OUR DREAM WEDDING
Young, in love, nearing graduation, applying to graduate school and planning a wedding. This was Marie Ann Tan Cuevas’ life in the months leading
up to her beautiful fourth of July California set wedding
to Charles Thomas Rawlings Heffern, son of Patricia and
Christopher (Kit) E. Heffern. The daughter of Emecita T.
Cramer and Vicente P. Cuevas III recalls these months as be-
ing, “absolutely crazy” but also enjoyable because as she says,
“there has always been somewhat of a party planner inside
of me,” and with the help of Bob Gail of Bob Gail Events
she planned quite the party. The couple wed and celebrated
their “I do’s” at the Calamigos Equestrian Center in Bur-
bank California where the bride’s Stepfather Rene Arambulo
walked her down the aisle. The couple chose the location
because despite the bride’s original vision of wedding in a
grand church, she found that, “whenever we went to what I
thought I would like, it felt like it was someone else’s dream
wedding, not mine and Charles’.” All of that changed when
the couple visited Calamigos Equestrian Center however,
and the bride realized that the location perfectly balanced
their need for space to accommodate their large guest list
but also would provide, “an intimate personal feel,” that
reflected the newlywed’s romantic sensibilities. Celebrating
what made their relationship special was paramount for the
bride who explains her love for Charles saying, “the longer
I am with him, the more I
learn about how I am and
who I want to be. He brings
out the most carefree parts of
me.” Lighthearted elements
were seen throughout the day
and made it uniquely theirs.
Whether it was the teddy
bear grooms cake, which
mother of the groom Patri-
cia Heffern explained was a
result of her son’s childhood
nickname Charlie-Bear and
his proposal, which entailed
hiding a ring in a teddy bear
for his bride, or the couple’s personalized vows they wrote for
one another, the wedding truly bespoke the young couple’s
unique spirit and devotion. The couple departed their wed-
ding in a similarly befitting fashion with a horse drawn
carriage ride. The couple then departed on a two month
long honeymoon celebration that commenced with a second
reception in the Philippines, attended by both families
and hosted by the bride’s father. The bride remembers this
celebration as being very special because, “it was a chance for
both of our families to celebrate our union together.”
