by Jen Hart | Real Weddings, Uncategorized
There are a lot of questions to consider when it comes to wedding planning. DIY or hire a planner? What’s the best website or app? How do I create my wedding checklist? Angela started with all these same questions and was able to plan her wedding in just 9 months. Yes, read on to find out how to plan a wedding in 9 month.
Cori of Mallory Carlson Photography captured their intimate wedding perfectly.
Angela is wearing our Zinnia Lace Wedding Dress.
How to Start to Plan a Wedding in 9 Months
The first thing you’ll want to do is determine a budget. Your wedding budget will inform the rest of the wedding planning process. Once you have your budget, you’ll need to begin hiring vendors, including your photographer, florist, entertainment, venue, and invitation designer. You’ll need to choose and book your vendors well as early as possible before they get too busy.
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How Angela Planned Her Wedding
“I planned our wedding in 9 months and had our coordinator on board from November onward (minimally at first, and then a lot more hands-on right before and the day of). I reached out to over 100 vendors in all categories and slowly narrowed them down to my dream team. We used the Wedding Wire app, Google Docs, and separate email folders for each vendor to keep them organized. I also had a wedding binder that held contracts and such once we booked a vendor.”Her advice to future brides: “Please, please hire a month of a coordinator! We loved working with @eventsbythecea. I also found that keeping mood boards, checklists, vendor information, etc., on Google Docs was a lifesaver as they’re so easy to share and collaborate with others. Write as many things down as possible – it’s easier to have it on paper or your phone than trying to remember everything!”
How To Find Your Dream Wedding Dress In a Hurry
Angela had a specific idea for what she wanted in a wedding gown. Long sleeves and lace were what she always imagined herself wearing on her wedding day. Once she discovered Dreamers & Lovers, she knew she wanted to try on some of our gowns. “A few of my friends had worn Dreamers and Lovers wedding gowns in the past, and I knew that I wanted a long sleeve, lace-heavy gown, so I was eager to visit. A month after getting engaged, I gathered my mom, sister, MIL, and two new sisters-in-law, and we headed to Dreamers and Lovers – the only wedding dress appointment I knew I’d needed to make. The whole appointment was relaxed and so special. Sure enough, the dress I admired online was the one I tried on first and fell in love with. We tried on a handful more for good measure, but I ultimately said “yes” to the ZINNIA LACE WEDDING DRESS with a matching veil just as I had imagined.” The Zinnia dress was the perfect choice for Angela’s vintage, lacy style. If you love this style, you may also love Samantha, worn by bride Allison. https://www.dreamersandlovers.com/alison-and-curtis-intimate-backyard-wedding/
Make An Appointment to Visit Dreamers & Lovers
How to Choose Wedding Vendors When Timeline is Tight
Now, you know what you need for your wedding but how do you decide who to hire. Sometimes it has to do with who is available. Angela says, “Being a florist myself, this aspect was critical to me. Finding a florist turned into an unexpected…adventure. But it all worked out in the end when our angel of a florist, Michelle from Creative Light Design (@creativelightdesign), was miraculously still available three months before our wedding. I fully trusted her and was so excited to have her magic grace my wedding day.” Sometimes it has to do with the unique vision you, as a couple, have for your wedding (and some help from Mom!) “Jared and I decided early on that we wanted to get married on a mountain, under pine trees. My mom and I scoured every wedding website imaginable to find a venue that met our needs and vision. Nestled in the quaint town of Julian, CA, Sacred Mountain was our first venue visit, and we were sold! The ceremony site, suites for both Jared and me, the grand stone staircase leading from cocktail hour to reception, and the option to bring any of your own vendors were all major selling points. The staff went above and beyond for us as well. It felt private and was such a gorgeous, serene backdrop for our day.” Angela also decided she had two primary goals for her wedding (besides actually getting married).
The Flowers and Cake
“As a wedding florist myself, the first was that there would be an attention to detail within the florals and overall design that would be unique and memorable for all who attended. Second, and most importantly, Jared and I wanted to have great memories to look back on of our families (specifically grandparents). With this in mind, we booked After The Tone (@afterthetone.co), so we could have photos of our loved ones and their voices recorded as they sent us special messages of congratulations on our wedding day. We will cherish them forever.” It’s a great idea to decide on a few must-haves for your wedding and plan accordingly. Everything else will just be icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, we talked to Angela about how she decided on her wedding dessert. She said, “Neither of us has a big sweet tooth, so we opted for a small, two-layer cutting cake and cupcakes in both chocolate and vanilla for our guests. Vic’s cakes made our cake and decorated it with dried flowers and gold leaf. Jared wanted to add that ‘they were to die for.’”.
