U.S. Army 1st Lt. Richard Javier and his fiancée, Hilary Pasmore, had to live with a few inconveniences after he proposed a year ago.

Javier is stationed in Iraq and communication with his betrothed was sparse, not exactly the ideal situation for planning a wedding.

But Ventura event producer Rod Houck, local radio station Live 105.5 FM and a group of Ventura wedding professionals came to the rescue.

Before more than 100 guests, the area couple's fairy-tale nuptials took place Sunday at the Santa Barbara Mission, followed by a lavish reception at Eucalyptus Lane in Ventura.

Most every beautiful detail from the wedding cake to the floral arrangements was provided at no cost to this young soldier --a 23-year-old graduate of the University of San Francisco, with a degree in accounting and his bride.

"I could not have asked for a better dream come true," said Hilary, 21, who is studying to be an Army nurse through an ROTC program. When she graduates she will be a second lieutenant.

What was their hurry? Hilary explained that in order to be stationed with her husband after she graduates, she had to get married before her last two semesters of nursing school. And the ceremony had to coincide with her future husband's scheduled leave this month.

"I didn't know how I was going to pay for this wedding," she said. Hilary lost both parents when she was young and was raised by relatives in Santa Barbara.

Fate intervened.

At the same time Hilary was pondering her wedding expenses, Houck was busy with an idea of his own, centering on the new Eucalyptus Lane event site off Victoria Avenue south of the 101 Freeway in Ventura.


"I thought that it would be a blast as we debuted a new venue in the Ventura County area to do some kind of creative giveaway," Houck said. "I approached Miles Sexton at radio station 105.5 and he was thrilled to do it.

"Then I went to all my friends in the wedding business community and asked them to join me in making it happen."
Hilary, who shares her Catholic faith with Richard, said that after Javier proposed, she prayed for a way to finance her wedding, then happened to hear the dream wedding contest announcement on Live 105.5, which began publicizing it last June.

Hilary was selected from among about 300 entrants, because of the poignant tale she told in her 105-word essay. She related how he proposed to her at a favorite restaurant, the day after he received orders to deploy to Iraq.

"When Hilary and Richard won, I was really happy because they seemed so deserving and appreciative of such a great gift," Houck said.


The contest idea was a natural fit for Houck, who is well known in Ventura fundraising circles. His new venture, Rod Houck Presents, has exclusive booking rights for Eucalyptus Lane, a private, tree-lined estate with a beautiful garden and space for both outdoor and indoor events.

Houck was joined in the Javier-Pasmore nuptials by Jamie Lunsford Stewart of Ventura, who donated the wedding coordination; Lori Moll of the Savory Café and Bakery in Ventura, who donated a wedding cake and food for the bridal shower; Shawn Willms of Absolute Entertainment, who donated disc jockey services; Ventura Rentals, which donated linens and table service; Jason Collis of Jonathan's at Peirano's in Ventura, which donated the reception dinner with full service for 105; SPA by Diane Loring in Ventura, which provided hair and makeup for the bride and her party; Sophia Lane of Winslow Lane Weddings, which donated photography; and Jocelyn Kellogg of A Beautiful Day Productions, which provided all the floral arrangements.

The honeymoon, four days and three nights at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, plus airfare, was provided by 105.5 FM.

"Every one of the crew is just amazing," Hilary Javier said of this group of wedding professionals. "Each one put a little bit of themselves into this day."

Over 200 Rubicon Theatre Company patrons, cast and crew ate, drank & danced late into the evening on Saturday, October 7th at the lovely Eucalyptus Lane. Luscious appetizers, wine, gourmet cheeses and homemade desserts were the ticket for the after-show soiree. Seen on the dance floor was, George Ball and Helen Yunker & cast members Joseph Fuqua with a hot brunette. Even Rod was spotted dancing away with none other than Karyl Lynn Burns, Rosalee Measures and his college Spanish professor the newly married, Mari Carmen O’Hara. O what a night!

On September 16th Jamie Lundsford and Guy Stewart tied the knot at picturesque Eucalyptus Lane in Ventura.

After a lovely garden ceremony 175 guests were treated to homemade lasagana, heirloom tomatoes, garden salads and famous garlic bread extraordinaire from local landmark 'Ferraros Italian Restaurant'.

As the bride and groom entered the gorgeous hall to greet guests, they were welcomed with a standing ovation and cheers from an impressive crowd of locals. They immediately cut the cake framed against a giant back drop of chocolate covered taffeta draped throughout the entryway. The chandiliers and candles created a gorgeous warm glow.

Smiles throughout and the toasting and cheering continued late into the night. They danced to songs from the 80s and 90s and even had a sing along. What a group of revelers!

After the blissful couple set out on their honeymoon, the party continued late into the night...