An Intimate Wedding at the Bride's Family Home in Massachusetts

vanessa steven wedding couple hands in air — Valorie Darling Photography

During the summer of 2013, Steven Grayhm was traveling across the country as a keynote speaker for a national fundraising tour to raise awareness about a feature film on veterans issues. "We had been on the road for several rigorous months on a grueling schedule, often driving through the night to get from city to city and operating on little to no sleep. It had been raining for a week straight during my speaking engagements in New England. When my colleague and I pulled into the parking lot of a venue in rural Massachusetts, the skies literally opened up as this beautiful young woman [Vanessa Tierney] walked across the lot to greet us," says Steven. "As she approached, out of ear shot and completely sanguine, I whispered to my colleague, 'My God. I'm going to marry this girl.' Four years later, I did."

About three years after they began dating, Steven (a writer, actor, and director) planned to propose to Vanessa (a photographer) on a picturesque beach in Malibu. He recruited a friend to dress incognito, hide behind rocks along the shore, and take inconspicuous photos. As he waited for the right moment to propose, a woman approached Steven, saying a "weird guy" was taking photos of him from behind the rocks. Steven quickly flashed the ring box and explained his plans. Shortly after, the proposal was almost spoiled again when two angry Chihuahuas started biting the photographer friend's ankles. Knowing he had to act quickly before another unfortunate event unfolded, Steven finally took a knee in the surf. "I pulled out the ring, and as if time stood still, a gentle calm came over me. And she said yes!" he says.

On August 26, 2017, Vanessa and Steven traveled from their hometown of Los Angeles to Erving, Massachusetts. They got married at Vanessa's parents' house, which gave them flexibility to plan their dream wedding with no restrictions. Sixty-six guests enjoyed a communal dinner, naturally organic decorations, and sentimental touches.