09.24.16
celebrating
COLE & SKYLA #addingtotheannatis | 1
we’re going
UNPLUGGED We are honored that you are here today and present with us during the ceremony. Two amazing photographers are covering the ceremony. We invite you to be truly present at this special time and request that you refrain from photography during the entire ceremony. We promise that there will be plenty of images at your disposal, so please, turn off your cell phones and put down your cameras. The photographer will capture how this moment looks. We encourage you all to capture how it feels with your hearts, without the distraction of technology.
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venue
HISTORY The history of Cypress Sea Cove, Malibu, begins in the late 1930s as the Rindge Family opened up Malibu to new development. Chief lifeguard of Santa Monica Beach, George "Cap" Watkins was asked to use his rescue boat to survey the western areas of Malibu beachfront and in return, Cap was offered ownership of any two acres of the surveyed land. He chose Cypress Sea Cove. Back then, it was called Malibu Cove, and even though it was little more than a shack on the beach, by the mid-1940s, some of California's most influential of politicians and the stars of Hollywood's Golden Age had chosen Cap's little paradise as their favorite hangout spot. Johnny Weissmuller summoned his experience playing Tarzan and helped hang hammocks between palm trees. At parties, Flash Gordon himself, Buster Crabbe passed around summer rum drinks in five-gallon jugs! They may have even shared a sip with the then governor of California, Earl Warren. Pioneer surfers Pete Peterson and Tom Zahn found their way to the Cove too, stopping by frequently to relax and soak up some sun. Tom was rarely without his girlfriend, Norma, who was only a few years away from stardom under her stage name, Marilyn Monroe.
Cap was always sure to keep his sea pantry fully stocked with lobsters, abalone, and giant sea bass to properly host his friends, and he was known to extend that same hospitality to sea lions sunbathing on the rocks nearby. Many recall how Cap made a habit of feeding his pals a little dinner before going for a swim with them. After Cap passed on in the 1960s, Malibu Cove came under the loving care of the Mark Family, who still own it today. The Mark Family understands the responsibility of carrying on Cap's tradition of hospitality and the importance sharing this beautiful and historic gathering place with others. #addingtotheannatis | 3
Cole Annati Birthday: 12/12/1990 Birthplace: Phoenix, AZ Career: Real Estate Agent/Loan Originator Favorite movie: The World’s Fastest Indian Favorite musical group: Red Hot Chili Peppers Dream car: Vintage Rolls Royce Dream vacation: Whatever Skyla said.
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Skyla Wilson Birthday: 08/03/1992 Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut Career: Wedding Planner/ Florist Favorite movie: Father of the Bride Favorite musician: Christina Aguilera (obvi) Dream car: Whatever Cole wants! Dream vacation: Four Seasons Bora Bora
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newlywed
INTERVIEW What was your first impression of each other? Skyla: My first impression was how handsome he is, and I instantly fell in love with his pretty eyes! I knew I would be a sucker for him right away, but I never thought it would last! Cole: When I first saw her, I thought she was pretty, and I was curious why I did not know who she was. Talking to her, I realized she actually had some sort of vision for what she wanted in life, and that was something I was not used to hearing at our age, and I really liked that.
