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Chelsea & Brian: El Encanto Santa Barbara Wedding

Yesterday we shared Chelsea & Brian's sweet Love Story film, and you got a taste of just how beautifully these two express their love for each other. Today, make sure you've got a tissue on hand, because this classically romantic wedding at the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara includes some of the most moving, eloquent vows I have ever heard!

I'm not going to say too much about this wedding, because nobody could say it better than the bride and groom...

This Santa Barbara wedding had it all: classic style, an emotional ceremony, a gorgeous location, and a joyful party crowd! Can you believe that Brian designed the invitations and printed details?

Chelsea and Brian, thank you for your openness and your generosity, for opening your hearts and sharing your love - and your love story - with the world. I am inspired by your words of love and by your dedication to each other. I know that you will only grow in love as you face your next adventure together!

Soundtrack licensed via The Music Bed
"Choose Happy" and "Light Me Up," both by Katrina Stone

Coordinator: A Charming Occasion
Photographer: Candice Benjamin Photography - Click here for the wedding photos!
Venue: Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara
Florals: These Buds a Blooming
Print Materials: Brian {the Groom}
Cake: Aaron Lesch of El Encanto
DJ/Lighting/Photobooth: Ams Entertainment
Makeup Artist: Tomiko Taft
Hair Stylist: Savannah Weninger
Wedding Dress: Allure Couture from Panache Beverly Hills
Bridesmaids Dresses: Von Vonni

DFTBA,
Kiera Faye

An Anniversary AND A Wedding! | Seattle Pike Place Market Elopement

I'm going to advise that you get the tissues out RIGHT NOW because today we're featuring THREE videos of one amazing couple, and you are going to need that kleenex.

In 2011, exactly one year after they started dating, Kim took Jodi to Santa Monica and proposed to her on the top of the ferris wheel. They tell the story much better than I do:

One year ago today - on 12/12/12 - Jodi and Kim got married at Boojum Tree Hidden Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. They declared their union with the coolest glowing unity ceremony ever, and their "neon and bling" celebration was featured on Offbeat Bride. It was a beautiful, emotional day full of love!

But as perfect as the day was, there was still something missing. While their marriage was 100% real in their hearts - and in the eyes of their loved ones - it was not legally recognized. On September 6, 2013, on a business trip to Seattle, Kim took Jodi to Pike Place Market and made their dream come true with another surprise proposal.

Yep, Josh and I even got to act as official witnesses! Surprise wedding FTW!!

Congratulations, Jodi and Kim, on the first of MANY happy anniversaries! As many of your friends have expressed, you two are an inspiration, and a perfect example of what a loving marriage looks like. I am constantly amazed by all the ways that you support and celebrate each other! Josh and I feel so blessed to be your friends, and to tell your story!

DFTBA,
Kiera Faye

Leave a comment of congratulations for this awesome couple!

#TBT: Lisa & Shawn: Pinterest-Free Personalization

In honor of "Throwback Thursday," we'll be featuring some of our favorite wedding stories on the blog, along with some reflection from the couples! I hope these insights from real brides and grooms are helpful to all of you as you plan your own weddings!

We're kicking off this series with a stylish modern Pasadena wedding and a fun-loving couple who found Pinterest-free ways to personalize their day.

From the bride, Lisa: I have a confession to make. It may shame me among brides, wives, and general craft lovers the nation over – but here it goes: I am not a fan of Pinterest. 

Don't get me wrong- I took a peek for "inspiration" on a few things here and there and I loved just about everything I saw. The problem was I loved everything. I wanted it all and tried to fit it all in to our wedding day. When you're going for a simple and modern wedding- trying to squeeze in a paper flower backdrop with ballons and harps was a bit much. 

That's when Shawn and I decided to just delete all my virtual inspiration boards and work on what we wanted; a simple, modern wedding with as much personalization as we could muster. 

That meant doing a lot of things ourselves. One; because we couldn't afford those awesome harps, and two, we didn't want our guests to say "those flowers are on my Pinterest board too!" 

We rolled our figurative sleeves up and dove in. 

We spent many a bottles of wine "pouring" over ideas of how to personalize the weekend- little things like creating escort cards with an inside joke for each guest. It was tedious but deliciously rewarding to see their faces as they compared with other guests- who knew they would double as ice breakers as guests shared their stories with each other!? 

We made our own invitation suite, spent hours creating our "LOVE" sign, had a graphic designer friend create a logo for us, and called in some favors for linens, flip flops, and candy (and a few other hundred details).

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Then came the traditions; how do you personalize a tradition? I'm not sure although I'm sure Pinterest would have some ideas! :) We wanted to honor the requests of our families and make sure pieces of their support were present in our day. For us, the traditions passed on were not grandiose requests of venue, colors, or something we couldn't easily work in. They were simple but meaningful requests; carrying my mother's rosary down the aisle and Shawn and I drinking out of coffee mugs that were replicas of the same mugs his parents used on their wedding day. (although on our wedding day, the coffee may have been replaced with champagne) 

We thought it was nice to be able to do things for them in hopes that our future family will pass on a few traditions we thought of along the way. Like having breakfast with our moms before the craziness starts, or wearing Shawn's personalized cufflinks, or having the bride and groom get a minute or two of dancing with each of the new siblings gained; small things that give a nod to the history of the relationships that have shown us what love and family mean.

 

 

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The most important thing I learned from the year and a half process is that what everyone says is true; weddings are amazing and after all is said and done you get to wake up next to your best friend.  What they don't tell you is to appreicate all the people that support you in the journey. The amazing women who give up their day to assemble flowers, the brothers who hunt for socks, the bridesman and mother in law who are willing to break tradition and go on a fantastic bachelorette party without so much as a "really?…"

For Shawn and I they helped create amazing memories, pushed to us to break a few traditions, carry a few on, and create a few for the future. To them, we owe endless thank you's. 

- Lisa 

 

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 Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your tips and your day with us! I love all the ways that you and Shawn made your wedding day a beautiful reflection of your personalities! Be sure to check out Lisa and Shawn's wedding photos by Candice Benjamin Photography for a close look at all of those fantastic details.

 What do you think of the Pinterest wedding craze? Where are you finding inspiration to personalize your wedding?