Posts Tagged ‘enchanted forest’

From the bride, Robin: After eight adventurous years of dating, Tyler got down on one knee after we hiked to the top of Wayna Picchu, a site overlooking Macchu Picchu. From hiking to train rides to buses, we didn’t have service for days, so we were able to relish in our engagement and begin fantasizing about our wedding. We were in the midst of a three month backpacking journey and started counting how many countries we will have had been to together by the end of the trip, and realized it would be 22. We quickly decided that travel should be the theme of our wedding, and every table should be a country that we have been to together.

I am a very creative person, so it was hard for me to not DIY everything! But honestly, some of the best advice I got was to leave it to the professionals, so week of you can relax and enjoy the moment with everyone. Thus, I just incorporated DIY into a few special, heartfelt areas.

 The venue of our wedding was decided before we were even engaged: my parents’ 400 acre farm in Montana. It was so special and heartfelt to get married at my home.  We had a lot of fun incorporating the things most important to us into our wedding: travel, Montana, music, and friends/family.

Tyler and I are concert junkies in San Francisco, so we knew we needed as much live music as possible, which ended up being all of it! We had a cellist in the secret garden for the entry music and processional. And as soon as we said “I do,” a bag piper started playing (to represent my Scottish heritage!) to escort the guests to cocktail hour. At cocktail hour, we had acoustic guitar, and after that a fiddle player (from the band) escorted the guests to the reception where the rest of the band was waiting to play the rest of the night!

The travel theme was most evident at the reception. Our guest book was a globe, our seating directory was bag tags directing you to a country, travel books and maps were everywhere, and we had photos of us from around the world on all of the tables.

Everyone’s name was painted on a river rock from Glacier National Park and placed on their table setting.  I also photoshopped a greeting and thank you card that was on everyone’s place setting.

I’m sure every bride says this, but it is truly hard for me to pick a favorite memory of the day. Everything was so special, that I was truly blissed out on love for months to follow, just reminiscing every moment and detail. From yoga with my bridesmaids in the morning, to serenading each other with our vows, to Tyler whispering how beautiful I am and how much he loves my dress (win!) during the ceremony.

The dance floor was packed until nearly 2am! I have to admit, I do think we had the best wedding band ever!!

MY ADVICE:
I really struggled with the invite list since we are both from a small town and wanted so many people to be there, but at the same time, wanted that intimate feeling. Looking back at the wedding, I am glad I ended up sending out all of those extra invites and having more smiling faces there to support us. It is not everyday that you get to see everyone you love from all facets of your life get together in one place to support you: relish in that.

Secondly, only look at blogs and Pinterest in the beginning to gather your own ideas, but once you make a decision, move on! You can’t keep second guessing things and changing ideas because you will never get anywhere, and, not to mention, your vendors might get annoyed!

Plus, for me, who was getting married outdoors in Montana, I had to keep remembering that the natural setting is beautiful by itself, so I don’t need to keep stressing about dressing it up. There is something to be said about letting the surroundings speak for themselves.

Thirdly, DIY is great, but also stressful. Even without DIY, the week of your wedding can be overwhelming trying to navigate everyone, see relatives, get ready, RELAX, etc. So incorporate it where you can, and let your vendors do the rest. They are extremely good at what they do – just trust them!

 And lastly, take a few minutes throughout the day and night to soak it all in. Everything is moving so quickly that it is easy to get flustered and let it all slip by you in a whirlwind. Step aside and just look around you to take mental pictures of your hard work, the love that surrounds you, and the best day of your life!

RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photography: Marianne Wiest Photography // Coordination & Styling: Joyce Walkup // Videography: Britney Paige Cinematography // Catering: Cuisine Machine // Liquor: Casey’s Bar & Grill // Band: Savannah Jack // Rentals: The Party Store // Flower & Design: Beargrass Gardens Florals & Events // Photobooth: The Fotowagen // Cake: A Whole Lotta Yum  // Dress: Rue de Seine Bridal // Bridesmaid Dresses: Joanna August // Groom & Groomsmen: J.Crew // Makeup: Kristen O’Leary // Hair: Zachary Morad

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