Natalie & Mark at Rio Hondo

April 26, 2025 · Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings, Downey

A Rio Hondo Wedding in Downey

Natalie and Mark first knew there was something more between them when they realized they both loved watching the *NSYNC No Strings Attached Tour. Years later, *NSYNC is still the foundation of their love, along with their dog, trips together, new restaurants and their weird inside jokes. They married on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings in Downey, after getting ready at the DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk. It was a morning wedding in dusty blue, gray and soft peach florals: a first look with private vows, a 10:15 ceremony with a sand ceremony, sunny portraits on the golf course, a sparkler grand entrance and a party until 4 PM. Here is their Rio Hondo wedding, photographed by One and Only Production.

The Details

Natalie and Mark's invitation suite came with dusty blue envelopes, soft blue hexagon ring boxes and a card lettered in gold. Black matchbooks printed with their names were one of the favors, styled with orange ranunculus and pink blooms that matched Natalie's bouquet.

Natalie and Mark's wedding invitation suite styled with dusty blue envelopes, a perfume bottle and peach and pink blooms

Two hexagon ring boxes in soft blue beside the invitation and orange ranunculus

The wedding rings resting on a card lettered "Hers" in gold script

The engagement ring in a blue velvet box tucked into peach and white flowers

A perfume bottle styled among blue hydrangea, orange ranunculus and greenery

Black matchbook favors printed with Mark and Natalie's names, set between pink and orange flowers

Natalie's bridal bouquet of peach, pink and blush blooms with long green stems, photographed by One and Only Production

Natalie Gets Ready at the DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk

The morning started early with matching pajamas and a lot of cheering from the bridesmaids. Natalie's hair and makeup were done in long soft curls, and once at Rio Hondo her bridesmaids in dusty blue helped her into her shoes in the bridal suite.

Natalie and her bridesmaids in matching pajamas cheering on a sofa at the DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk

Natalie in a white robe smiling by the window in her hotel room

Natalie's hands showing her engagement ring and soft white manicure

Natalie in her robe with her hair done in long soft curls, looking toward the window light

A bridesmaid in dusty blue helping Natalie into her wedding shoes in the bridal suite

Natalie in her gown with her bridesmaids in dusty blue dresses in the bridal suite at Rio Hondo, photographed by One and Only Production

Mark Gets Ready

Mark and his groomsmen got ready at the same hotel, with Mark in a blue suit and the guys in gray. The groomsmen opened their gifts together and had plenty to say about them.

Mark tying his tie in a black and white portrait at the hotel

A groomsman holding up Mark's blue suit jacket in the hotel room

Mark in his blue suit adjusting his boutonniere

Mark in blue with his groomsmen in gray suits laughing together in the hotel room

Mark's groomsmen opening their gifts from kraft paper bags

Two groomsmen checking out their gifts, photographed by One and Only Production

First Look and Private Vows at Rio Hondo

Mark waited at the floral arch with his back turned until Natalie tapped him on the shoulder. Then they stepped out to the patio and read private vows to each other, just the two of them, before any guests arrived.

Mark waiting with his back turned at the floral arch before the first look at Rio Hondo

Natalie walking in for the first look holding her bouquet

Natalie tapping Mark on the shoulder at the floral arch for their first look

Natalie smiling at Mark as he turns around for the first time

Natalie and Mark face to face during the first look

Natalie reading her private vows to Mark on the patio

Natalie's emotional smile as Mark reads his vows to her

Natalie and Mark hugging on the patio after exchanging private vows

Natalie and Mark sharing a quiet moment with their vow cards in hand, photographed by One and Only Production

Natalie, Mark and the Wedding Party

Natalie took a few portraits among the trees on the Rio Hondo grounds while Mark got his own by the windows and on the terrace above the golf course. Then the whole wedding party, in dusty blue and gray, came together at the ceremony arch.

