Creating another chapter in your love story
Back in 2009, we were approached by a gentleman who wanted to do something very special to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary. We arranged for a suite at a luxury property in Carmel Valley, filled the living room with candles, floral arrangements and rose petals and set the mood for a romantic celebration. When his wife entered the room, she was surprised and very happy. During that vow renewal ceremony, the husband cried for what he said was only the second time in his adult life. We felt so honored to be witness to their lifetime of love that we started a wedding company, Weddings in Monterey.
We decided that we really wanted to focus on smaller weddings -- especially elopement ceremonies. Over these past eleven years, as an officiant, wedding planner and photographer, we have been involved in more weddings that anyone else in Monterey County. As an officiant, photographer and planner, we have met with well over two thousand couples to discover what their dream elopement ceremony looks like. The Monterey Peninsula is so beautiful and with about 150 different places from which to chose, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Our team is comprised of some of the top wedding professionals in the area. Some services can be billed in our package and others we will coordinate the introduction but you will sign with them separately.
Please feel free to contact us by phone (831-393-0445) or by email (info@weddingsinmonterey.com) to start planning for one of the most memorable days of your life.
“Without having any family or friends there, they really made the extra effort to help us feel at ease….thank you for the perfect memories.” Sarah Bezaire
The Team
Brian (Owner / Lead Officiant and Planner): In high school, Brian's plan was to go to medical school and become a doctor. However, he fell in love with the hospitality business and had an 8 year career in hotel sales / events before starting a hotel reservations business with a woman who would soon become his wife (Heidi). Ten years later, after selling that business, they opened Romantic Celebrations, a local business focused on helping people to celebrate wedding anniversaries and honeymoons as well as proposal planning. One of the couples whose proposal was planned asked for assistance with their wedding and Weddings in Monterey was born. When not officiating or planning a wedding or renewal, Brian is addicted to riding his Peloton bike, spending time with the family, playing with the dog and cat (who is almost as big as the dog), and watching sports.
Heidi (Owner / Lead Photographer and Planner): Heidi graduated with a degree in hotel management after spending time at the acclaimed Cesar Ritz College in Switzerland. She turned down offers in major cities to come work in Monterey where she met her husband, Brian. Together, they started a hotel reservations business that pre-dated sites likes Expedia and Booking.com, and forged solid relationships throughout Monterey County. Heidi's love for photography started after the birth of her twins, Brooke and Olivia. She captured every moment of their early years, was mentored by some of the top photographers in the area and began her own photo business in 2006. She loves the study of light and comes equipped on every shoot with the latest and greatest lighting gear (and an assistant) to truly capture the moment. When she doesn't have a camera in her hands (which is rare), she loves hanging out with her friends, donating her time to Pass The Word and the National Charity League, and spending time with the family.
Brooke (Lead Assistant / Photographers Assistant): From an early age, Brooke has been around the wedding industry. When she was able to work (and get paid), she learned everything she could from Heidi and within a couple of years became one of her top assistants. Brooke has a great "eye", is super friendly, and someone that always gives one hundred percent to every event.
Ben (Outdoor Wedding Set-Up): It's not easy getting everything lined up and looking just right but Ben is a magician when it comes to weddings. He always arrives ahead of schedule and follows the plan with precision. Plus he's super friendly and when he isn't helping our couples, you'll find him out on the water or spending time with his family.
Gianna (Wedding Assistant / Photographers Assistant): Gianna might be the friendly person we have ever met. While assisting at weddings, if you look in her direction she will always be smiling. She truly enjoys helping couples make their special day the best it can be and has assisted us with everything from wedding planning to researching the best restaurants in town for receptions. She is amazing!
Val (Lead Photographers Assistant / Second Photographer): Val has a tremendous energy and positive attitude that makes every wedding better with her presence. A terrific photographer when we first met her, she studied under our main photographer (Heidi) and increased her knowledge about composition and lighting. When she isn't assisting Heidi, she is one of out top second photographers for our larger weddings.
Stafford (Videography): Brian, our lead officiant, first met Stafford while presiding over his ceremony. They hit it off and it made complete sense to have Stafford, an accomplished local videographer, to join our team. He is super friendly, makes couples feel at ease and provides a wonderful highlight reel so that couples can remember their most special day.
