Wedding Memories of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

When Lauren and Dave decided to get married, they searched for the perfect wedding venue and found it at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa.  Because they had 85 family and friends to invite, they selected South Coast because: 

The beautiful scenery was unmatched in any other venue that we had visited for both the ceremony and reception.

Together, they selected to hold their special day at the property’s Rose Arbor for the ceremony and Courtyard for the reception. 

Tell us a little bit about:

1.  Set Up -South Coast was helpful in setting up all the tables with tablecloths in our wedding color for the reception, and all the tables we needed for the unity candle, communion, cake and gifts! They even provided the wine and bread for communion. Our family came the day of to put up some special touches that we had added to what was already set up. 

2. Your Colors- We chose a tiffany blue and marigold. I decided to have the bridesmaids wear different shades of marigold and each one of them in a different dress to show off their unique personalities. The blue especially came through in the tablecloths and in my bouquet. 

3. The Food- We selected the steak and chipotle chicken with asparagus and potatoes for the entree. Everyone was telling us how delicious it was.

4. The Wine -We served the South Coast Syrah to all of our guest and had an open bar with white wine and cocktails. 

5. Any miscellaneous items that helped make your day complete: For our centerpieces we cut the bottoms off wine bottles, tied rope around them, and placed candles inside. We had three wine bottles per table; it turned out beautifully and added a lot of light during the reception.

      Instead of having guests sign a guest book, we had three empty bottles that people signed. We also had the guests write notes and place them inside of the bottles for us to open on our five year wedding anniversary. 

Bride and Groom’s Names: Lauren Morris and David Palomares

Date and Place where you met: Tulsa Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University in January 2010

Wedding Date: October 7th, 2011

Any Special Stories on the Proposal to share:  I had just returned from a two week mission trip to Cambodia and was spending some time with my family in Temecula for a few days. Dave told me that we wouldn’t be getting engaged or married anytime soon because he had to save for a ring. 

Tricky, tricky. Just a few days later I woke up and gave him a call (like always). He told me that I should walk downstairs. I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs and he was standing in my living room! It felt surreal because just moments before I believed he was still in Orlando! We spent the day together at the beach, riding the ferris wheel, and taking a walk on the pier. The whole day I was telling myself that he just wanted to surprise me and we weren’t getting engaged to ensure I wouldn’t be disappointed if we didn’t.

As the evening was approaching and the sun was starting to set Dave drove me to a place that we had found a few months before. It was a cove where you can walk out onto the rocks and watch the sun set as the waves crashed up against them. As we stood there he began to tell me how much he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.  

That’s when he got down on one knee. After that point I honestly have no clue what he said for the next few minutes. My heart was racing and all I could say was “No way” ha. Before he could get  the full “Will you marry me” out of his mouth I had already screamed yes and jumped into his arms.

Couples Hometown(s):  Lauren-Tulsa, Oklahoma Dave-Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Family members who shared your special date and any special notes:     

From the bride’s side: Mom-Linda French Dad-Joe Morris Stepmom- Colleen Morris Stepdad-Bill French The Grunewald Family who flew all the way from Germany to be a part of the event, and Grandparents-Bob and Shirley Lamb who just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. 

From the Groom’s side: Dad-Alex Palomares Mom-Julie Palomares Sister-Amelia Haley Brother-in-law- Jordan Haley (the Haleys flew all the way from Australia!) Sister-Amanda Palomares, Aunt-Jill Bonnett, Uncle-Anthony Bonnett, Aunt-Jill Staus, Cousin-Nick Deridder, Grandmother- Launa Stayer-Maloney and Grandfather-Paul Maloney

Professions:    

Dave: Financial Consultant 

Lauren: Humanitarian Project Coordinator

Favorite South Coast wines when entertaining:The Syrah is definitely our favorite and is why we decided to serve it to our guests.  

Favorite food and wine pairings when entertaining: Steak served MR and a good Cabernet or Syrah.

Most memorable meal ever:  Right after Dave proposed he took me to a nice little italian restaurant in Newport and surprised me  by having my Dad and Stepmom waiting for us there. We talked all about the proposal and how excited we were to start our new life together. Little did we know then that we would be getting married in that same state. 

Dream Dinner Companions:      Our dear friends Stephen and Anna Zarlengo. Anna and Lauren have been friends since we were 9 years old and she sang in the wedding during communion. Stephen was Dave’s roommate in college and traveling companion through South America for an entire summer; he was also the best man in the wedding. Stephen and Anna both knew us separately for many years before getting married but Dave and I only met two years ago!

Hobbies:  Traveling, tennis, running, playing games together

Couple’s Favorite Quote:  No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. -C.S. Lewis

Any comments on South Coast Winery Coordinators or Staff:   They were very helpful and knowledgeable about the property. This helped me have peace of mind that the day would be everything I dreamed for it to be.