it was delightful to be around both of you. It was also great to see a Shingletown contingent among the guests -- thanks, Brovans, for the walk back to the hotel. Michelle and Karl, I wish you both an amazing future together as husband and wife!!