Mark & Lisa (Florals): When we started our wedding business back in 2012, one of the first calls we made was to Mark. He had provided florals for weddings we had worked as vendors (officiant and photographer), so when we decided to offer packages with florals, it was only natural to work together. Mark and Lisa's company has provided beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres and arch decorations at a reasonable price. Even when a wedding has asked for florals at the very last minute, they communicate with our team effectively and deliver beautiful arrangements.
Chantal (Design Consultation and Day of Coordinator): The first time we met Chantal, she was working at a wedding where we were the officiant and photographer. She was super friendly and we noticed that she never stopped smiling. Although not an employee of our company, we do work with her about 6 - 8 times a year when our couples are looking for some design expertise with their ceremony and reception. She is also available to hire as a day-of-coordinator for couples that would like to have someone there taking care of their needs from the start of their wedding day and through the reception (working in conjunction with our coordinator). Please contact us to find out more about her services.
Heidi (Owner / Lead Photographer and Planner): Heidi graduated with a degree in hotel management after spending time at the acclaimed Cesar Ritz College in Switzerland. She turned down offers in major cities to come work in Monterey where she met her husband, Brian. Together, they started a hotel reservations business that pre-dated sites likes Expedia and Booking.com, and forged solid relationships throughout Monterey County. Heidi's love for photography started after the birth of her twins, Brooke and Olivia. She captured every moment of their early years, was mentored by some of the top photographers in the area and began her own photo business in 2006. She loves the study of light and comes equipped on every shoot with the latest and greatest lighting gear (and an assistant) to truly capture the moment. When she doesn't have a camera in her hands (which is rare), she loves hanging out with her friends, donating her time to Pass The Word and the National Charity League, and spending time with the family.
Brooke (Lead Assistant / Photographers Assistant): From an early age, Brooke has been around the wedding industry. When she was able to work (and get paid), she learned everything she could from Heidi and within a couple of years became one of her top assistants. Brooke has a great "eye", is super friendly, and someone that always gives one hundred percent to every event.
Ben (Outdoor Wedding Set-Up): It's not easy getting everything lined up and looking just right but Ben is a magician when it comes to weddings. He always arrives ahead of schedule and follows the plan with precision. Plus he's super friendly and when he isn't helping our couples, you'll find him out on the water or spending time with his family.
Gianna (Wedding Assistant / Photographers Assistant): Gianna might be the friendly person we have ever met. While assisting at weddings, if you look in her direction she will always be smiling. She truly enjoys helping couples make their special day the best it can be and has assisted us with everything from wedding planning to researching the best restaurants in town for receptions. She is amazing!
Val (Lead Photographers Assistant / Second Photographer): Val has a tremendous energy and positive attitude that makes every wedding better with her presence. A terrific photographer when we first met her, she studied under our main photographer (Heidi) and increased her knowledge about composition and lighting. When she isn't assisting Heidi, she is one of out top second photographers for our larger weddings.
Stafford (Videography): Brian, our lead officiant, first met Stafford while presiding over his ceremony. They hit it off and it made complete sense to have Stafford, an accomplished local videographer, to join our team. He is super friendly, makes couples feel at ease and provides a wonderful highlight reel so that couples can remember their most special day.
Mark & Lisa (Florals): When we started our wedding business back in 2012, one of the first calls we made was to Mark. He had provided florals for weddings we had worked as vendors (officiant and photographer), so when we decided to offer packages with florals, it was only natural to work together. Mark and Lisa's company has provided beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres and arch decorations at a reasonable price. Even when a wedding has asked for florals at the very last minute, they communicate with our team effectively and deliver beautiful arrangements.
Chantal (Design Consultation and Day of Coordinator): The first time we met Chantal, she was working at a wedding where we were the officiant and photographer. She was super friendly and we noticed that she never stopped smiling. Although not an employee of our company, we do work with her about 6 - 8 times a year when our couples are looking for some design expertise with their ceremony and reception. She is also available to hire as a day-of-coordinator for couples that would like to have someone there taking care of their needs from the start of their wedding day and through the reception (working in conjunction with our coordinator). Please contact us to find out more about her services.