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Who initiated the first kiss? Skyla: Our first kiss is hotly debated in our house. He swears that he never made the first move, and I swear that I didn’t either! All I remember is that we were it was on the balcony of my college condo, and I had no idea what to say to him after we kissed. Cole: Her, duh. Who was the first to say I love you? Skyla: Cole was the first person to say “I love you.” He told me when I was visiting him in New Mexico
on our one month anniversary. I’ll never forget what he said and how he said it. We were about to go to sleep, and he turned and looked at me and told me, “I love you, and I don’t just love you for now. I love you for everything you have been and everything you will be.” He went on to tell me that he didn’t just love me because he thought I was pretty, but he loved me for so many other reasons and went on to tell me all those precious reasons. Cole: Me. What’s the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned about each other since you’ve been together? Skyla: One of my favorite things I noticed about him when we started dating (and what I still fall for to this day) is his giggle. Anybody that is close to Cole knows exactly the laugh I am talking about. Much to his chagrin, I always tickle him to try to get it out of him! Cole: That she has the ability to love me more than I ever knew possible. I had no idea that she would help me grow into the person that I am today, and that continues to surprise me every day. What is one of your favorite memories together? Skyla: One of my favorite memories together was the memory of our very first vacation alone together. We went on our six month anniversary and stayed in Laguna Beach. Cole was visiting me in Phoenix, and while he was sleeping, I packed his bags. I woke him up, blindfolded him, and we went to the airport. I didn’t tell him where I was taking him until we checked in. He thought I was sending him home early! Cole: We have made and will continue to make trips to California. In the moment of each trip, I feel like I am taking part in the best vacation of my life. I know that each time we go, I will continue to get that feeling. So, if I had to narrow it down, the last time we were in California would be my favorite so far. What do you love most about each other? Skyla: There are honestly too many things to count, but his dedication to making me happy is what lets me know that we will have a long and happy marriage. I know he will go to the ends of the Earth to make me happy.
Cole: I love that no matter what happens, she constantly brings out the absolute best in me. As selfish as that is, the thing I love the most about her is how she makes me the best person I can be. When did you know you’d met the one? Skyla: I definitely knew he was the one when he told me he loved me for the very first time. I had a strong feeling it was something very different from the very first time I came to visit him in New Mexico. He had a very special gift waiting in his room for me. If you know me well, you know that I hate traveling and being far away from home. He knew that I was nervous, and he bought me a ton of thoughtful gifts to make me feel at home. He bought me a stuffed animal to snuggle with, some of my favorite foods, my own towels in my favorite color, funny movies, and Diet Cokes already chilling in the fridge! There were a lot more gifts that I am sure I am missing, but the fact that he went so out of his way to make me feel at home was so special. Cole: May 21, 2013. Same night I knew I loved her. What’s next for you two? Skyla: Right after we get married, we will be going on a mini-moon to my favorite hotel, the Hotel Del on Coronado. Then, we will come home and get back to work! My company is booked out until December, which is when we will likely begin looking at taking our honeymoon. As far as babies, we are planning on them! But we are looking at having them much further down the road. I want to spend some time with my handsome husband before we begin chasing kids around! Cole: Constant mini vacations are how we balance such crazy work schedules. I predict we will have several businesses we start and grow ahead of us. Our current companies will forever evolve as we grow them. I am ready for babies today, but I guess I can wait a few more years. A move is sure to come soon and then a second home to follow in California.
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the story of
HOW THEY MET Cole asked his friend D.J. to ask his girlfriend (at the time) to find him a cute girl. Meanwhile, D.J.’s girlfriend, who was friends with Skyla, started casually talking up Cole to her. She suggested an ever-so-romantic meeting during fourth period in the middle of the concourse while we were all slacking off and all ditched our classes as teacher’s aides. Needless to say, Skyla was drawn in by his Cole’s motorcycle and pretty eyelashes (still is!). and Cole thought Skyla was cute and was confused as to why he hadn’t already met her. Cole won Skyla over by being sweet and helping her mom around the house (changing light bulbs and other chores). and Skyla won Cole over because she was different, and he knew nothing about her. In his words, “She had a plan for herself outside next week’s wardrobe selections...which was rare in high school.” Skyla and Cole began to casually date for a few months, and Skyla asked him to their high school’s Winter Ball. Neither Skyla nor Cole can remember many details of that night. Clearly, neither one made a big impression on each other! They parted ways and didn’t reconnect until years later, after Skyla had moved to Arizona to pursue business school. Cole periodically kept in touch with Skyla via text and Facebook checking in on her and her family. She was back in New Mexico on Winter Break visiting her best friend (and Maid of Honor!), Sarah. After dodging Cole’s calls and messages the whole trip, he finally made her feel guilty enough to meet up the night before she was going to leave. It was about 10:00pm and nothing was open in Albuquerque, except for the local IHOP, where Cole bought Skyla a Diet Coke. He then walked her to her hotel room and bid her goodnight (with no kiss...much to Skyla’s dismay). After that, he pursued her heavily, and she eventually caved to his persistence. She never regretted it a day in her life.
