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A sunset beach portrait session, a memorable drive in a vintage convertible, and a reception so rowdy that the cops were called. Lindsey and Drew’s Jekyll island micro wedding was unforgettable, to say the least. With the help of friends and family, the couple planned a DIY wedding at Jekyll Island United Methodist Church before partying the night away in a small yet lively reception at an Airbnb.
Using deep orange and red sunset-inspired decor they ordered online, along with florals arranged by Gray Harper, Lindsey and her sister transformed the backyard into a space where the beach met the desert for a unique COVID-conscious experience. So whether you’re looking to host your own creative micro “I do’s,” or you just want a little backyard wedding inspo, these portraits captured by Ben and Vicky Photography are sure to inspire.
We knew we wanted something special that represented our relationship while also being close enough to our guests after both of us living out of state for seven years. Jekyll Island was a destination wedding idea while still being home–an adventure while still holding nostalgia. It was a place we attempted a camping trip in 90+ degree weather one summer when we first started dating in college. It was familiar and still held its own mysterious magic we had yet to fully uncover.
A Memorable Drive In The Convertible
Driving home from the beach in our rented convertible, my head resting on Drew’s lap, and the star canopy the only thing in sight. We reflected on the day and took in the surrealness of the moment. Just as I started to feel a dip in the overwhelming emotions of the day, I sat up to see our whole family with sparklers waiting for us at the front of our Airbnb backyard reception. The song I picked to play, “Bittersweet Symphony,” carried over the sparks. Tears filled my eyes with an appreciation of our loved ones there who helped us make this day special and at how far we had come to get to this point of bliss. It was the perfect song for the perfect moment that will last forever.
Putting Together A DIY Wedding With The Help of Family
Our wedding was one big DIY project! We were originally supposed to have our wedding reception at Jekyll Island Club Resort, but due to COVID, we decided to cut down our wedding to our immediate family members. We ended up having a backyard Airbnb reception with our own setup, string light production included. I had our decor delivered to my parent’s house in Georgia. My sister and I laughed with relief while we unboxed decor—everything was what I had envisioned. I can’t thank her enough for helping this vision become a reality!
Getting The Police Involved
Our reception got the cops called on us, which really had us laughing since it was a gathering of under 15 people–seniors included! We had to unexpectedly move back to our other Airbnb with a pool that was closer to the beach. Not too shabby! Our night ended with a dance party by the pool, beach walk, and a family huddle that we’ll all treasure for our lifetime.
Congratulations again to Lindsey and Drew on their Jekyll Island micro wedding! Big thank you to Ben and Vicky Photography for sharing their special day with Junebug. To get started on planning your own micro nuptials, check out our guide to hosting a creative micro wedding!
When every detail in a wedding feels important it can seem like there are no alternatives when you’re forced to downsize. If changing up the plan is outside of your hands, a dream wedding can still come true with the help of an incredible vendor team and a group of friends! Like many couples planning nuptials during the pandemic, Mariella and Tom had to pivot their plans from a traditional wedding to a micro ceremony. Their gorgeous and edgy micro wedding was planned in just 48 hours and there are too many beautiful details to count.
Between the bride’s jumpsuit and the incredible venue, we’re having a hard time choosing our favorite aspects of this wedding. We love how the dark and moody floral arrangements complement The Joker—their venue and where they had one of their first dates! We’re so thankful that Epic Love Story was there to capture this, well, truly epic love story. Keep scrolling to see a confetti toss we’ll be thinking about for years to come.
At first, when we were planning our original wedding that was canceled due to COVID, every last detail felt so important. In the end, it turns out that just being able to finally call each other husband and wife was the most important thing. We felt so lucky that all our family could be there with such short notice, too. It was amazing having them there.
The Joker Was The Perfect Edgy Venue
We had one of our very first dates at The Joker in Brighton, we also had our engagement party there. So it felt very sentimental to celebrate our love in this same location.
Wedding Planning Advice For Other Couples
We think it’s important to let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect because it’s not going to be! It’s still going to be amazing, though.
What’s It Like To Work With Epic Love Story?
Working with Emma was amazing! She’s so fun and makes you so relaxed, it feels like a friend is taking your pictures.
Congratulations to Mariella and Tom on their perfectly edgy micro wedding! We’re so glad that Epic Love Story was there to capture every detail of this day. If you’re looking to host your own edgy and untraditional wedding, check out our list of wedding traditions you can skip.
There’s nothing cuter than couples tying the knot at the place where they met for the first time–and that’s exactly what Dylan and Jeff did after their large summer wedding was postponed. The couple transformed Eden–an American eatery in Chicago–into a wedding venue full of roses and pampas grass arranged by Flowers for Dreams, muted grey decor, and candles galore.
Dylan looked timeless in her Bec + Bridge satin gown–which was initially her rehearsal dinner dress–and Jeff paired perfectly with the decor thanks to his grey ASOS suit. And although it’s a small detail, we love how lovestruck Dylan looked in the heart-shaped glasses she donned at the reception. So if you love killer wedding fashion, dreamy decor, and romantic tablescapes, you’re going to want to see these photos captured by We Are The Bowsers.
We wanted–and needed–to keep the wedding small, and my original wedding dress was a little too “grand” for a 15 person wedding, so I decided to wear the dress I purchased for the rehearsal dinner. This satin Australian-made gown by Bec + Bridge was almost too perfect with what we were going for.
Walking Down The Aisle With The Bride’s Father
Even though the aisle was only three rows long, I still wanted the experience of walking down the aisle with my dad. We walked down the aisle to ‘Crazy Love’ by Van Morrison. And although the aisle was short, the feeling of seeing my man staring back at me was just the best.
