Striking up a conversation at a coffee shop in Washington DC’s Navy Yard district, graduate student Natalie Kratts was instantly drawn to the handsome Navy man she had just met. “He has such a fun, infectious personality,” Natalie confides of her beloved. Thomas Sauer was equally smitten with Natalie: the “cutest little thing” he ever saw. “I still think about how her eyes sparkled at me… They still do!” he shares. 

It took less than a week for Tom to realize that life was better with Natalie around, and he planned to pop the question as soon as his new business venture began to flourish. Eighteen months later, the pair attended a party filled with friends hosted by a mutual acquaintance. “Suddenly, the host of the party stood up on a chair and told the room that there was a special announcement. As soon as I heard him say, ‘Tom Sauer has something he’d like to ask,’ my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest,” describes Natalie. “Even though the room was full, in that instant, everyone else melted away, and it was like we were the only ones there. It was the easiest yes of my life.” 

Wedding planning was pretty seamless for the couple. Thankfully, the two had agreed to hire a wedding planner who guided them through the process. They easily decided on The Lodge at Torrey Pines – a luxurious hotel in La Jolla – as the venue for the big day due to its proximity to the San Diego airport since many of their loved ones would be flying into town, but more importantly, because the property is an iconic destination in itself. 

“My mom, sister, and mother-in-law were my biggest supporters,” reveals the bride, who envisioned a timeless aesthetic. “They gave lots of feedback on the design and details of the wedding but empowered me to make it my own.” 

For the groomsmen’s attire, Tom opted to get a little creative with the help of his friend, Bree Jacoby, who is a personal stylist. “Each guy received a custom suit as a thank-you gift for being in our wedding,” explains the groom of the special touch. “They looked sharp!” 

Bridesmaids were dazzling in their own right, wearing long satin gowns in a shade of slate blue. The bride confides that gaining a stepdaughter was a really special part of the wedding. “Catherine and I have been really close as long as we’ve known each other, and it was an obvious choice to have her as my bridesmaid and right by my side during the ceremony to see her dad get married,” reveals Natalie. 

“I wouldn’t trade my experience that day for anything.”

Catherine walked the family’s dog, Bosco, down the grassy aisle to the cheery song “You Are My Sunshine,” followed by the bride who was resplendent in a ball gown with a sweetheart neckline. Once the traditional Lutheran service led by the couple’s pastor from Huntington Beach concluded, loved ones shifted to cocktail hour. “I’ve never witnessed a more breathtaking sunset. In the midst of some gloomy June weather that week, it really felt like God was smiling down on us that day, with such indescribable colors in the sky,” illustrates the bride. 

Gorgeous florals from earlier in the day were repurposed into the reception décor, keeping the theme consistent throughout. Collections of roses, delphiniums, tulips, acacias, thistle, orlayas, peonies, and bouvardias were crafted into breathtaking floral arrangements that bedecked guest tables, as well as the grand structure that framed the alfresco celebration. Clear charger plates topped with navy blue silk napkins and personalized dinner menus sat atop crisp white linens, creating a beautiful contrast. 

The newlyweds and their guests danced and had fun all night long. “Our band did a phenomenal job,” says Tom. “They were able to match the energy of the space at every moment.” 

Through the support of their family, friends, and vendor teams, the bride expresses that their nuptials were the most magical, fairy-tale day of her entire life. “I wouldn’t trade my experience that day for anything,” she tells. Tom wholeheartedly agrees. “I am so proud of my girl for pulling off the greatest party either of us have ever attended,” he proudly shares.

This real wedding was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

To order a copy of the Fall 2023 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.

This couple's romantic, epicurean honeymoon to Croatia and Italy was also featured in the Winter 2024 issue of Inside Weddings!