Fabulously Art-Inspired Festival Themed Wedding *

Fabulously Art-Inspired Festival Themed Wedding *

When deciding on the theme of their wedding, Elizabeth and Sam wanted to create a fun wedding to match both their love and their personalities. They gave their vendor team the creative freedom to make their wedding truly unique. The result was a stunning festival themed wedding.

In collaboration with their wedding planner Honey + Thyme Events, they created an eclectic art-inspired festival wedding with a Ferris wheel, a caricature artist, and a campfire totem pole. Plus, hosting their wedding at Elizabeth’s childhood home made it all the more special.

Honey + Thyme Events’ Thoughts On The Festival Themed Wedding

We used collaborative design boards in the planning process and scheduled dozens of detailed meetings and walk-throughs. We wanted the entire day to feel like a big festival of love. Guests arrived on a trolley to a spacious, private estate. The layout was sprawling and overlooked a pond that reflected the festival lights once the sunset. From the custom cocktail mugs served out of a vintage trailer and the eight-foot dessert wall with a variety of sweets to the caricature artist and campfire totem pole, this was a day we’ll remember forever!   

Keep scrolling to see this colorful and fabulous art-inspired festival wedding as captured by Stephanie Bailey Photography

The Couple:

Elizabeth and Sam

The Wedding:

Mint Hill, North Carolina, USA

 

Getting Married At Her Home

My favorite movie growing up was “Father of the Bride.” I always thought it was magical that Annie got married at her home; it felt so personal and warm. When the time came, I knew there would be no place more special than the house that built me. The cherry on top was our father-daughter dance to “The Way You Look Tonight,” the song that played as the end credits roll from Father of the Bride.

A Late-Night Ferris Wheel Ride

The most memorable part of our day was a late-night Ferris wheel ride. We got to jump the line and take a spin while looking down on our most special day surrounded by our loved ones. This gave us the chance to take a moment to think about the end of our perfect day and the start of our lives together!

Wedding Planning Advice

Planning is part of the wedding experience. Don’t try to wish it away or just “get through it.” A wedding is so much more than just a day or a party—it’s a culmination and expression of love and commitment. Treasure that limited time of anticipation for your celebration and union!

Food Fit For A Festival Themed Wedding

We had fun food nods to our festival theme with cotton candy, candy apples, popcorn, late-night pretzels, and a popsicle cart. Our other food was southern comfort: shrimp and grits, biscuit bar, and banana pudding.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Stephanie Bailey Photography
Event Planning – Honey + Thyme Events
Floral Design – Seeded Events + Design
Catering – QC Catering
Cake – Button Bakery
Live Music – Epic Proportion via East Coast Entertainment
Videography – Lucky Penny Films
Makeup Artist – Bel Fiore Beauty
Wedding Dress – Meagan Kelly Designs
Rentals – Cooke Rentals

 

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Seth on their festival themed wedding! Major shout out to the vendor team for creating this wedding, and to Stephanie Bailey Photography for sharing this day with us. Create your own unique and fun wedding with our ultimate guide to planning a unique wedding.

COVID-Conscious Wedding With Greenery Everywhere *

COVID-Conscious Wedding With Greenery Everywhere *

Luscious greenery, DIY bouquets and boutonnieres, and a quaint backyard reception—we can’t think of a better COVID-conscious wedding than Stephanie and Stephen’s. Although it wasn’t their first choice of venue, this smaller celebration proved that shifting your original plans can be done beautifully. And with a backyard as luscious as this one, we don’t blame them for opting for this venue. 

Not only were they utilizing an incredible venue, but this DIY couple literally made their own wedding dreams come true. From creating individual charcuterie boards to having a custom beer brewed, every detail of this wedding was unique and thoughtful. Stephen and Stephanie truly made their wedding day their own and had fun along the way. Thankfully, J.Olson Weddings captured every laugh and every detail of this COVID-conscious wedding. Get ready to see nature working its magic and get your Pinterest ready.

