Sept. 17, 2011
Ceremony: St. Francis church, Sacramento
Reception: Elks Tower ballroom, Sacramento

Gown: Maggie Sottero, Glamour Closet, San Francisco  |  Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Angelo, Roseville  |  Catering: TLC Catering, Sacramento DJ/Music: Extreme Productions, Roseville  |  Flowers/Florist: Fleurs du Jour, Roseville  |  Cake: The Sweetest Things, Roseville Hair Stylist: Robyn Kelley, Studio Belladon, Roseville  |  Jewelry: Bride’s own  |  Shoes: Badgley Mischka  |  Favors: Glass globe wine stoppers Horse & Carriage: Top Hand Ranch, Elverta  |  Videographer: Eric Leas, Acti-Video, Roseville

How they met: The two met at 24 Hour Fitness in Roseville, where Sami works as a personal trainer.

How they got engaged: Sami proposed to Megan at Lodi’s Wine & Roses, in a room decked out with rose petals.

All about the wedding: The couple’s mutual love of travel and wine was evident. Save-the-date cards looked like airline boarding passes, invitations like travel brochures, and place cards like arrival and departure notices—all made by Megan. Each of the 25 tables at the reception had a picture—hand-painted with watercolors by future sister-in-law Candyce Nakahara—of places Megan and Sami had traveled together. Wine bottles propped up the paintings. Glass wine stoppers shaped as globes—with globes etched on them—were given out as favors. Guests were impressed with the four-tier wedding cake, saying it reminded them of the Leaning Tower of Pisa— though that was not intentional. Vintage luggage and globes served as décor.

An evening of fun: A cinema room (with a running slideshow of photos of the bride and groom), a pub and a photo booth with props—including a “passport” to place photos in—got guests mingling and moving around. “I didn’t want a stuffy, sit-down, no-one-talking-to-each-other event,” says Megan. Sheets of paper and envelopes were provided so that guests could write a private note to the newlyweds.

Special moments: For Sami, it was seeing Megan for the first time that day. “That moment is just like what you think it will be,” says Sami. “It lives up to the picture you have in your mind.”

Love, Megan—and Snoop Dogg: Sami’s groomsmen ran into the rapper— he happened to be staying at the Hyatt, where Sami and his groomsmen were getting ready—en route to delivering Megan’s card to Sami. Naturally, they asked him to sign the card, too. He did.

Grand exit: The couple left the reception via horse and carriage, with guests holding up sparklers as Megan and Sami rode away.