So today, I had to share this adorable anniversary shoot by Leah McEachern Photography. I mean, how amazing is the mountain scenery? My favorite thing about this shoot though, is how effortless and comfortable the happy couple looks as they keep each other warm in the spring snow. Check it out and join us in wishing Carolynn and Preston a very happy anniversary!
Today I'm announcing that I am not eloping. ...Well, not in the traditional sense of the word anyway. Let me explain...
Photo Via Grey Likes Weddings
Recently I was talking to a loved one who (surprise-surprise) less than thrilled about not getting to attend our wedding. I shared the fact that I plan to elope because I thought they'd be super excited for us but I was so wrong. I even tried to hype the person up by getting them excited about our reception/marriage celebration that we will be having upon our return but no dice.
They actually ended up getting even more upset and even ended up saying, "I find the whole thing depressing".(Ouch - that one actually hurt.) Then the person went on to tell me that they wished I just ran off and kept the whole thing to myself. (If the other blow hurt, that one knocked me out cold)
This got me thinking - What the heck? Why does everyone act like we're eloping to hurt them personally? And this is 2015, not everything has to be by the book anymore right? Why should I have to keep my news to myself when I'm so excited!? It feels like those who reject my decision are basically saying if I don't have a traditional wedding I don't get to be excited about tying the knot at all.
Maybe I'm being insensitive here but, say it with me brides, "it's my wedding" and I thought I had the right to make it whatever I want it to be. I don't think it's so crazy to want to get married minus the family drama and credit card debt.
It's not like I'm excluding people out of spite. This just happens to be the way I'd like to do this and I still fully plan to have an after party with most of the normal trappings of a regular wedding. We are just gonna go a slightly more frugal and intimate route.
After all this, I realized that the truth is, I'm not eloping. That terminology is wrong. To elope is to run off without telling anyone and I say forget that! I'm not running and I plan to tell anyone who will listen. I'm excited and I want people to know.
In light of all of the above, here I am correcting myself. I am not (really) eloping. I'm having a private ceremony that everyone will know about because it's freaking awesome! Mexico, here we come!!
If you were looking for some seriously inspiring industrial style for your wedding, look no further. Every Little Detail Event Planning put together this amazing shoot that's the perfect mix of romantic and cool. From the super awesome, suspended cake table to the sweet, heart shaped sushi, this this little inspiration session is industrial wedding perfection. The whole shebang was captured by the amazing Benjamin David Photography for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy!
Photography: Benjamin David Photography// Event Planner: Every Little Detail// Location: Lansing Warehouse, Michigan// Floral: Bel-Fiori's Rose Shoppe// Baker: Whipped Bakery// Makeup: Kylie Dothsuk// Hair: Laura Ashley Hair Stylist// Invitations: Gwyneth Paige Couture Letterpress
Photo via Allison Harp
When the fiance and I decided to elope we did it with blinders on. All we could see was the vision of the two of us in some tropical location finally getting to tie the knot. It seemed perfect and all of the traditional wedding day stress just melted away. ...and then we told people.
I know you're thinking, who the heck tells people that they're eloping? I mean, by definition the very word means, "to run off and get married". All I can say is, I blame the blinders! I was sure that, given my complete inability to make wedding plans so far, everyone would be happy for us. I imagined that if I just planned to include everyone in a reception style party, that everything would be okay. Not so much!
As the news started to break about my impending elopement, I've been hit with a lot of different opinions. There have been some people who are happy for us and see it as super romantic, and then there are those who feel hurt.
(Something you should know about me, I hate it when people are upset with me. I mean, I REALLY hate it. I'm talking nightmares, loss of appetite, the whole thing. It's not good.)
After obsessing over a few different naysayer's concerns... I still totally want to do it!
Let me break down my pros list for you...
Â
1. The fiance and I are way more excited about our day when we talk about eloping. There's less stress, less pressure, and I feel like there's room for more creative freedoms.
2. I'd get more one on one time with my new husband!
3. I know Tony and I will be able to completely focused on each other during our vows and we'll be comfortable enough to say what we really want to say. (This ones a biggie because the ceremony is the most important part to me.)
4. LESS FAMILY DRAMA.
5. I know that those who feel hurt only feel that way because they love us. While I do wish they could be with us, I worry that if they are, I'm going to feel spread thin and a little overwhelmed. That's really not what I want on our wedding day. We do plan to find a special way to celebrate with them and I hope that they'll be happy for us because this is what we really want.
Â
I feel so bad that this would cause any of my loved ones pain. That is obviously not my intention here. The plan is simply to start my marriage with my long time best friend. The truth is, I've fought the want to elope for a long time for fear of upsetting people or missing out on certain traditions. However, now that I think back, I see that I'm just not a traditional bride and that's okay! In light of all that, this is something we just have to do for us and hope everyone will understand.
The lesson I learned here is - eloping is really NOT easier than having a traditional wedding. It's just a different kind of stress. At the end of the day though, as long as you end up married, I think it's totally worth it!
Â
Here we are, mid June and Father's Day is just around the corner. What better time is there to nail down your must have father-daughter wedding photos. Chances are, your wedding day will be just as emotional for him as it is for you, so it's important to capture all of the special moments. Bring this list to your photographer and thank me for it later!