Infusing Your Style to Create Your Dream Wedding
We asked Angela to describe her personal style. She said, “This depends on whether we’re talking about fashion or home. I am enjoying a lot of cozy, traditional interior designs that have a French/European flare. For clothing, I either want to be cozy or dressed in something classic or streetwear, which normally looks like a lounge set, a unique pant/shoe find, and lots of gold jewelry. However, I will always be drawn back to a retro/mid-century modern touch in clothing and design.” Their wedding theme was “lush European garden” with shades of deep mauve, cream, smoke gray, olive, and blush, vintage gold accents, and TONS of candles. This theme was a great way of turning your personal style into a wedding theme. In keeping with the lush, wedding florist vibe she had “10 centerpieces that looked like mini gardens spilling over with lilac, an extra-large bridal bouquet with dramatic trailing ribbon, and our custom ceremony installation, aisle markers “growing” up from the grass that led you to 8 lush ground pieces in a half-moon shape which sat in front of a gold pipe arch (that Jared and I made and nicknamed the “Mountain Peak Arch”). “More than anything, we wanted the day to feel like us.”
The Wedding Guests
Angela and Jared knew they could only have 60 guests due to the rules of their dream venue. “It wasn’t an easy feat – I’m Italian, and he’s Mexican, so we both have large families. However, we both wanted a small wedding, and after finding Sacred Mountain’s (@sacredmountainjulian) intimate wedding package, we made up our minds.” Nowadays, more and more people are opting for small wedding ceremonies. In 2020, many weddings were postponed and were taking place this year. In addition, many people had to decide who was important to them and how many they wanted there on their wedding day. Just like former Dreamers & Lovers bride, Alex https://www.dreamersandlovers.com/intimate-casual-wedding-at-a-mountain-top-rustic-cabin/ who narrowed her list down to just six people, you can choose to have a wedding celebration as big or small as you want it to be
The Love Story – Angela & Jared
At the end of the day, your wedding should be about celebrating the joy of love between you and your spouse. This is Angela and Jared’s story. “My husband Jared and I met at our small high school. Even though I had befriended his sister earlier in the school year, Jared and I’s friendship and the subsequent relationship started to blossom in January of my Freshman and his Sophomore year.
Their First Date
“Neither of us can remember! Since our friendship turned into a relationship, our hangouts gradually turned into dates as well.”
The Proposal
“It was magical! Although it wasn’t a complete surprise (Jared asked how I pictured the moment happening – he knew I’d have ideas in mind, haha), it happened exactly how I had hoped. It was just us and our photographer (@thereintime) surrounded by candles and flowers with towering redwoods above us (don’t worry, the candles were LED). He recited some sweet words, including a line from “our song” Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (which I would later walk down the aisle to an instrumental rendition of), got down on one knee, and slipped my dream ring on my finger! We then joined our families for a lovely dinner, as I had requested.”.
The Conflict Test
“My great grandmother passed away the day after Christmas a year or so into Jared, and I know each other. The days leading up to her passing were long and hard for my family, and Jared made himself available at any hour, day, or night. In my mind, it was one of the moments that solidified our relationship and his love for me and my family. We’ve walked each other through more family members passing in the years since then, as well as some ongoing health issues. We remain each other’s comfort and support with each new challenge.”
The Vows
“Jared and I both chose to write our own vows.” An excerpt from the beginning and end of Angela’s vows: “I have prayed for you since elementary school, but only once did I ask for something specific. That request was that my husband and I would be friends in our childhood. I tucked that prayer away in my heart, and even after meeting you, I only let it come to mind from time to time… It’s hard to think of a day that didn’t include you in my recent memory, and I hope I don’t have to experience one without you again. I have confidence and peace that you want the best for us and will continue to look for me. Our lives are an adventure. We work hard and dream harder. We are already a team, but I am excited to see what God has in store for us when we become one.” An excerpt from Jared’s Vows: “You’re a desert flower amidst my sandy plains. You bring beauty into my life, color where I had none. You are the bright star in my night sky. Every day I’m with you, I can’t help but cherish you….” “You are most certainly the best part of me.”
They Planned Their Wedding In Nine Months, What’s Next For Them?
After this beautiful wedding, we wanted to know what Angela and Jared had planned for their future. “We’re enjoying day-to-day life as husband and wife. My business is growing, and Jared is in the process of starting his own on the side, so we’ve enjoyed going on local weekend getaways to reconnect. We’re both only 22, so we are focused on saving and positioning ourselves for bigger milestones in the coming years.” The wedding planning process can be stressful. However, there are ways to plan a wedding in 9 months without wanting to pull your hair out. Having a few non-negotiables and a clear timeline makes the process more straightforward. Angela and Jared achieved a wedding that felt personal and special to them even with minimal time to plan. No matter how much time you have to plan, you can have the wedding of your dreams with the right planning strategy.
Wedding Vendors Who Will Help You Plan a Wedding in 9 Months
Angela’s floral business: @sprigandstem
Photographer:@mallorycarlsonphoto
Venue: @juliansacredmountain – Julian Sacred Mountain
Audio Guestbook: @afterthetone.co
Florist: @creativelightdesign
Cake: @vics.cakes
The month of coordinator: @eventsbythecea
Dress: @dreamersandlovers_
by Jen Hart | Real Weddings
Alison and Curtis got engaged in May and had planned and DIY’ed their intimate wedding in August. Three months to plan a wedding? Heck Yes, when you’ve survived four years of long-distance dating, that becomes your superpower. Not only did they plan a wedding, but they also planned their DREAM wedding with a guest list of 8, in their parent’s backyard. She wore a custom-made bell-sleeve lace wedding dress, that was breathtaking on her. She looked like an earth goddess in the rain while wearing her hunter boots, which were her something-blue. We say it time and time again, that brides like Alison, who show up as themselves on their wedding day, offer us all the inspiration we need to create the incredible dresses we do. How amazing it must be, to show up as the woman you’ve always wanted to be?
Grace Hannah Photography photographed their intimate celebration.
Their Love Story
We met while I was visiting mutual friends in Florida. Curtis lived there his whole life. I am from Ohio but lived in Florida for a year or so (in the same neighborhood as his family), but we didn’t meet until I was back visiting many years later.
It was fun. It was hard.
We dated long distances for about 4 years. We were creative through Skype and phone calls, We traveled back and forth to visit a lot, and we would watch tv and movies together on the phone by starting the shows at the same time and syncing up the sound. It was fun. It was hard. We had to talk our feelings out a lot more than you can in face-to-face dating. You really have to build trust, and we did, and eventually, Curtis made the commitment to move to Ohio.
Favorite Details of the Wedding
Too many details! I could not wear my wedding shoes but loved that my something blue was hunter boots I ordered last minute when I found out it would rain.
We created a “walk our story” by hanging every picture we took as a couple in trees as you arrived at the property. It took us 2 days to map out the placement for the frames, and it also started raining during the set-up. We bought a laminator a d laminated over 150 photographs. This way, they could survive the weather, and it was really cool. I enjoyed setting that up for the two of us, reflecting on our relationship.
The Wedding Dress
My mom found Dreamers & Lovers Online and sent me the link in a text, It was so beautiful and I needed it! We had been dating for a long time and with the pandemic in full swing when we got engaged; I needed something special and reliable and quick.
I saw Samantha and knew it was the one. I needed it quick with 3 months until the wedding. The customer service was so great! They were so helpful and I got the sample dress super quick. I ordered the dress using the rush service and my dress came even quicker than I thought. I had to have my fiance measure me due to not having my pace open to get it done. We did really close on the measurements and a local seamstress was able to adjust the minor mismeasurement.
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Wedding Readings
We are in a whole new world that brings uncertainty and fear, among others about the state of our world, but today is all about a celebration…a moment to escape the world and focus on a promise of love, faithfulness, and respect. If you look around our setting…the people here, the extreme effort is given to create, the beauty of being surrounded by the natural setting, filled with trees and life… this too is part of that celebration.
But, we are also witnessing the unity of two families who will now be forever united, from Florida and Ohio, so in essence, today is ALL about unity. So, Curtis and Alison, your journey, both present and what is to come will begin today but as husband and wife.
I would like to share with you an adapted reading from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres (de Benyéir) that the couple has selected for me to read today:
Love is a temporary madness,
-It erupts like volcanoes and then subsides, softens, and reflects.
And when that love subsides, one finds that a decision must be made.
And, within this decision-making and the growing process of us all, one takes in the wholeness of who he or she has been, who he or she is, and who he or she wants to be within that Love.
We must be mindful of the work of this process and whether our roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that they should ever part because a rootless tree will not survive.
We hope for and look to unite, to grow, and become ONE bound in commitment and shared existence.
And why?…Because this is what Love is.
We know that Love is not breathless, it is not a predicted excitement,
It is not the promulgation of a false or eternal passion because
That is just “being in love,” which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when the innocence of being in love has burned away, and that is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from the branches, they find that they are ONE tree and not two.
Love must be cared for, nurtured, remembered, and pushed to progress, rooted in what we want, offer, commit, and what the soul needs. That is true and committed Love.
Then we planted a unity tree.
Wedding Vendors
We loved all our vendors. I called up my good friend Shannon for the cake and asked her to make me a naked buttercream cake with succulents. I trusted her completely. I sent her a few photos, and she did amazing and it was perfect. Totally stress-free!
The wedding flowers were also simple since we did not have a wedding party or wedding colors. I found a florist (@acornandevergreenofkent) with a vibe I liked and asked them to create a flower crown, bouquet, and boutonniere out of whatever looked good. I gave them an example as well and creative freedom and was so happy with the result! Trust your vendors! They will take great care of you.
My cousin Bri did my hair and held my dress up out of the mud. She would not put it down during the ceremony. She was like, “it’s too pretty, and it can’t get this mud on it!”
(GREAT) Advice for Future Brides
Get married! Don’t worry about the image you had in your mind for the perfect wedding. Elopement-type weddings are where it’s at!! You can still have and use that image, and if you roll with what comes (pandemic and all), you can create something beautiful and unique.
I’m Italian and have a huge family, and we have many friends who live in Florida, all of whom could not attend our 8-person wedding due to the COVID-19 safety recommendations. So it was totally not how I imaged getting married. Still, it was so special, and I think that only our immediate family and our officiants family added another layer of intimacy.
It’s ok not to be perfect. It literally poured rain on an outdoor ceremony all day. I bought the clear umbrellas last minute because I was getting married under the arch that I had spent weeks making collecting wild grapevines from the woods. I had poison ivy 3 times and had to take 2 rounds of prednisone, so I was getting married under it!!!
We were covered in mud and soaked. We lost power to the tent about 30 min before the wedding and needed a last-minute generator. My dad spent so much time working on the electric line to restore The power by the ceremony site.
The cello player was 20 min late, stuck in traffic because the freeway flooded. So My father, cousin, and I shared a nice bottle of wine out in the shed, waiting in the rain. We even spilled that wine a bit. So perfect, no, but my favorite memories of the day were
The ones that went wrong and all the love that went into making the day wonderful.
We made lemonade out of lemons, and it was so great, and I couldn’t stop laughing the whole day because it was sooo soooo ridiculous.
Those who think only sunshine brings happiness have never danced in the rain
You spend all this time planning the perfect day, and it can fall apart so quickly if you let it, so my advice is don’t let it!!!! Instead, make it the best day of the first day of your new lives together.
“Those who think only sunshine brings happiness have never danced in the rain.”
by Jen Hart | California Wedding, Real Weddings
Brian and Emily met the good old-fashioned way, at work. Only a week into the job, Emily overheard Brian speaking, and at that point, she may have known. She might not have known that she’d end up marrying him, but she knew he had that special something.
This couple had originally planned a wedding with a guest list of over 200 guests, but as 2020 went down for many brides, plans had to change. Their wedding turned out to be a 14 person backyard wedding in Northern California. The most important part of any wedding day is marrying your person, and even though they had to change plans, their backyard wedding was extra special. Love always wins. The wedding took place in Emily’s parent’s backyard, the place she spent her formative years. I’d like to think this must have been nothing short of a dream.
Cori of CoriAnn Photography captured their backyard wedding perfectly.
Emily is wearing our Violetta Lace Wedding Dress.
Our Love Story
Brian and I met while working at a day program for adults with disabilities. I walked into InJOY Life Resources in Bellflower, CA, for an interview for a job. When I walked into the office, Brian was there and greeted me, introduced himself, and showed me where I would be interviewed. About a week and a half later, it was my first day on the job, and I was reading the employee handbook when I overheard Brian interacting with one of his members. At that moment, I knew there was something special about him. For the next couple of weeks, I could not tell if Brian was flirting with me or if that’s just how he was. But then one day, Brian made the bold move of texting me after calling me for something “work-related,” and the rest is history.
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The Proposal
The spot we got married was also the exact spot Brian asked me to marry him in July 2019. We had just arrived at my parents’ house in Penn Valley, CA. We were hanging out with my parents and their close friends when Brian decides to go for a golf cart ride. I was a bit hard to convince because I was tired, but I eventually caved, wondering if this was part of his big plan to propose (I knew some details). After a bit of my complaining and asking to go back to the house, Brian finally agrees to go back. When they pull in, the song “Simple” by Florida Georgia Line is playing, and there is a burlap sign that says “Will you marry me?” in the corner of the yard. I had a huge smile on her face and looks at Brain, and he says, “Oh! What’s that over there?” Which makes me laugh, and we walk over to where the sign is. We embrace for a while and whisper some stuff to each other, then Brian gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. I am the happiest she has ever felt in my life and kisses him; then I take the ring out of the box, then finally I say yes. I begin to cry, and then my parents, family friends, the friend I will eventually ask to be my maid of honor, and three other friends I will ask to be my bridesmaids come out of the house congratulating them. Now I am crying harder. Then we spent the rest of the evening celebrating our engagement with champagne toasts and lots of food and treats!
The Backyard Wedding Dress
Finding my wedding dress was very exciting! When it came to actually plan our wedding, finding the perfect wedding dress was really the only thing I cared about. It was the one thing I was not willing to compromise on, and I knew the exact style I was looking for. I have had a wedding Pinterest board for years, so I have always loved planning my hypothetical wedding. But when we got engaged, I really narrowed down what I was looking for. I found Dreamers and Lovers after Googling “bohemian wedding dresses in Los Angeles.” Once I came across the website, I immediately sent it to my mom and maid of honor and said, “This is where I am getting my dress.” I had several dresses in mind when I went to my appointment, but the one I ended up choosing what not one of them. It was the 5th dress I tried on, and I immediately fell in love. There were other dresses I liked and could see myself in, but the Violetta was absolutely perfect. It had the laid-back bohemian style that I loved and looked bridal and made me feel like a bride. Not to mention, it is designed to perfectly hug your curves, so it is extremely flattering.
Make An Appointment to Visit Dreamers & Lovers
The Proposal
Since we planned our wedding for the fall of 2020, it was not what we originally imagined. Our 200+ wedding in Camarillo turned into a 14-person backyard wedding in Northern California. We got married in my parent’s backyard which is the house that I grew up in. Cori Ann Shipley was our photographer and she did such an amazing job of capturing all of the beauty of the day. We had an absolute blast and were able to enjoy every part of it. We ate, drank, and danced until about 10:30 because our neighbors called the cops because we were being too loud.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was what we like to call “short and sweet”. My husband’s best friend performed the ceremony and my husband and I wrote our own vows. I had tunnel vision the whole time so I honestly do not know how long it was or what any of the guest’s reactions were. My husband and I are fans of the show New Girl. If you are familiar with the show, I am sure you can recall Schmidt and Cece’s wedding ceremony in the loft where Schmidt says in his vows “I hope for as long as we stay together that I always remain someone that you wanna holla at”. My husband said those lovely words to me in his vows and it was absolutely perfect.
Future Plans
Brian and I do not have any plans set in stone for our future. We are just so happy to have each other as partners in this crazy world. This past year has really been difficult for many of us, but it has made us even stronger, and we are excited to take on all of life’s adventures together.
by Jen Hart | California Wedding, Real Weddings
Mike and Alex had a different wedding than they initially planned, because,……Covid. It couldn’t have been more perfect with only six guests and the most epic rustic mountain cabin. Alex and Mike’s wedding highlights that smaller, more intimate weddings can be as dreamy and magical as larger weddings.
Alex summed up this sentiment best:
“Our day was absolutely perfect. It had all the highlights of a big wedding without all the fuss. My dress was stunning and comfortable and made me feel beautiful. It also paired perfectly with Mike’s blue puppytooth suit and burgundy tie. The cabin was lovely. The setting was gorgeous. The sky cleared, and it ended up being a gorgeous day. The whole celebration was casual and intimate. We both felt so special and couldn’t have been happier. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing.”
Alex Wore Dreamers & Lovers, Hayley Flowy Lace Wedding Dress.
Their photographer, San-Francisco based Bre Thurston, captured their wedding so perfectly. Here Alex highlights, Bre’s candid style, and we couldn’t agree more.
“I loved her style, which felt elegant and classic, yet somehow effortless and intimate. When we first talked with her about what we wanted out of a photographer, we explained that we wanted to focus on candid moments.”
Our Love Story (from Alex)
Mike and I met through a mutual friend. Or rather, a would-be mutual friend. At the time, he was Mike’s good friend and my neighbor. They were writing a script together, saw me walk by, and asked me to come over. Well, asked is perhaps too passive of a word. It was more of a yell from the kitchen window to come hang out. Mike was the quieter of the two. He was cute and funny and nice. My neighbor and I became friends and I in turn became friends with his friends. Mike would come around every so often. I always found myself drawn to him. And after a couple years of friendly conversation we finally got drunk enough to kiss.
The Proposal
Mike surprised me one Saturday by saying he’d rented a cute Airbnb for us in Topanga Canyon. As we’d been together for quite some time, I knew that a proposal was in our future, and thus, had an inkling that this could be the night. That said, he’d had ample opportunities in the past and it wasn’t completely out of the ordinary for him to surprise me with a great date idea.
