About 7 years ago I photographed Alisa’s aunt’s wedding and since then she knew that she wanted Cabrera Photography to shoot her wedding one day. Brandon and Alisa had been friends since attending Escalon High School together in 2005. After Brandon graduated in 2006, he and Alisa kept in touch here and there. Brandon joined the Air Force and moved away and Alisa continued living in Escalon while working and attending college. While Brandon deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, they kept in touch through social media. While still on leave, Brandon had asked Alisa to have dinner with him once he returned from Afghanistan, with no intentions of dating; “just to catch up after so many years”. They both had no meanings of being in a relationship, but everything just clicked and the rest is history. From then on, Brandon and Alisa kept a long distance relationship while Brandon was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and deployed for his second tour to Afghanistan and Alisa continued living in their hometown of Escalon. In May of 2014, when Brandon returned home from deployment, Alisa moved to Arizona so they could finally be together. That July, Brandon told Alisa he wanted to spend a day with her in Sedona, towards the end of their hike, Alisa was standing at the edge of the mountain top looking at the breath taking view. In the meantime, Brandon was setting up his Go Pro to capture the proposal on video. When Alisa looked back, Brandon was on one knee. Alisa had a hunch something was going on, but was so speechless all she could do was hold her hand over her mouth! It was also very important for Alisa to get married at the church she grew up attending. They both wanted the reception to be in the country, preferably with a barn. Brandon’s mother searched for the couple when she came across Reece Farms in Farmington. Alisa wanted a rustic country-chic theme for the wedding and the venue fit perfectly. The only other thing they were sure of was that they wanted to donate to the EOD Wounded Warrior Foundation in lieu of favors. Brandon is an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bomb Tech for the United States Air Force, so it was important to give back to a foundation that was so close to his heart. Brandon’s only other request was to have a groom’s cake that was an IED (a bomb). Alisa’s envision of a rustic county-chic wedding. Friends and coworkers from all over the US came to witness and celebrate this special day with them. Thank you to Brandon’s mother for sharing their story with us, it was a true honor photographing such a beautiful event..jpg)
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Ceremony: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ripon, CA
Reception: Reece Farms, Farmington, CA
Photography: Cabrera Photography
Bridal Gown: Essence of Australia, Mira’s Bridal
Wedding Party dresses: Macys and Pencie & Ginger
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Florist: County Shelf Floral
Catering: Holt Family BBQ & Catering
Cake: Burgess Baking Company
Entertainment: George Gonzalez, Sounds in Motion
Hair Stylist: Jenna Reid
Make up Artists: Amber Cromwell & Jolena Machado
Specialty Rentals: Elegent Events 2000
Rings: Louis Martin Jewelers, NY; Valley Findings
Favors: Donation by the couple to the EOD Warrior Foundation on behalf of each guest
