1. Real Weddings

An Elegant Ballroom Wedding at The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach, California

Kelli McCollister (33 and in sales) and Nick Eldred (27 and in sales) worked at the same company and began a friendship through carpooling to after-wo

Kelli McCollister (33 and in sales) and Nick Eldred (27 and in sales) worked at the same company and began a friendship through carpooling to after-work activities together. As time went on, they discovered their romantic feelings for each other and decided to leave the company in order to pursue it. While the couple was on vacation in Cayucos with both of their families, Nick proposed to Kelli with a heart shaped diamond ring that was made by the same jeweler who designed her mother’s ring 20 years ago. The couple had their outdoor ceremony and indoor reception at The Cliff’s resort in Fresno, California near the central coast. Kelli first saw her pink wedding dress designed by Kitty Chen in a magazine, and it immediately caught her eye (pink was her favorite color.) She wore a long pink veil purchased from Mia Bella Couture to match, along with a rhinestone belt and Badgley Mischka shoes. Kelli’s wedding dress served as the inspiration for the romantic wedding color palette, which was made of pink, silver and white. Each guest had their own miniature wedding cake to enjoy, and the couple shared a heart shaped Sweetheart themed cake with their last name initial “E” on top!

Wedding Rings on Pink Dahlia
Pale Pink Shoes with Crystal Accent
“I saw the dress in a magazine even before our engagement, and it was a dress that caught my eye because it was pink and a bit different than anything I had seen before (Ginger by Kitty Chen,)” says Kelli. “Everyone who knows me would tell you I love all things pink, and the dress was a very elegant spin on pink. I wore a long pink veil crafted by Mia Bella Couture (where the dress was purchased) in Fresno, California, as well as a rhinestone belt and matching Badgley Mischka shoes.”
Back of Rose Wedding Dress
Bridal Party Shot, White and Pink
Kelli held an ivory and pink bouquet filled with hydrangeas, dahlias, ranunculus and roses accented with dusty miller.
“We each have a love for the beach being that we both grew up just hours away,” says Kelli. “We knew we wanted something on the Central California Coast, but we weren’t aiming for the sand-in-your-toes casual wedding. The Cliffs Resort seemed to offer the best of both worlds!”
Lush Outdoor Ceremony at The Cliff Resort
At the outdoor ceremony, aisles were lined with candelabras filled with pink and ivory hydrangeas, roses and dahlias.
Ring Bearer Blowing Bubbles at Ceremony
Kelli and Nick Standing at Altar
Putting Ring on Finger at Ceremony
First Kiss at Outdoor Altar
The bridesmaids wore white strapless long dresses while the groomsmen matched the groom and wore black tuxedos.
Romantic Moment Between Kelli and Nick
Kelli and Nick with Waterfront Backdrop
At the elegant ballroom reception, tables were decorated with ivory and pink centerpieces of hydrangeas, dahlias and roses.
"As guests sat down to the reception there was a mini bubble gum machine with wedding-colored gum inside," says Kelli
Kelli created a speciality cocktail recipe for a pink cotton candy martini, which had a cotton candy stick dipped into the drink.
Personalized Champagne Glasses for Married Couple
“The wedding cake was served as a 3” miniature wedding cake for each guest, with a heart shaped Sweetheart cake for the bride and groom and a rhinestone "E" as the topper," says Kelli.
rn“One of the most enjoyable activities during the wedding planning was taking dance lessons,” says Kelli. “We performed the Waltz at our wedding which was a lot of fun, and we danced to John Legend’s "All of Me.” rn