We arrived at the most adorable tree house with a gorgeous view overlooking the canyon. Excited, I started fiddling with the rental’s Bluetooth speaker so that we could play some music while we got ready for dinner. He’d made a reservation at The Inn of the Seventh Ray and I was thinking he might ask me there.
It was dark outside so when I looked up to see a face peering at me from the window, I shrieked. Mike started laughing and I ran out to say that I couldn’t believe he finally got me. (He always tries to scare me, and it never works.) He said that he had to get me outside “to do this…” then he knelt down and proposed. I was so surprised, convinced that it wouldn’t be this time, or that it would be later in the night, that I said, “Oh, you’re proposing!” Followed by a “Yes!” Then we popped some champagne, which he’d hidden in the car, before celebrating at dinner where we ate under a canopy of trees wrapped in twinkle lights.
Relationship Adversity
I’m the type of person who needs constant change. I need to always feel like I’m moving forward. I work in a job that has grown into a career that now challenges me. It’s now constantly evolving and presenting new obstacles, but about 5 years ago it was more administrative and office-based. I had been at the same company, in the same relationship, living in the same apartment, in the same part of town. I felt stuck.
Travel has always been very important to me, so about 5 years into my career and my relationship, I surprised everyone by deciding to take 4 months off to backpack through Europe. Alone.
To my surprise, my company supported me, but even more meaningful was that Mike supported me. He told me I was brave and that this was why he loved me. Because I was the type of person who would follow her passion. And though he couldn’t join me for the full trip, he’d visit for a week towards the end.
4 months away from real life, taking long walks, hiking, meeting new people and exploring new places gave me a lot of time to think. It made me realize that I loved my job and was excited about what it would become as I grew and gained more responsibilities. It also made me realize that there were some difficult conversations about the future of my relationship that needed to be had.
Once we started to open up, we realized that some assumptions had been made that were blocking us from moving forward. We decided to always put communication first. To make travel more of a priority. And never be afraid to talk things through.
We’ve been better for it ever since.
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Advice For Future Brides
Find your support people. I’ve always said, it’s your wedding, do it the way that you want. But that’s easier said than done. I was lucky in that my immediate family was supportive of me having a micro-wedding as they knew it was important to me to keep it small and intimate. But I still had a difficult time with friends who were upset that they weren’t invited and family members who felt left out. It was wonderful to have a great group of friends to reinforce my decisions.
I was also completely overwhelmed by the whole process and did not enjoy the planning and pageantry of it all. I was lucky to have people who did and very confidentially said, “We love this. You don’t. Let us handle it.”
I’m someone who has a difficult time accepting help. I like to do everything myself. But I was so thankful that I had people who convinced me to relinquish some control and helped me to take it all one step at a timeht decision for us and our growing little family.
The Vows
We each rewrote the traditional wedding vows to be what we vowed and how we wanted to say them. I don’t have a favorite line or phrase, but I did love how we both kept traditional and used a parenthetical to add in our own customization. i.e. “for better (as we are now), for worse (as you are some mornings, though you are letting me sleep more, which I infinitely appreciate), for richer (which we will hopefully one day be) and for poorer (which we have definitely been)…“
READINGS
We didn’t have any readings in the traditional sense. My Uncle, who served as our officiant, sent us both a series of questions. We were to each answer the same questions and not share our answers with one another.
– What were your impressions/thoughts when you first met?
– How did these thoughts and impressions change or grow as you started dating?
– When did you know Mike was “the one?” Was there a cognizant moment?
– Is there something Mike has always done that you once found annoying but now see as intrinsically him?
In lieu of the usual ceremonial proceedings, he read our answers out loud to us, swapping out the readers as he went so that Mike’s best friend read a portion, my mom read a portion, and Mike and I even read a portion to one another.
The Wedding Cake
We ordered a 5” Crazy Berry Cake from Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola. It was a vanilla sponge filled with raspberry, strawberry, and blackberry jams and buttercreams, iced with vanilla buttercream and topped with berries at the center. It was delicious!!
We also ordered a Key Lime Pie, which is our all-time favorite. It was sweet and tart and massive. We ended up bringing it home where I ate the rest all by myself, bit by bit throughout the week, leaning over the counter with a fork in hand. It was too much pie, but totally worth it.
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The Wedding Flowers
The only flowers at our wedding were in my beautiful wedding bouquet. I opted for Sola wood flowers and eucalyptus in ivory, burgundy, and blush (from EvergreenBride on Etsy). Everyone thought they were real. They smelled wonderful and were very sturdy. Which came in handy as I passed them around and plopped them here and there. And especially when I tossed them to Mike and his best friend while they were posing for photos. It was hilarious as they both thought the bouquet would be delicate and panicked, scrambling to catch it.
