Real Weddings: Danica & Reggie

It took a visit to San Diego to see his brother get promoted in the Marine Corps for Reggie to bump into the beautiful woman from his past that would become his wife. Danica and Reggie actually grew up in the same town in Virginia, but coincidentally ten years after high school their paths crossed again in sunny Southern California during that trip. Danica stunned Reggie with her beauty and ambition — she wears many hats — she’s a graduate of Florida State University, a public relations manager, a Navy Reservist and a lifestyle blogger over at Danica Explains It All. While dating, Reggie and Danica saw a marriage taking place on some cliffs in San Diego, overlooking the ocean. The pair vowed that that would be them someday. And in 2019, they made good on their promise. In the fall of that year, Danica met her beloved Reggie at the altar on the cliffs to be married in front of 50 guests. For the wedding, Danica chose a one-of-a-kind Pnina Tornai gown that was the first and only dress she tried on. Her father and two brothers all walked her down the aisle, where she was given away to her groom. In fact, Reggie’s father was the officiant of their wedding. “I felt protected and loved by the men who raised me,” Danica said. Their intimate wedding maintained a motif that was inspired by the first painting Reggie painted. When they began dating, Reggie, who is a career service member but also artist on the side, painted a sprouting plant for Danica as a symbol of the love that was growing between them. Danica used the idea of love growing in various places throughout the wedding, particularly with their wedding favors which were flower seed packets. At the end of the night, the couple were surprised with a honeymoon to Hawaii by their parents. Also coincidentally, both Reggie and Danica had lived in Hawaii for a time in childhood; Reggie was even born there. Their parents arranged for the couple to be whisked off to the big island the very next day.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: San Diego, CA

TIME OF YEAR:  Fall

WEDDING STYLE: bohemian, chic, sentimental

CEREMONY: Sunset Cliffs

RECEPTION: Old Venice

DESSERT: Cake

FIRST DANCE SONG:  “I Gotta Be” by Jagged Edge

INSPIRATION: the bride wanted a healthy mix of boho-chic along with romantic sentimentality, while incorporating beach vibes

SPECIAL FEATURES: Polaroid picture guest book where guests could snap photos of themselves and add them to a special book; get-away car was a vintage, red 1961 Cadillac convertible; the couple did the tradition of jumping the broom; favors were packets of plant seeds to symbolize growing love which was a nod to the first painting Reggie ever painted for Danica; a hula dancer surprised the pair at their reception; Reggie’s father was the officiant; sparkler send-off; Reggie’s sister performed a surprise hula dance

HONEYMOON: Hawaii

COLORS: 

Vendors

• Photographer & Videographer: Yours Truly Media
• Florist: Flower You Beautiful
• Ceremony Venue: Seaside Weddings San Diego
• Reception Venue: Old Venice
• Caterer: Old Venice
• Cake Designer & Desserts: Sugar & Scribe
• Lighting & Rentals: Dancing Dj Productions
• Transportation: Haynes Chauffeuring
• Music: Dancing Dj Productions
• Print Materials: Minted
• Make Up Artist: Face by Kayla
• Hair/Salon: Amber Elizabeth Hair
• Bridal Gown: Pnina Tornai at Kleinfeld’s
• Bridesmaids Dresses: Kleinfeld’s
• Groom & Groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse