It’s taken me longer than it should have to sit down and write this post, but how can I put into words the happiest day of my life? Even thinking about it several months later, I am filled with so many emotions.
Probably the best place to start is at the very beginning…
I met my husband 7 years ago when I was still in college and he was running a local Italian restaurant. We spent the first years of our relationship in the charming little college town where I went gone to school. It was the perfect place to nurture our deepening relationship. We loved it there, but in time outgrew the quiet community, and were in search of new opportunities. In 2018 we decided to buy and renovate our first home in Columbus.
We had always talked about marriage but I never felt the need to rush into it, as I knew I had found my soul mate and the person I would spend my life with. When the time was right, he took me to our favorite spot on a secluded beach near our vacation home in Marco Island, got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife. Later that night we went out to dinner at one of my favorite oceanside restaurants with my parents. It was the perfect proposal in every way.
Being that we are both shy and private people, a small wedding had always been priority for us. We had also often talked about elopement. Because of personal family reasons, our wedding had to happen quickly. It was also very important to us that our immediate family (parents, and my brother) all be there. So, we did get our wish of an intimate ceremony with an attendance of 11 including us, the officiant, and the photographer.
I was so excited to get married to the love of my life! We selected June 10th as our special day, and started planning immediately. Planning a wedding quickly, or at all, does not have to be a stressful thing! In fact, it can be quite enjoyable. I loved planning our wedding, and found things just fall into place as they need to.
My biggest tip for other brides to be is to make lists. Map out everything you need to accomplish and when you need to do it. Work a little bit everyday so you don’t get burned out. My second biggest tip is to remember who this wedding is about. It’s about YOU and your love. What you want as a couple, and not about anyone else. My third tip is to romanticize every minute of your wedding planning process and engagement. You are a fiancé and bride to be! This is a beautiful time in your life, embrace it.
Another thing I found to be critical was hiring a wedding planner/coordinator, for the day of the wedding at the very least. I was so lucky to find an officiant that was able to perform the type of ceremony we wanted, and also serve as a wedding planner. She took so much stress off of my mind, and had back up plans for every situation.
The wedding industry often likes to promote the idea that planning a wedding quickly is impossible and/or disastrous. Having worked in this industry for years, I really believe this is just another way for them to make even more money from you. I am here to tell you with proper planning, it is actually very possible and cost effective. When you have to make decisions about planning swiftly and confidently, it doesn’t leave room for you to question yourself. Let vendors know up front about your time frame, and if they cannot do it, just move on to the next. You will find that there is an endless list of vendors in every category. What is meant to be will be. Trust that everything will be perfection, and it will be.
Here is the timeline for planning our wedding that you can use as a guide:
March 3rd 4:13pm – proposal, engagement dinner. watch the vlog here
March 8th – Wedding gown shopping in Miami and celebratory lunch. Read about it here
March 14th –Pick up of my beautiful Mira Zwillinger wedding gown of my dreams and celebratory dinner
March 15th – Contact Wedding planner
March 20th – Contact potential wedding photographers
March 22nd – Book Wedding Planner, Venue, and finalize wedding date.
March 23rd- Book honeymoon and wedding photographer
March 24th – Engagement Photos at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami. Read about it here
April 16th – Begin wedding dress alterations
May 12th – 2nd wedding Dress alterations appointment
May 19th – Final dress alterations appointment
May 31st – Final phone meeting with wedding planner/ officiant
June 1st – Food ordered for the reception
June 10th 2pm -wedding
June 11th – first day of honeymoon
Our wedding venue was the beautiful 8th Ave South Wedding Beach Park in Naples, Florida. Nestled privately between gorgeous mansions and palm trees, with a view of the ocean. There couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for our union. I had not wanted a beach wedding where I would actually be on the sand because I didn’t want my dress and shoes to get ruined. This park offered the perfect paved setting with a view, and was extremely accessible for my guests.
After the ceremony, B and I took our photos around the historic Naples area, then joined our family and fur babies for dinner beside the pool at our house. We got pizza from our favorite local Italian restaurant, and had key lime pie in place of wedding cake. Later that evening we left for our honeymoon in the Florida Keys (honeymoon blog coming soon!).
I have never felt more blissful or utterly at peace, than on our wedding day. It was like being in the most beautiful dream you never want to wake up from. I recommend getting up early on the day of your wedding. Spend time alone relaxing, reflecting, and connecting deeply to your feminine energy. Enjoy the process of getting ready and take your time. I was very lucky that my husband completely took charge on our wedding day, so that I could have this time. He had made maps and itineraries for everyone, and made sure everything was in place. He ran around all morning doing last minute errands, and I did not see him again until I was walking towards him to say “ I do.”
I honestly do not remember much from this day other than it being a blur of happiness, sunshine, family, the ocean, and the deepest love for another I have ever felt.
Having a small elopement style wedding certainly has it’s pros and cons. For us, it was definitely the right decision, because of my family situation and our personalities. Another huge benefit of having this type of wedding is the cost. Instead of going into debt, we were actually able to make a significant amount of money that we plan to invest for the future, while still having the wedding and honeymoon of our dreams.
There is absolutely nothing I would change about my wedding day. The only thing I regret, is that I cannot relive it.
List of vendors:
Planning and Officiating: Weddings Made Simple
Wedding Venue: 8th Ave South Park
Wedding Photographer: Charest Photography
Wedding Gown: Mira Zwillinger
Bridal Shop: Chic Parisian
Bridal Alterations: Merge
Engagement Photographer: Leo Photographers
Engagement Photos Location: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Engagement Dress: AZAZIE discount code
Reception Dinner: Davide
I hope this post was able to provide you with some insight and inspiration for your own wedding day. If you would like to see more wedding, fashion, and lifestyle content, check out my Instagram @_sincerelylovely