The Couple:

Stephanie and Stephen

The Wedding:

Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Have Fun And Savor Important Details

You can have fun no matter where you are if you’re with your person! We feared the pandemic conditions would make our wedding less special and less fun, so we spent a lot of time on a few key details that were really important to both of us. We really wanted to have some of our best people around us, take photos by the Mississippi River, and have really great food for our guests. It made it easy to let go of the big wild ideas that weren’t as important, and we were able to have fun and savor those most important details.

Choosing A COVID-Conscious Wedding

Pre-pandemic, we’d picked a nearby wooded park with a lodge that had a great way of showcasing nature with some hiking trails and a small lake nearby. When we shelved our ‘big party’ and our venue along with it, some generous family members who live down the street from us offered up their backyard, and it seemed perfect! They have a gorgeous flower and vegetable garden, which provided a comfortable and COVID-safe way to still enjoy a little nature in our day without the stress of navigating the logistics of a typical venue. The proximity to our homemade it really easy to shuffle décor and food back and forth as well! And of course, living in Minnesota, the weather is not always cooperative, and we were lucky to have the foresight to rent a tent so we could escape the rain while enjoying our garden party celebration

Pre-Toast Mad-Libs 

A friend gave us a goofy idea to have wedding mad-lib letters to the couple for guests to fill out since social distancing was bumming us out. We were skeptical, but went with it, and made a copy for each guest and invited them to read their mad-libs aloud before official toasts. We were in stitches laughing at the silly things our family and friends came up with, and it warmed up the crowd for the best lady and dude of honor speeches from our siblings.

DIY Florals And Charcuterie Boards

There were a lot of DIYs that made our wedding magical—honestly, they were some of the best parts! We selected our own flowers from a floral market and picked some wild sweet fern to hand-tie our own bouquets and boutonnieres, in addition to table arrangements.  We found a great Esty shopLeaf Décor—that makes forest-themed art that we used for table escort cards along with some leaf clippings from local trees that Stephen’s dad snipped the day before our wedding. Plus, we asked around for family members to collect enough wooden cutting boards to make individual charcuterie boards, which were assembled with top-notch wild venison salami.

Handmade Cakes And Custom Brews

A close friend bakes cakes on the side. So, we asked her to create a custom wedding cake with our favorite flavors—lemon, blueberry, and rosemary. It was gorgeous and delicious. We also had a family member who brews beer make a custom brew for our wedding. It was a Maple Marzen called “The Perfect PH”, which was made with maple syrup we harvested and produced on some family property.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – J.Olson Weddings
Ceremony Venue – St. Stanislaus Church
Floral Design – Market Flowers MPLS
Catering – Mucci’s Italian
Cake – Sierra Baked It
Officiant – Father Dennis Thompson
Live Music – William Van De Crommert
Paper Goods – Leaf Decor
Wedding Dress – Bridal Aisle MN
Groom’s Apparel – Milbern Clothing
Groom’s Ring – Staghead Designs
Bride’s Ring – Ken & Dana Design
Rentals – Après Event Dècor and Tent Rental
Favors – Mademoiselle Miel

Congratulations to Stephanie and Stephen on their perfectly green COVID-conscious wedding. Major shoutout to J.Olson Weddings for capturing and sharing the excitement of this day with us. Loving the idea of a backyard wedding or reception? Check out our ultimate guide to planning a backyard wedding

 

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Jaw-Dropping Oregon Coast Elopement *

Jaw-Dropping Oregon Coast Elopement *

oregon coast elopement

Elopements are considered an alternative wedding style, but thanks to the pandemic more couples are opting for these intimate nuptials.  With only a handful of guests in tow, Cassie and Cintia  Oregon coast elopement proves that love conquers all. And we’re obsessed with the incredible images that Henry Tieu captured of their day. 

Since the couple is from Utah, wedding planner Rain and Pines planned an incredible day filled with little trips and hikes to get to their ceremony and reception spots. These brides looked absolutely stunning in their wedding attire—a colorful suit from Tailor Cooperative and a flowing gown from The Perfect Dress

Keep scrolling to see an Oregon coast elopement that offers a beach and forest setting in one place. 

The Couple

Cassie and Cintia

The Wedding

Oregon, United States

Shop Similar Cufflinks

The Oregon Coast Elopement Menu

We ordered from a restaurant nearby! Everyone picked the dish they wanted so everyone enjoyed a special meal and left with a full stomach. 

Elopement Planning Advice From The Couple

Have fun when you’re planning and make sure you do things for yourself and not to please others. 

Recommended Reading: Wedding boots for adventurous couples

Working With Henry Tieu

Henry was the absolute best. He made the whole process easy and made us comfortable. He was so kind to us and all of our family.

Recommended Reading: Wedding vow books to fill with your love and keep your phones out of your wedding photos

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Henry Tieu
Event Planning & Floral Design & Officiant & Cake – Rain and Pines
Wedding Dress – The Perfect Dress Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – Tailor Cooperative
Rings – J Brooks Jewelers

Congratulations to Cassie and Cintia on their Oregon coast elopement! We’re so glad Henry Tieu was able to capture the day and share it with us. Ready to plan your own coastal “I do’s?” Get started with our elopement planning guide to ensure your day is as beautiful and unique as your love.

 

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Bright And Beautiful Cape Cod Backyard Micro Wedding *

Bright And Beautiful Cape Cod Backyard Micro Wedding *

Will we ever tire of backyard micro weddings? Probably not, especially with a quaint one like this. Bethany and Jeff opted for a more intimate wedding surrounded by their closest friends and family. With a naturally bright and green landscape, this couple created a backyard micro wedding that included a bold blue color palette, strung lights, and crisp white florals. We also loved seeing Jeff in a bright blue suit—we’re suckers for a colorful suit moment.

With the help from wedding planner Cape Cod Celebrations, their backyard was transformed into a gorgeous wedding venue. Complete with a minimalistic wedding altar and a reception in a pitched tent, this wedding was absolutely dreamy. If you’re planning a micro wedding of your own, get ready to pin images from Lynne Reznick, who captured this ceremony beautifully.

The Couple:

Bethany and Jeff

The Wedding:

Yarmouth Port, MA USA

Planning A Backyard Micro Wedding

We wanted a big, fun party where our guests felt important and welcomed, but I also wanted to incorporate thoughtful details. I wanted to get married on the Cape because it’s been an important part of my life and an important place for my family. We also only wanted to include wedding traditions that felt meaningful to us. The elements we chose to include were homages to our relationship and the people who matter to us. I was raised Catholic and Jeff is Jewish, but we ended up deciding not to include aspects of either religion’s wedding ceremony. The plans for the big, fun wedding changed, but the emphasis on guest experience and having the event be a reflection of us did not.

Tear-jerking Handwritten Vows 

The most memorable moment for me was our vows. Although we were always planning to write our own, we somehow ended up on opposite ends of the house writing them the day before the wedding. They were hard to write! But I’m so glad we stuck to our plan. Exchanging them in front of such an intimate group made them even more special. The ceremony was very emotional for Jeff, which is a side not often seen of him. I didn’t know if he was going to make it through his, but he did!

Changing Wedding Plans

I’m really proud of how we pivoted our original plans and put the safety of our guests first. It allowed our families to play a starring role in the day—likely a larger role than they may have played in the original plan. We got married at my Aunt Mairead and Uncle Bob’s house—two of the most important people in my life. My uncle Bob, who is also my godfather, officiated our ceremony.

Advice for Planning A Micro Wedding

For couples in a similar position—wondering how to pivot in these uncertain times—my advice would be to ensure all of the elements you care about are still present, even if it looks different. After 2020, it is important to not take anything for granted. So if certain things matter to you, my advice is to do them, even if you feel silly wearing a silk ball gown in a backyard with your immediate family. You won’t regret it. And no one will bat an eye if you wear that dress again at your larger celebration if you choose to have one later.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Lynne Reznick
Event Planning – Cape Cod Celebrations
Floral Design – Leslie Lee Floral Design
Catering – Cape Cod Private Dinners
Videography – Harborview Studios
Invitation Design – Minted
Makeup Artist – Alexandra Dale Makeup
Hair Styling – Crystal Pray Hair
Wedding Dress – Romona Keveza from Allegria Boston Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Jenny Yoo
Groom’s Apparel – Indochino
Rings – Adamas
Rentals – True North Event Rentals
Favors – Modern Vintage