Natalie posing with her hand at her chin among the trees at Rio Hondo

Natalie in her gown with a long train on the lawn at Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings

Natalie with her bridesmaids in dusty blue holding pastel bouquets under the trees

Natalie smiling over her bouquet with the bridesmaids' flowers around her

A close up of Natalie's pastel bouquet with pink peonies and peach roses

Mark in his blue suit standing by a tall window inside the venue

Mark with a groomsman in a gray suit, both smiling for the camera

Mark buttoning his jacket on the terrace overlooking the golf course

Natalie laughing with her bridesmaids in front of the floral ceremony arch

The full wedding party in dusty blue and gray around Natalie and Mark at the arch

Mark and his groomsmen in a relaxed group pose at the ceremony arch, photographed by One and Only Production

The Ceremony at Rio Hondo

The ceremony was set in front of a white draped arch topped with peach and pink flowers, with tall windows looking out to the trees. Officiant Joe Rivera led the ceremony at 10:15 in the morning, Natalie and Mark exchanged rings, and they poured their sand together to "I See the Light" from Tangled.

The entrance of Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings in Downey with palm trees and tall pines

A fountain in front of the clubhouse at Rio Hondo

The white draped ceremony arch topped with peach and pink flowers in front of tall windows

A low arrangement of peach roses and pink blooms at the end of the aisle

Mark walking down the petal lined aisle in his blue suit

A family member hugging Mark at the arch as Natalie arrives at the ceremony

A wide view of the ceremony with guests watching Natalie and Mark under the floral arch

Natalie and Mark exchanging rings as officiant Joe Rivera holds the microphone

Pouring layers of sand into a glass vessel during the sand ceremony

Natalie and Mark pouring their sand together at the ceremony table

Natalie and Mark embracing under the arch as husband and wife

The ceremony room at Rio Hondo filled with guests and views of the trees through the windows, photographed by One and Only Production

Cocktail Hour

A string trio played through the morning while guests found Natalie and Mark for hugs and photos. Drinks were flowing at the bar before the party moved into the ballroom.

The string trio playing violin, cello and viola for guests

A violinist from the string trio playing during the morning celebration

Mark being congratulated with a hug by two guests

Natalie and Mark posing with friends inside the venue

Natalie and Mark with friends under the wooden pergola outside

A groomsman giving Mark and Natalie a big hug on the lawn

Guests ordering drinks at the bar during cocktail hour, photographed by One and Only Production

Portraits on the Golf Course

The sun came out for portraits on the lawns of Rio Hondo Golf Club, and Mark was ready to jump for the camera. Later, while guests enjoyed their meal, Natalie and Mark slipped away to a stone wall overlooking the fairway.

Mark jumping high behind Natalie on the lawn at Rio Hondo Golf Club

Natalie and Mark cheek to cheek with her pastel bouquet

A close up of Natalie's bouquet held between Natalie and Mark

Natalie and Mark looking at each other in the shade of the trees

Natalie and Mark kissing on the lawn with her bouquet at her side

Natalie twirling her gown while holding Mark's hand

Natalie and Mark laughing together on a stone wall overlooking the golf course

Mark gazing at Natalie as they sit on the wall above the fairway

Mark kissing Natalie's cheek with the Rio Hondo golf course behind them

Natalie and Mark relaxing on the stone wall in the sunshine, photographed by One and Only Production

Reception in the Ballroom at Rio Hondo

The ballroom was set with round tables, white linens and gold chairs, with the sweetheart table under a draped floral arch. Guests found their seats from a welcome chart and took home candle and matchbook favors.

The ballroom at Rio Hondo set with round tables, gold chairs and white linens

A reception table with a low floral centerpiece and gold chiavari chairs

The sweetheart table with a peach and pink floral arrangement

The sweetheart table under a white draped arch with flowers

Gold lidded candle favors with a black matchbook reading Mark and Natalie

A basket of black matchbook favors for guests

The welcome seating chart for Mark and Natalie dated 04.26.25

Drinks, photo booth strips and bouquets on a table during the reception

A bridesmaid's bouquet resting by a matchbook favor and a cocktail, photographed by One and Only Production

Grand Entrance and First Dance

The wedding party danced in to "Now That I Found You" by Carly Rae Jepsen, and Natalie and Mark followed to "Cut to the Feeling" between cold sparklers. Their first dance was to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli.