Â
Photo via Little Acorn Photography
Photo via Virgil Bunao
Photo via Lexia Frank Photography
Photo via Julie A Whitlock Photography
Photo via Binary Flips Photography
Photo via SnapKnot
7. The Down The Isle Photo (Obvi)
Photo via Colin Cowie Weddings
Photo via Jeremiah and Rachel Photography
So every morning I sit back with my cup-o-joe and peruse my favorite blogs for some wedding inspiration. This week there were some serious stand outs and I have to share. See below for my top 3 favorite posts from the past week with some personal commentary thrown in.
Â
I am head over heels for this gorgeous Lanikai wedding featured on Green Wedding Shoe! Not only is the location stunning, but can we just talk about the bride's cropped, high slit ensemble? Can you say, perfection?
Although the location and attire are absolutely killer, there is an entirely different reason I can't stop thinking about this post... This couple pretty much nailed my dream wedding day. They started off with the ceremony, took a dip in the ocean, and ended the night all dolled up at dinner (with photographer in tow of course)!
It's the perfect plan and I can't wait to try it out on my own big day!
Unfortunately their aren't a bunch of pretty pictures to share for this next post but I thought it was really helpful. Style Me Pretty was kind enough to share some need to know skincare tips for brides prepping for their big day! I've been positively obsessive over my skin care routine lately and I know that it's only gonna get more intense the closer I get to the wedding day. Check it out and cross one less worry off your list!
So if you've read any of my most recent posts, you know I'm Mexico bound for elopement. Even still, I want to include my loved ones in my marriage celebration. I've been toying with the idea of having a reception for my family and have been digging around for decor ideas. Enter this post by Wedding Chicks!
How fun would a fiesta themed reception be? And yes, for the record, if we do go this route there will be a pinata guest book. (Because it's awesome!)
So there you have it! My top 3 posts for the week. Tell me what you think and send me the link to your favorite posts in the comment section!
So with summer just around the corner, the weather is really starting to heat up here in Northern California. The ever increasing temperature has left me obsessed with wedding day updos and has also lead me here. Today I share with you twenty of my favorite updo hairstyles for your consideration and general amazement. Be prepared for your jaw to drop ladies. Don't say you weren't warned!
Photo Credit in Order: Hair Accessory// Over the Shoulder// Tucked Veil// Fishtail// Floral Headband// Retro Braid// Greenery// Over the Shoulder Two// Winding Braid// Floral Twist// Red Head Bride// Floral Side Accent// Braided Beauty// Large Floral Accent// Delicate Flowers// Flower Crown// Floral Wave// Unique Accessory// Simple Up Do// Braids and Flowers
So wedding season is upon us and I was lucky enough to attend a friends big day this past weekend. I was really interested in seeing how everything came together because the venue is very woodsy and doesn't scream wedding at first glance. I had been to the location several times before for family parties, and was having trouble picturing the area as a wedding venue. ...and then I arrived.
My genius friend had strung bistro lights from tree to tree, which created instant ambiance. The romantic light completely transformed the space and really set the tone for the night. I was so inspired, I decided to dedicate this post to my six favorite ways to incorporate bistro lights into your big day. Enjoy!
Photo via Abby Rose Photo
Photo via Elegant Wedding Invites
Photo via ReadyLuck
Photo via Adam Barnes
Photo via Adam Trujillo
Photo via Hello May
Holla E & I Readers! We're moving forward with the Mexico elopement plans and I couldn't be more excited! This past week has been all about gathering inspiration and here is the first cut of my inspiration board. Basically we're going for a fun, adventure type of elopement.
I'm really loving authentic Mexican textiles lately and would love to incorporate them into our big day. I would also like our original wedding color, burgundy, to be used somehow but I could find very little examples of what I'm looking for. I'm sure it will all come together in the end. I'm keeping a look out for inspiration and I intend to update this board regularly.
Last thing is my dress. I don't know exactly what I want yet, but I'm excited! I feel like I can get away with so much more now. Sheer panels, slits, cropped dress - the skies the limit!
Last, last thing - I'm not sold on having a donkey. I just added him because he's adorable. ...You're welcome and happy Friday!!
So after all of the venue hunting, I finally came to a conclusion... I want to elope to Mexico! I want to start off by saying I adore weddings and I love helping plan for other people, but my own wedding planning just wasn't happening. The more I tried the more stressed I because and the farther away my actual marriage seemed. Finally I realized my fiance and I were constantly saying the same thing - let's just get married already!
Photo via Blaine Harrington Photography
After many long talks and much deliberation, we finally arrived at the core of our wedding day wants. As much as we would love our friends and family to join in on our day, we finally realized that more than that, we just want to go on an adventure together! So, Mexico here we come!
Photo via Camille Styles
I have to admit, since making our decision, I have become obsessed with the idea. I've even, already started making a souvenir wish list! My number one item is some brightly colored throws like the ones pictured above. So gorgeous!
Photo via Ruffled Blog
I've also been dreaming up the perfect wedding dress. With our new location I feel less pressure about my bridal look for and I'm ready to just have fun with it. I can't wait to get shopping!
Photo via Florida Social
The best thing about this little change of plans is the amount of pressure that it has relieved. Instead of freaking out from stress, I'm freaking out because of excitement! I am so ready to hope a plane and say I do! Before that happens though, I have to work out the details and that's where you come in. Please leave comments below with any advice for planning my destination elopement!
Can't wait to read your comments!
Adios!