Congratulations to Bethany and Jeff on their Cape Cod backyard micro wedding. And a major shout out to Cape Cod Celebrations for sharing this day with us. Planning a micro wedding or a backyard wedding? Check out our ultimate guides for planning a micro wedding and planning a backyard wedding

 

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A Pacific Northwest Elopement With Lots Of Lace *

A Pacific Northwest Elopement With Lots Of Lace *

If the long lace wedding dress and terracotta-colored suit weren’t enough to Pin this wedding, then the backdrop of this Pacific Northwest rainforest elopement will definitely do the trick. Chelsea and Rafael flew from Florida to the Pacific Northwest to tie the knot in the way they’ve always envisioned—a dreamy rainforest elopement. But when fires struck the West Coast, they began to worry. With the help of their photographer, Oshen Davidson Photo, this adventurous couple chose to rent an RV and explore the Pacific Northwest leading up to their elopement while Oshen checked the trails. Their wedding day began with getting ready at their campsite, and ended with a stunning picnic, featuring a charcuterie board and the cutest mini cake. If you’re dreaming of an elopement, or are opting for one—à la the global pandemic—then let this Pacific Northwest rainforest elopement give you the push in the elopement direction.

The Couple:

Chelsea and Rafael

The Wedding:

Olympic National Forest, Quinault, Washington, USA

The Bride’s Favorite Memory

I think it’s safe to say for the both of us that there were many parts of the day we’ll hold dear forever. The picnic we had beside the waterfall while we listened to all our favorite love songs is definitely up there for me. Or when we finally got back to camp, shared a beautiful dinner beneath the stars, and played dominos while drinking wine late into the night.

The Groom’s Memorable Moments

Getting ready together was special for me. It’s not traditional to get ready but I highly recommend it. Helping each other look and feel the best while listening to music gave us such a sense of peace and it was a fun start to our big day. I left before her so we could still do a first look. When she tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to see my beautiful bride, I knew everything in the world would be alright from there.

Wedding Advice For Elopers

Try not to rush the moments. We only planned for a month or so and it was gone before we could blink. Slow it down, soak it up, and enjoy it. Your day is about you and your love together. Of course we would have loved for our family to have been there and witnessed our big day, but at the end of it all, the intimate memories we created were just what we wanted our marriage to embody.

A Pacific Northwest Rainforest Elopement

I had always wanted to travel to the Pacific Northwest. It has been at the top of my list of adventures, specifically the Hoh Rainforest. When I showed Rafael, he was in awe instantly and said, “let’s go!” 

Shop similar bolo ties: Agate bolo tie ($29.99); Aquamarine bolo tie ($19); Labradorite bolo tie ($38.59)

Shop similar wedding dresses: kimono sleeve wedding dress ($419); BHLDN Odalis Gown ($1,295); boho kimono style wedding dress ($199)

DIY Boho Accessories

Given our boho fashion choices for the day, he didn’t want to wear a traditional tie. I had mentioned wearing a bolo tie so he decided to make one! He then surprised me with a beautiful necklace as well. Both our accessories have precious gems inside of labradorite and ruby-zoisite. It’s something we can hold on to forever.

The Wedding Team:

Photography and Planning- Oshen Davidson and Josh Randle
Venue – Olympic National Forest
Floral Design – Fleurae Floral Design
Cake – Sift and Gather
Officiant – Another One Ties The Knot
Wedding Dress – Reclamation
Rentals – Yay! Parties & Co

Congratulations to Chelsea and Rafael on their gorgeous Pacific Northwest rainforest elopement. And a major shoutout to Oshen Davidson for capturing and sharing this day with us. If you’re ready to elope now, check out our ultimate elopement planning checklist to get started!

 

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