A groomsman and bridesmaid bursting through the doors for the grand entrance

A wedding party pair dancing into the ballroom

A groomsman and bridesmaid showing off their moves at the entrance

Natalie and Mark kissing between cold sparkler fountains at their grand entrance

Natalie and Mark throwing their arms up between the sparklers

Natalie and Mark's first dance in front of the sweetheart table

Mark spinning Natalie across the ballroom floor during their first dance

Natalie and Mark dancing as guests watch from their tables, photographed by One and Only Production

Parent Dances

Mark danced with his mom to "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion and finished with a long hug. Natalie and her dad went the other way completely with "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles.

Mark dancing with his mom in a lavender dress

Mark and his mom dancing beside the sweetheart table

Mark and his mom smiling during their dance

Mark hugging his mom at the end of their dance

Natalie dancing with her dad, arms in the air to Twist and Shout

Natalie and her dad dancing across the ballroom, photographed by One and Only Production

Speeches and the Find It Game

Jay gave a speech that had Natalie and Mark laughing at the sweetheart table. Then the Find It game sent guests running across the ballroom to bring items to the front.

Mark laughing at the sweetheart table during the speeches

A groomsman giving a speech with notes in hand

Natalie and Mark listening from the sweetheart table under the floral arch

A groomsman speaking into the microphone as Natalie and Mark laugh

Guests at their table enjoying the speeches

Guests laughing in their seats during the Find It game

Guests rushing to the front holding up items for the Find It game

Guests running across the ballroom during the Find It game

Guests cheering during the Find It game, photographed by One and Only Production

Cake Cutting and Bouquet Toss

The three tier white cake was finished with pastel sugar flowers, and Natalie and Mark cut it together by the windows. Natalie then tossed her bouquet to a line of eager guests.

The three tier white wedding cake with pastel sugar flowers by the window

A close up of the textured cake with orange, pink and blue flowers

Natalie and Mark cutting the cake together

Natalie and Mark laughing as they cut their wedding cake

Natalie tossing her bouquet over her shoulder in the ballroom

Natalie getting ready for the bouquet toss with guests lined up behind her

Guests reaching for the bouquet in midair

A guest's excited reaction after catching the bouquet

Natalie hugging the guest who caught her bouquet, photographed by One and Only Production

The Dance Floor

After that, the dance floor at Rio Hondo stayed full. Natalie and Mark wanted a big party with all their friends and family, and that is exactly what they got.

Guests dancing and filming on their phones during open dance

Natalie dancing with guests on a full dance floor

A bridesmaid blowing a kiss to the camera on the dance floor

Natalie and Mark dancing in the middle of the crowd

Guests singing along together on the dance floor

Natalie dancing with a guest in front of the sweetheart table

Natalie twirling in her gown on the ballroom dance floor

Mark dancing with a guest at the end of the party, photographed by One and Only Production

Planning a Rio Hondo Wedding?

Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings sits on the Rio Hondo Golf Course in Downey, with an elevated ceremony lawn overlooking green hills, a ballroom with tall windows full of soft natural light, a waterfall patio and tree lined lawns along the fairways for portraits. One and Only Production is a photo and video team based in West Covina, serving Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. We would love to hear your story. Take a look at our wedding portfolio, then check your date with us.

Wedding Vendors

Venue: Rio Hondo by Wedgewood Weddings @wedgewood.riohondo
Getting Ready: DoubleTree by Hilton Norwalk
Makeup and Hair: Emily Kim @emilykimmakeup
Makeup and Brows: Jenny Ung @jennyungbeautyandbrows
Florals: Little Blue Hummingbird
Officiant: Joe Rivera @joe_rivera_jr
Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero from Bella Wedding Bridal @bellaweddingbridal
Photo Booth: Wedgewood Weddings
Photo and Video: One and Only Production @oneandonlyproduction