Wedding Date: April 27, 2019
Sarah Keller and David Houck weren’t expecting to find love when they were set up on blind date through a mutual friend, who had noticed their similarly strong faith. An unusual wave of nerves came over David upon meeting Sarah, and he knew this was something different. After the two fell for each other, their journey eventually led them on a trip to Cancun. The morning after arriving at their private paradise, Sarah strolled onto the terrace to find a table of champagne and orchids where David kneeled and asked her to be “mi amore” forever.
Sarah, born and raised in Switzerland, drew inspiration from the European countryside, so the ethereal estate Kestrel Park in Santa Ynez, was a dream venue. Dried yellow grasses amidst the sage green of the gardens blended with the blue sky and pink florals, creating an exquisite display of Swiss aesthetics. But it was the couple’s two canines who were the stars of the show. The fluffy white hounds appeared on save-the-date cards, invitations, welcome notes, a cutting board favor and cocktail napkins. At that point, it simply would have been a disappointment not to see the couple’s four-legged children make an appearance during the ceremony. The venue welcome sign displayed the heartfelt letter Sarah had once written to God about the man she wanted to marry. Instead of a first look, the two prayed together through the cracked bridal suite door. Sarah walked herself down the aisle, with a petite rose bouquet in hand, toward a teary-eyed David. Encircled by an arrangement of lush greenery and ivory florals, the lovers exchanged handwritten vows. With 12 dance lessons under their belts, Sarah and David shared an emotional and expertly executed first dance to a song by Nat King Cole and sealed the magical evening swaying to the music of Ray LaMontagne.
