Carmel Magazine

094-100 Celebrity Weddings_152-161 Garcia story 4/22/13 4:17 PM Page 5 To the average person, it seems that celebrities lead fairy-tale lives. So it should come as no surprise that for their most special of days, movie stars, sports luminaries and other high-profile people would choose to come to a magically romantic locale such as the Monterey Peninsula. still managed to get the Besides the obvious natural shot." When the money is beauty, there are deeper rea- that big and the stakes that sons people align with the high, "The paparazzi will do Monterey Peninsula. anything." Helicopters hov- "Pebble Beach is a very ered overhead; it was a true spiritual place to me," says media circus. CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz. Shields and Agassi were stay- "I've felt it calling me there for ing at Stonepine, an exclusive a long time…a strong, deep Carmel Valley resort. Security tug." Nantz has covered the there was drum-tight. "They AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am even tethered weather bal- every year since 1986. While loons around the property to staying at the Lodge, he keep helicopters at bay," would rise early each morn- O'Neal says.Thinking that was a ing and "watch the dawning of tragedy waiting to happen, he a new day…to me it was a casually mentioned it to U.S. place where I felt a certain Representative Sam Farr, who peace, a place of prayerful subsequently introduced legis- introspection." lation banning such activity. In 2009, Nantz brought Despite all the hoopla, the cou- Courtney Richards to the ple was able to enjoy their day. tournament with him, and she "Brooke was one of the most joined him for one of his beautiful brides I've ever seen," morning ruminations. "As the O'Neal says. "Very nice, very sun came up, there was a glo- charming. When she came out, rious rainbow stretching over she radiated; she sparkled." our heads," she recalls. Nantz Stonepine was also the site of another high-visibility Hollywood wedding when had never witnessed that Courtney and Jim Nantz share a laugh just prior to their charmed Pebble Beach wedding ceremony. before and took it as an omen. On June 9, 2012, he actor Dennis Franz (then riding high after starring got through the Stonepine gate that didn't belong and Courtney exchanged vows in a jaw-drop- in TV series "Hill Street Blues" and "NYPD Blue") there. But: "No matter how you try to keep a cap ping Pebble Beach setting. Tom O'Neal was and Los Angeles businesswoman Joanie Zeck tied on things," Geiger says, "the word always gets there with his camera. "That wedding was just the knot. Gary Geiger was on board to docu- out." When the bride got wind that paparazzi spectacular," he recounts. "It was one of the ment the proceedings on film. "The guest list was were at the Monterey airport having the doors most amazing weddings I've ever done. a Who's Who of the Hollywood entertainment removed from helicopters so they could hang Everything went perfectly; even the weather biz," Geiger recalls. This accomplished photogra- out the sides to shoot the wedding, the ceremo- was outstanding." pher shot hundreds of weddings during his ny was delayed until after dark to foil their The Nantzes had such a wonderful experi- career ("At my peak, I was doing 125 a year," he attempts. As with the Shields/Agassi affair, though, ence that they subsequently chose to make says. "I did 27 in one month.") This one definitely the couple was able to relax and have fun. "Franz Pebble Beach their home. "Being fortunate stood out. "It was one of those weddings you was super easy to work with," Geiger says. "He enough to have my life centered here, and to don't forget." Again, security was heavy. No one enjoyed everything and had a great time." have my life with Courtney commence here is 98 C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER 2013

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