by DIY Bride on Apr 21, 2015

Choosing a knock-out venue, as Rachel and Steve have done, is not only a great way to save some money (no need to decorate), but a great location sets the tone for the entire wedding. Their ceremony venue provided a gorgeous background (just look at that stained glass wall!) to exchange heartfelt vows while Pepperdine University gave the couple and their guests ample - and beautiful - space to mingle and dance the afternoon away.

About their engagement, Steve says:

One of our most memorable dates - about one year before we got engaged - took place at the ice skating rink in Santa
Monica. When I was trying to think of a great place to propose, that seemed like a good choice because it would be memorable but also significant to each of us. I was pretty nervous all day beforehand, of course, and had to carry the ring with me to school thatday and then to the rink with us that night. I tried to play it cool and act like I wasn't excited about the date, which, for a while atleast, led to Rachel not wanting to go ice skating at all because she thought I was being grumpy. When we got to the rink I had toact even weirder, because I didn't want Rachel to see or feel the big ring box that I had stashed in my breast pocket. At one pointRachel went to give me a hug from behind and I panicked and jerked away just before she put her hand on the box. When sheasked why I freaked out, I told her "I . . . thought you were someone else." Very smooth.

Once we were on the ice, it took me a few laps to work up the nerve and to find a good spot to propose. I ended up sliding us oveto one of the walls in the skating rink and stopping, at which point I got down on one knee. But, just as I was about to say something sweet, a group of five or six screaming pre-teens stopped right behind us. I improvised and acted like I was tying my shoe and then got up and skated away. A few laps later, I pulled us off to the side again and this time was actually able to make itall the way through the proposal!

Rachel & Steve
Romantic Malibu Wedding
Pepperdine University, California
Event Date: May, 2014

Photographer: Emma + Josh//Event Planner: Bright Blue Events//Dress Store: Davids Bridal//Caterer: Homegirl Cafe & Homeboy Bakery//Other Location: Pepperdine University// Submitted via Two Bright Lights