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the proposal
HER VERSION One day, I got a phone call from a bride who was interested in my services. She requested that I come to her walk-through at a venue she loved. This is a very normal request from a potential bride to a wedding planner, so I scheduled a meeting with her. I felt it was odd that the ONLY date she was available was about a month in advance. I always try to schedule a meeting with my brides the week they call. After asking her several times for a closer date, she insisted this was her only available date. Cole had previously gotten very ill, and we didn’t get much sleep for the few nights before. So, I threw my hair up in a bun and tried to find the most comfortable outfit that could pass as professional at 8:00am. When I got to the venue, there were only a few cars in the parking lot, none of which I recognized. This was very normal for a wedding venue during the off-season. So, I went in and spoke with the owner, and he told me my couple was outside. I introduced myself to a young, engaged couple, and I began to give them a tour of the venue. I was just starting out in my career and had never been to this venue before. But, I put on my brave face and acted like I had been there a million times! I started to walk into the ballroom when the bride and groom stopped me and told me “Actually, your real 9:00am
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appointment is here,” and they pointed to a white gazebo in a garden surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful roses. Cole and I had plans to meet up for brunch after this meeting, so when I saw him there, I was VERY confused! I looked at him like “Babe! Go home! You’re harshing my professional vibes!” Then, he started to tear up. So, I dropped my bag and ran to him. He grabbed my hands and started telling me how much he loved me, and before I knew it, he was down on one knee. We had talked about engagement and rings before and seriously considered non-diamond options or really modest options. So, when he opened the ring box, all that could come out of my mouth was “Oh my god! It’s huge!” As it turned out, the bride and groom were fake and were actually professional photographers and videographers! While all this was going on, my groom was in the corner snapping away and Cole was wearing a hidden lapel microphone! I seriously felt like I could vomit, pass out, cry, and laugh all at the same time. After an impromptu photo session, he surprised me with a small engagement party at my sister’s house (just as I would have wanted it), and he made sure my best friend Sarah flew in from Texas. It was everything I could have ever asked for.
the proposal
HIS VERSION To execute a master plan that not only surprises a guru in the industry, but someone so anxious (I hoped) for a proposal to happen is a task that is not for the faint of heart or someone with a limited imagination. In order to surprise the ever deserving love of my life, I knew that a couple of key things would need to align perfectly. While conjuring up my master plan, the logistics had changed several times. Skyla was way too savvy for me to trick in any traditional way. What do you do when you want to set up someone with the perfect surprise and overwhelming feeling of love, you ask? …… Well, the answer is quite simple...you con her. I set her up into thinking that she is on an exclusive meeting with a new potential client that was just recently engaged and excited herself. Shift the focus and attention onto a pawn. I say this, because it is the only way to know for sure that she will not only look good (to impress a potential client), but she will be so out of the moment that you will no doubt surprise her. I think most of you reading this are getting the picture, but if not, here it is in
black and white. I hired someone to call Skyla Brooke Weddings and Events and request a meeting at a venue walkthrough with Skyla and pose as the “new potential clients.” (Take note: You also somehow film this phone conversation, while she is so professionally in bed setting up the appointment, and at the same time have her sister filming the same conversation on the other end of the line!). Now, the plan is set, date is set, and all you have to do is sneak out of the house around 6:00am to make sure everything is in order. Blame it on work, and leave mad. That sure helped the surprise factor in the end for me. My super secret special icing on the cake was that the “new potential clients” were actually a videographer and photographer that ended up capturing the whole surprise. Besides being so caught up in the moment and talking in a regrettable baby voice, the plan worked out perfectly. Her story may be different, but let’s get real - who would you trust, Me or Her?!
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program design by Unlike Juliet photography by Vienna Glenn Photography 12 | Cole & Skyla