Bakersfield Country Club

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

it all started with Stephen's cousin Vinny...

When Vinny told Alysse about his cousin Stephen, no one could have dreamed where we are today.Vinny saw a lot of similarities between Stephen and Alysse - both driven career people, a background in winemaking, and both from Bakersfield, but Vinny never predicted they'd hit it off the way they did.At Alysse &amp; Stephens first date, the chaperones (Vinny, Kathleen, and Beau) found themselves talking more and more to each other, while Alysse &amp; Stephen were busy learning as much as they could about each other. Stephen and Alysse have been inseparable since. photo: sneakily taken by Vinny, corner booth at Pyrenees

The beginning of Stephen &amp; Alysse's relationship consisted of about 5 country concerts, through which they met each others friends and families.They quickly found that they had a lot in common on those fronts too - a lot of very best friends, and turns out Dutch and Italian families have more in common than not. photo: Luke Combs concert in LA

The real test in Stephen and Alysse's relationship came with 4 legs, pointy ears, and a long body... Alysse's dog Sophia.Stephen and Sophia were stuck in a power struggle, until Stephen introduced her to her favorite activity... chasing the golf cart and running the course with Stephen.Since then, the two have been inseparable. Fun fact - Sophie howls for Stephen when he gets home after leaving her... and Alysse might be a little jealous. photo: Bakersfield Country Club

Alysse &amp; Stephen knew they were meant to be, but making it through a family wedding and combined holidays proved they could work through anything (kidding, kind of) photo: Nathan &amp; Reece De Jager's Wedding, October 2024

Stephen proposed on Shell Beach, CA, a place very special to both of them on March 22nd, 2025 - one year to the date after they met on their chaperoned date in Bakersfield. photo: celebrating their engagement in Mexico, March 26th 2025

We can't wait to ride through life together, and celebrate our new and greatest chapter so far with all of you. SADDLE UP FOR FEBRUARY 14TH, 2026 PARTNERS!

Our Story

wedding mood board

Wedding attire is black tie, we encourage women to dress in Valentine's Day colors - shades of red, pink and purple. Link to Pinterest Board: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/alyssedejager13/harmer-wedding-attire/?invite_code=19b82c45ab2940b6933dd14e3476207b&amp;sender=276760477009184169" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harmer Wedding Attire</a>

Photos

OUR FAMILY

ALYSSE Cal De Jager, Father of the BrideWilma De Jager, Mother of the BrideNathan and Reece De Jager, Brother and Sister-In-Law of the BrideJared De Jager, Brother of the BrideGeorge Plantenga, Grandfather of the BrideAgnes Plantenga, Grandmother of the Bride STEPHEN Kenny Harmer, Father of the GroomMarianne Harmer, Mother of the GroomBianca Harmer, Sister of the GroomDlo Smith, Grandmother of the Groom ~ Alysse's paternal grandparents, Anthony and Jana De Jager, and Stephen's maternal grandparents, Salvatore &amp; Nina Oddo, will be watching over our special day.

our best friends

OFFICIANT

Vinny Oddo

BRIDESMAIDS

Kathleen PearsonSara WindJessica DicksonHannah BakerAbby WilsonMaddie KeeseyMorgan MaringAlyssa DownsBianca HarmerReece De Jager

GROOMSMEN

Nick SalvucciRiley ScottAnthony BuckAnthony IglesiasCraig CybulskiSean VinsonKyle KnutsonNathan De JagerJared De Jager

FLOWER GIRL

Georgia Baker, daughter of Bridesmaid Hannah Baker

RING BEARER

Brooks Scott, son of Groomsman Riley Scott and Stephen's godson.

Wedding Party

Q + A

We recommend staying at The Padre, this hotel is closest to Bakersfield Country Club. Be sure to book with our Wedding Planner's discount "The Belle Rae Corporate Rate" for 20% off

The Padre Hotel

room block details to come

Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center

Bakersfield Airport is the best option for our guests coming in from out of state. BFL connects through Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, and San Francisco, and is about a 20 minute drive to the hotels.

Meadows Field Airport

Travel

BAKO'S BEST!

BREAKFAST

Cafe Smittenalysse &amp; the girl's favorite place to grab coffee and a small breakfast. alysse's order: hot vanilla latte &amp; granola bowl 909 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

24th St. Cafea Bakersfield staple. 1415 24th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

LUNCH

LUIGIS an absolute must while in Bakersfield, Luigi's is a semi-casual Italian restaurant. alysse's order: monica salad - add a scoop of sacco beans, order of truffle sacchetti or spicy italian sausage for the table with an aperol spritzstephen's order: steak sandwhich with a vodka soda double in a tall glass 725 E 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93305

PYRENEES a local watering hole with great food, a Bakersfield experience.

DINNER

WOOLGROWERS if you know Alysse and Stephen, you've heard about Woolgrower's. if Luigi's is the lunch must, Woolgrower's is the dinner must do. A basque experience, you're going to leave full! alysse's order: mix the beans and soup together with a scoop of salsa, order hard jack for the table, order the shrimp scampi entree. drink house wine or a gin &amp; tonic. stephen's order: mix the beans and soup together with a double scoop of salsa, and dip the bread. order a plate of tongue for the table, and filet or new york entree. drink house wine or a vodka soda with a lime and a lemon.

MEXICALI Great Mexican food with even better vibes.

COCKTAILS & NIGHTLIFE

PRAIRIE FIRE AT THE PADRE HOTEL The Padre's rooftop bar, great for pre-dinner drinks.

THE BOTANIST 	The location of Stephen &amp; Alysse's first date :)

Alysse + Stephen

Alysse + Stephen

Travel

The Padre Hotel

Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center

Meadows Field Airport