Anna & Stetson // Lake Sherwood Country Club Wedding

I have to re-share Anna & Stetson’s love story from their engagement post because it’s the sweetest:

Two years ago, Stetson moved to Thousand Oaks to take a position as a minister at a church. Anna had just moved home from college, and she was looking to join a new church. Anna’s cousin Sophia told her she HAD to come to her church, as there was a “super cute new pastor,” but Anna insisted she would never date a pastor, and continued to look into other church options. At the same time, Sophia told Stetson how she “had a cousin that would be great for him.” Stetson was not looking for a relationship and wanted to focus on his career, so he brushed the suggestion aside and didn’t give it a second thought.

One weekend, Anna decided to give the church a try while Stetson was scheduled to be away on vacation. That Sunday, Stetson decided to cut his trip short in order to make it back in time for church..

After the service, Anna & Stetson met for the first time. They both quickly decided they may want to reconsider Sophia’s attempt to play cupid and set them up!

Stetson invited Anna to their young adult gathering that week, secretly hoping that she would come so that he could get to know her better. Later that week, Anna excitedly attended one of the gatherings, secretly hoping that it would give her the opportunity to spent more time with Stetson.

Soon, the couple found every “church-related” excuse to spend time together. In the spirit of honesty, Stetson nervously confessed that he had feelings for Anna and was interested in pursuing something more than a platonic church friendship. Luckily, Anna had feelings for him as well and the pair began dating soon after.

Their first two years as a couple were filled with adventures, hikes, sushi dates & cooking together, beach days, quality time with family, and further exploration of their shared passion for their faith. Through job changes, good times & hard times, the two grew as a couple and developed a growing excitement for their life together as a couple.

In February, Stetson proposed to Anna and she enthusiastically said yes. They began planning their wedding shortly after (as COVID slowly entered the scene) and have gracefully accepted the challenges that come along with planning a wedding in such an unpredictable time.

Now onto their beautiful wedding:

On the sunniest & most lovely September day, Anna & Stetson got married at the Lake Sherwood Country Club surrounded by their friends & family. The day was incredibly relaxed, spiritual, and love-filled—you wouldn’t know COVID was a thing unless you checked the news (or took a look at me and saw the masks I was wearing.) It was exciting to experience a bigger wedding again after a summer of intimate backyard weddings. The ceremony and reception were both outdoors and there was no dancing allowed at the venue due to state event restrictions, so everything felt quite safe and guests could maintain physical distance if they chose to.

My favorite moment of the day was when Anna walked down the aisle and Stetson saw her for the first time. The overwhelming emotion he felt was clear on his face as a single tear rolled down his cheek. I was so moved, I even turned video + photos from the moment into my first TikTok! Throughout their traditional religious ceremony, family & friends prayed over the couple, and there was an electric, warm energy on the Sherwood balcony. The support & love radiating from all of their guests was loud & clear all day.

After they shared their first kiss as husband & wife and walked up the aisle as guests cheered on, it was hugs all around! Anna jumped into Stetson’s arms at the end of the aisle, and then proceeded to accept teary-eyed embraces from wedding party members. Afterwards, guests snacked on appetizers as we took family & wedding party photos, and then the new Fitches and I went and took portraits during the glooowiieestt sunset.

My go-to, absolute favorite wedding planner Tiffany helped the day run smooth as butter, and the reception tables-scapes were flawlessly accented by dreamy florals from Flowers By Maria. Although there was no group dancing at the reception (until the after party at a private home), the couple was still able to share a first dance, have parent dances, hear hilarious & heartfelt speeches, eat an incredible dinner, and have a traditional cake-cutting. The reception was short, sweet, and perfect.

At the end of the night, the couple hopped into an epic vintage car & headed off to their after party. When they arrived at the house for their after-hours celebration, their loved ones enthusiastically greeted them and welcomed them onto the dance floor. Through the rest of the evening, guests mingled, drank, ate incredible homemade desserts and late-night munchies (hello taco bar), and celebrated the newly minted Fitches. Through all the obstacles, the couple managed to have the ceremony, reception, and party they always dreamed of.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Fitch!! May your love always be as bright, deep, joyful, & undeniable as it was on your wedding day.