Michael and Khristine Tabajonda

-The Gardens at Monji, Bakersfield

Michael and Khristine tried multiple times to get married THROUGHOUT the pandemic, third time's a charm though ;).

The Gardens at Monji are a favorite destination for bakersfield lovebirds. There are plenty of micro-climates scattered throughout the property for different photo looks. The Famed half-Circle is a wedding MUST-HAVE.

Wedding Planner - Simply Chic Events
Floral Arrangements - Laurel's Cottage De Bloem
Hair - Rhoda Reyes
Videographer - AJ Productions

The Gardens at Monji Wedding Photographer, Bakersfield, California
Khristine and Mike's Wedding Story

Khristine & Mike Tabajonda at The Gardens at Monji, Bakersfield

Some couples have a smooth road to the altar. Khristine and Mike were not those people — and honestly, that makes their wedding day even better. After trying to get married multiple times throughout the pandemic and getting pushed back again and again, they finally made it. And when the day came, it was clear that every delay had only added to how ready they were to celebrate.

The Gardens at Monji in Bakersfield is one of those venues that keeps giving you new things to discover. Tucked-away garden nooks, desert plants and cacti that photograph beautifully, a dragon statue around one corner, a half-circle arch that is absolutely one of the most iconic portrait spots in Kern County — the property has a dozen different moods and they all work. It’s a favorite for Bakersfield couples, and after shooting there, it’s easy to see why.

Getting Ready

The bridal suite had a lot going on — in the best possible way. Khristine’s hair was in Rhoda Reyes’ capable hands, her vows were sitting on the cushioned bench beside her shoes, and their daughter was right there in the middle of everything, playing and getting her own hair done and generally being the most charming presence in the room. Khristine’s mom zipped up her dress, and Khristine looked back at her over her shoulder in one of those quiet, full-of-meaning looks that you don’t stage.

Meanwhile across the property, Mike and his groomsmen were doing what groomsmen do — shots, cigars, a vest adjustment, a long look in the mirror. Mike fixing his collar, catching his own reflection, knowing what was about to happen. You could feel the anticipation.

The Ceremony

Mike stood at the altar and you could see it — the nerves, the weight of the moment, the emotion rising. He got teary before Khristine even arrived, which is always a good sign. When she walked in, radiant and smiling broadly, the ceremony turned from something sacred into something joyful very quickly.

The ring exchange was its own little comedy moment: the best man pretended he’d lost the ring, Khristine laughed putting hers on Mike’s finger, and the whole crowd exhaled. The first kiss sealed it, and just like that — after everything — they were the Tabajondas.

One element worth mentioning: Mike wore a traditional Filipino cord after the ceremony, a beautiful nod to their heritage woven into the day’s most important moment.

Portraits

The Gardens at Monji gave us so much to work with. Against the desert plants, under the famous half-circle arch where Mike leaned in and kissed her while she pulled him close — that arch delivers every time and Khristine and Mike were no exception. There are frames from that spot, both in color and black and white, that are just stunning. As the sun started to set, Mike dipped her against the golden light and she laughed like she couldn’t help it, which she probably couldn’t. The rainbow lens flare on the veil portrait is one of those happy accidents that you can’t plan for and never forget.

The Reception

If the ceremony was tender, the reception was a full party from the moment the grand entrance music dropped. The groomsmen were already getting down before they made it through the door. Khristine and Mike hit the floor immediately and set the tone for the whole night.

The “Tabajondas” neon sign glowed in front of a wall of pink roses, the floral arrangements from Laurel’s Cottage De Bloem filled the tables with color, and Simply Chic Events kept everything moving beautifully. The speeches were heartfelt — Mike held his daughter in his arms while he gave his thank-yous, which was a genuinely lovely moment in the middle of all the noise.

Then: the bouquet toss (Mike’s sister caught it — the crowd erupted), the garter removal (the groomsmen absolutely lost their minds competing for it), and a money dance that brought guests pouring onto the floor. Filipino wedding receptions know how to celebrate, and this one was no different.