A Pantone Color Palette Wedding At A Memorable Spot
As soon as we decided to elope, I envisioned the day with our immediate family sitting around one large table, eating great food and drinking great wine. I loved that our family and friends went around the table as we were eating, sharing memories about us and their well wishes. The restaurant we chose was where we had our first date. We actually got married in the exact spot that we met for the very first time. The restaurant is also gorgeous and lent itself well to our vibe.
Congratulations again to Dylan and Jeff on their neutral and Pantone color palette wedding at Eden. Big thank you to We Are The Bowsers for sharing it with us. If you’re hosting your own micro wedding, check out our guide on how to host a creative micro wedding.
A touching first look, a ceremony overlooking all of Yosemite, and an elopement picnic to celebrate–Madison and Dallas’ DIY Yosemite elopement was the perfect combination of boho and adventurous. Despite the National Park being closed due to COVID and wildfires, the couple made their dream day come true, and we can’t get enough of it.
From the hand-written vows to the cliffside portraits captured by Wesley Harden to a DIY charcuterie board, every detail was carefully planned out by the newlyweds themselves. So keep scrolling to see how these two proved that although wedding planning can be quite the climb, the view from the top is always worth it.
We are an adventurous couple—always hiking and traveling. We chose Yosemite because it’s beautiful and we had never been there previously, but now it’s a special place we can visit as often as we would like!
All Odds Were Against Them
We’re so proud of the fact that the wedding even happened. All the odds were against us, with COVID closing the park and wildfires shutting the park down as well. We’re so proud that we made it happen so beautifully.
A DIY Elopement Picnic Set-Up
I DIYed our table setup, I was quoted $1700 for a simple tablescape, so I went to World Market and replicated it with my own flare for a fraction of the cost. We also brought in everything for the charcuterie board.
Congratulations again to Madison and Dallas on their DIY Yosemite elopement! Thank you to Wesley Harden for sharing their special day with us. If you’re planning your own elopement, be sure to check out our ultimate elopement planning checklist to get started.
With a shared love of travel, Jessica and Jonathan knew they would say “I do” in one of their favorite countries–Mexico. After settling on Hacienda Yaxcopoil–without ever seeing it in person–the couple’s dreamy glamorous old-Hollywood day came to fruition thanks to planner Tailor Made Dreams. With simple rattan decor and orchids and Calla Lilies arranged by Pure Love Floral, the focus remained on the beauty of the venue’s lush palm trees and old-world facade.
Along with the natural decor, we can’t stop dreaming about Jessica’s Pronovias gown, which she fell in love with because “the subtle beading reminded [her] of palm fronds,” which matched the hacienda’s greenery beautifully. Not to mention Jonathan looked Rico Suave in his cream linen Suit Supply tux, perfect for the warm Mexican sunshine.
So get those bags packed (and don’t forget the sunscreen) because this wedding–beautifully captured by Ana Hinojosa–will transport you right into the heart of the jungle.
Destination wedding or not, don’t compromise on your vision before finding out if it’s possible! I wasn’t sure my vision would work out, but after exploring and talking to a few local wedding planners, I realized it might be. Of course, it requires taking a leap of faith, and you definitely need to do your research and find the right people to help, but we were 100% happy with our wedding and the entire experience around the wedding day.
Why A Merida Destination Wedding
We settled on Merida because we were in awe of its layered history, opulent architecture, and lush landscape. Although we’d traveled to other cities in Mexico, we’d never been to Merida. We had the great fortune of engaging wonderful local wedding planners, Fernanda Sánchez and Yonatan Lara of Tailor Made Dreams. They made the entire process seamless and assuaged our fears about getting married in a foreign city we’d never even been to. Fernanda helped us virtually navigate the myriad of breathtaking haciendas in the region, even making the three hour trip from Playa del Carmen to send us videos of the haciendas. While there are several amazing haciendas in the greater Merida region, each with its own appeal, Hacienda Yaxcopoil was the one that best melded the glamour of old Merida and the natural vibrancy of the Yucatan.
Embracing The Mexican Culture
We loved hearing from so many of our guests how much they loved Merida and what a great time they had. As we had hoped, many of our guests made a short vacation out of our wedding and stayed a few extra days to explore the city, nearby ruins, cenotes, and even nearby towns. It warmed our hearts to see so many of our guests see what we see in Mexico – the wonderful people, amazing food, and endless beauty.
Congratulations again to Jessica and Jonathan on their elegant Merida destination wedding! Big thank you to Ana Hinojosa for capturing the beauty of the day. We know that planning destination weddings can be confusing, which is why we’ve gathered destination wedding etiquette tips you need to know!
Even in 2021, it’s hard to find gender-neutral wedding songs, let alone a gender-neutral wedding playlist. The world is so binary, especially in the mainstream media. But you’re on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and as such, you want/demand/hope for something that is a bit more unique. As a transhuman, I want to help others find ways to celebrate their love and commitment together, while not feeling awkward as your first dance song plays, singing about a gender that neither you nor your partner identify with!
This playlist was built with pronouns, or the lack-there-of, in mind. As such, a significant amount of modern and even past songs are scratched off the list. These songs can be great for your first dance or even a dance with another significant other such as a parental unit!
However, as a wedding photographer, I’m also avoiding some popular songs because of their insane overuse at weddings. Sorry Bruno Mars, but today just simply isn’t your day. Uhm, if you chose this song, my deepest apologies. I’ve just been to way more events than you have, I guarantee.
But ignore my hypocritical ass, because I love the shit out of “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. Makes me choke up every time. I’m also a massive sucker for “Fools Rush In,” by any singer. That is probably my favorite and my skin is covered in goosebumps every time I hear it! It does mention, “men,” but I take it in abstract form. I’m sure you’ll find something to love on this LGBTQIA+ wedding playlist. These gender-neutral wedding songs are on repeat for me!
