. . . . . Planning the wedding began before the couple even made it back home.
\n\u201cWe were in the Philadelphia airport,\u201d Renovales recalled. \u201cI went to the bar for a drink, and Lindsey comes back from the gift shop with eight bridal magazines to read on the flight home.\u201d
\nThe year the couple gave themselves to plan their wedding was exactly what they needed to get the venues they wanted \u2013 Johnson’s family church for the ceremony, and Anthology supper club in downtown San Diego for the reception. . . . . Having attended \u201ctons and tons\u201d of weddings, Johnson and Renovales wanted to break from the traditional in many ways, including a departure from a sit-down meal or buffet. Instead, they opted for trays of passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour and, for dinner, food stations featuring risotto, seafood and carved meats that guests could choose from, then take to a cocktail lounge-like area that fostered easy mingling.
\nEven the de rigueur tiered cake was eschewed in favor of an ice sculpture in the shape of a cake. It fit in with the couple’s notions of not wasting anything because when it melted, the water returned to nature.
\n\u201cI’m a perfectionist. No cake could be decorated perfect enough,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI couldn’t find a design I really liked. I went through tons of magazines. This was an easy way out.\u201d . . . . .\u201cI guess we are looking forward to our grand exit and being able to have that sense that as we step out of this venue, we will be literally walking into a new chapter of our lives.\u201d <\/p>\n