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Finding The Dress
Growing up, I never fantasize about my wedding. I was always more of a run through the trees, kick up some dirt kind of girl. That said, by the time Mike proposed, we’d been together for nearly 10 years, so I’d had some time to think about it.
The great thing about long relationships is that you get to know yourself, both as a person and as a person in a couple. By the time we started planning our wedding I had been to all my friend’s weddings. I’d gotten past the expectations and pressures of what everyone else thinks the perfect wedding looks like. I got to pick and choose and find what felt right for us.
Though I didn’t want a traditional wedding, I knew I wanted some elements of one. Like the dress. I didn’t want anything too beaded or overly ornate. I didn’t want a corset or petticoats. I definitely had fun trying on different dresses. Dresses that pushed up here and cinched in there. But I always knew I wanted something simple and elegant. Something with a personality, that I could move in.
The first dress that I saw from Dreamers & Lovers was Willow. I immediately fell in love with the bold lace. As I went through Yanique’s collection, I had a feeling I’d find my dress at her shop. By the time my appointment rolled around, I had been to about 10 other stores and all had struck out.
Then I put on Hayley. She’s gorgeous and girly and whimsical. Which actually feels a little contrary to who I am, but somehow, she fits me so beautifully. This dress made me feel special. It was the perfect day, and this was the perfect dress.
Favorite Details
This is a hard one as I loved every aspect of our wedding and didn’t have anything like my mother’s earrings or my grandmother’s lace (though my mom did wear the dress that her mother wore to her wedding, which was beautiful and so sweet and meaningful). But I’d have to say my favorite detail of our wedding was that our gorgeous, rustic cabin sat at the very top of a redwoods laden mountain. Yes, the drive up was a bit harrowing. Yes, my father got completely lost and flustered as I tried to talk him through the directions with spotty cell service. And yes, the cabin was so tiny that we would have been completely screwed had it rained (as it was originally scheduled to). But the view was incredible. It stunned us with its beauty. We found the perfect spot to have the ceremony, an edge of the deck that overlooked the trees and rolling mountains and the ocean in the distance. And it made every photo light up, either filled with the dynamic sky or the setting sun (as we timed the ceremony to be at magic hour).
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Next For The Couple
We are back to work! Back to real-life in Los Angeles. We’re both working out of our small apartment while looking into houses as we’re in desperate need of more space and a backyard. So hopefully a house is in our future. But in the meantime, we’re staying busy and going back to business as usual until June, when we’ll have a big party to celebrate with our family and friends. And after which, we’ll be going on our honeymoon. Location to be determined…
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by Jen Hart | Real Weddings
As a bride planning a mountain wedding, there are important things to consider, such as the rugged terrain, comfort, and finding a dress that aligns with the beauty of the outdoors. As a boho bridal brand, many of our brides plan adventure outdoor weddings, and we’ve had lots of brides with incredible mountainside weddings.
Heather, a Dreamy Boho Mountain Dress – Fitted but Comfortable
Alyssa got married at the picturesque Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, a mountainous and rugged part of the Central Coast of California, surrounded by the most spectacular panoramic views. She wore the Heather fringe lace wedding dress, on her wedding day. This dress works perfectly because of the bold patterns. The floral pattern of the lace blends harmoniously with the backdrop. The off-shoulder neckline ensured that she wouldn’t be hot, or worst yet worry about sweat stains, if planning a summer outdoor wedding. Her wedding was an adventure elopement style, so it was likely only her partner, photographer, and officiant present.
She chose a comfortable design that allowed her to move around freely. Although it was a fitted style, it was comfortable to walk around in. Comfort should be a staple when choosing a dress for your mountain wedding. Mermaid styles are not good options for a mountain wedding, because you will feel restrictive. Chances are your mountainside nuptials may include hiking, so your dress should allow you the freedom to climb over rocks, or even tread through the mud.
Finally, choose a well-fitting dress. We can guarantee that you want to look your best, while not worrying about a dress malfunction. Luckily, Alyssa used our complimentary made-to-measure service, so she received a perfectly fitting wedding dress without the need for alterations. She got it home and hung it safely until the wedding day. After receiving feedback from Alyssa, it is safe to say her dress was perfect for her destination wedding, and ceremony location.
Simone, a Flowy Boho Mountain Wedding Dress
For the bride planning a mountain wedding in the colder months, a long sleeve dress option is a perfect choice. The Simone adds a flowy feel and will be easy to move around in. The earthy foliage of the lace will blend perfectly with the natural background of the mountain scenery. The stunning train makes for great photos. There is both a wristlet and a bustle for pinning up the train. The bustle comes in handy, especially if you’re planning on hiking.
Simone Elopement Wedding Dress |Jasper K Photos
Simone Dress| Chuy Photos
by Jen Hart | Bohemian Brides, California Wedding, Real Weddings
Dating when you have a mutual friend is the dream! I mean, no background checks required. Double checks. What if that friend was a friend of your boyfriend? Would you still date him? Why not, right? If you both end up being single, then it’s fair game. Isn’t that the best part of Facebook? Kudos to our bride Erika for spotting her soul mate. She admits to always having a crush on Bobby. We are crushing on her wedding. She looks stunning wearing our Callista off-shoulder wedding dress. The fitted silhouette complements her gorgeous figure, and the fringe hem informs her guest that they are in for a fun time. Seeing how remarkable she looks, it’s hard to imagine that she originally wanted a flowy dress. I’m sure she would have been a knockout in whatever wedding dress she chose, but this dress is entirely her. We are also obsessing over the use of color in her bouquet and her bridesmaid dresses. Everything about her wedding is a win! She had us at churros being one of her must-haves. Read Erika’s and Bobby’s story and get inspired to follow your heart, and do it all your way.
Tell us, how do did you meet?
Erika: My husband Bobby and I met about 10 years ago from a mutual friend. I was actually dating one of his friends for about 3 years, but I always had a little crush on Bobby. Then years later when we were both single, he messaged me on Facebook and we went on a date! And the rest is history!
Tell us all about the proposal
Erika: It happened when my husband Bobby and I were climbing/camping in Joshua Tree. His original plan was to propose on the first day at the top of a climb but unfortunately, that didn’t go as planned. I was having trouble climbing up the first few climbs and the weather wasn’t great. Then the next day, there was a little bit of sunshine, so we decided to take a walk. He put the go-pro on one of the trees so we could take some pictures together (which we always do) and then all of a sudden he got down on one knee! It was absolutely perfect. And then of course, right after that, we went climbing again and I climbed right up to the top! Perfect weekend.
A romantic wedding at Leo Carrillo Ranch in California
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony?
Erika: Yes, we had my brother read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. About friendship in marriage!
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line?
Erika: No, we did not write our own vows.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress
Erika: I never really thought too much about what kind of dress I wanted to get married in until I was actually engaged. At first, I was only looking for flowy dresses because I don’t like wearing tight clothes. So I found one and I was soo close to buying it until I came across the Dreamers and Lovers website and I immediately fell in love with like 10 dresses. I had one specifically in mind when I went to their store, but the one I ended up buying was so much different. It was tight, it was off the shoulder, it had a beautiful train and it had fringes. And it was mine! Erika is wearing the Callista Off-Shoulder Bohemian Wedding Dress and the Cindy veil.
SHOP ERIKA’S DRESS AND MANY MORE DREAMY OFF SHOULDER WEDDING DRESSES MADE IN OUR CALIFORNIA DESIGN HOUSE
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding?
Erika: My favorite vendor was our photographers. They’re a married couple up in mammoth and the love they have for photography really shows in their pictures. My husband is an awkward photo taker and they made it so much fun for him. I am so glad we decided on them! SierraWillowPhotography!
What advice do you have for other future-brides currently planning a wedding?
Erika: We had a long engagement and that helped us save more money. Also, all-inclusive venues are worth it.
How many guests did you have?
Erika: We had about 110 people.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert?
Erika: We had a small little lemon cake for the two of us topped with a cactus, a Mr & Mrs topper and a bunch of different colored flowers. Then we had churros for all the guests.
What was your favorite detail of the wedding?
Erika: Our wedding was Spanish themed and the first two must-haves were churros and the white papel picado banners. Those were the only two things I really really cared about.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding?
Erika: I would say budgeting and maybe the guest list.
What’s next for you as a couple?
Erika: We’re trying to take as many little trips as we can until we have some little ones running around in a few years.
Tell us about your wedding flowers?
Erika: We had a family friend do our flowers and she did an amazing job. I sort of left it all up to her except for a few little details I had wanted. We had the perfect Fall mixture of flowers and colors. I was completely surprised on the day of and I LOVED them.
Feel free to share any additional info about your day
Erika: All of my family and friends who are married told me the day goes by very fast and it is 100% true. Just try to take it all in and have a good time. It’ll be the best day of your life.
Inspired by Erika and Bobby’s Spanish style wedding? Planning your own wedding? Check out another bride who had an amazing Spanish-style bohemian wedding. See more of this wedding here
Photographer: Sierra Willow Photography
Venue: Leo Carillo Ranch
Dress: Dreamers & Lovers
