A Beatles Inspired Wedding: Carmen + Pete, Part 2

In case you missed part one of their wedding, make sure you check that out first! And now onto their portraits and reception – and to those of you planning your wedding right now, be sure to read their advice, it’s really sweet + I think super helpful. :) And don’t you just love the giant heart Jesi Haack Designs created as the ceremony backdrop!?

bride and groom at heart shaped altar

bride and groom at heart shaped altar

bride and groom with mr. and mrs. signs

bride and groom with mr. and mrs. signs

bride and groom beatles wedding

bride with teal flower hairpiece

dessert table pennant

cassette tape escort cards

beatles dinner menu list

While the main dinner served organic and healthy fare, they also included a taco truck (King Taco) as a late night snack. They wanted to bring in Carmen’s heritage into the food mix, and King Taco was greeted with, perhaps, the loudest applause of the night!

teal and red reception

yellow centerpieces

beatles table numbers

beatles table numbers

The favors were put together by Carmen’s family and consisted of the phrase: “Our Love is Full of ShuGar and Spice. Thank you. The ShuGars!” Included were chocolate covered cherries from Michigan (to represent Pete and his family) and a small bottle of Tapatio Hot Sauce from Mexico (to represent Carmen and her family).

yellow floral centerpieces

music note guest book

dessert bar

Their first dance was “Real Love” (written by John Lennon performed by Regina Spektor). They also had a choreographed bridal party dance to a mix of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and The Beatles’ “Twist & Shout.”

beatles wedding band

And be sure to check out their sweet film from Floataway Studios!

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

From Pete: The wedding day can be very busy, to say the least, and it can pass by extremely fast. Remember to take a few brief moments to say “hello” or share some thoughts with those you love who came to the wedding. If at all possible, have a rehearsal dinner and invite a few extra people. This way you’ll be able to visit with some of them before the wedding. It will be difficult to spend time with everybody during the wedding and reception, so understand that it’s okay if you can’t connect with them all.

From Carmen: I purposely incorporated Pete from the very beginning of the wedding planning process. Even though traditionally men just show up on the day of the wedding and have everything planned for them, I didn’t want that kind of a wedding. I wanted the wedding to be “us” not just “me.” Take time to hear his perspective and his needs. Sometimes his opinions will clash with yours, but you will also be surprised how creative your groom can be. Pete was amazing throughout the whole process and our wedding truly was the story of Pete & Carmen.

I love creativity and art, although I am not a DIY kinda gal. I respect those who are and wish I were, but I just don’t have the talent. Not to worry. That’s what wedding planners or friends/family are for! We were very lucky to find our soul-sister in our wedding planner Jesi Haack. Our families were very busy or lived far away and we didn’t want to bother them with wedding details. Jesi came to the rescue! She literally made our vision a reality. It was so much fun bouncing ideas off of each other. Also, if you can’t afford a planner for the whole process, at least hire a day-of coordinator. It will ease your nerves on the day of your wedding. Jesi & her team took care of it all!

Finally, find inspiration all around you. Discover who you and your groom are as individuals and as a couple. This will help you depict your story. I started every morning with my morning cup of “Green Wedding Shoes” and began to explore the story I wanted to tell in our wedding. Don’t worry if you can’t have the most expensive or creative wedding. Make it about your love and what you love together. In the end, your wedding will be about the union of the two of you and your families, not about your color scheme or the boutonnieres.

p.s. You are bound to argue with your groom throughout the process. Don’t worry; it’s normal. If you don’t fight, you can’t enjoy those beautiful make-up kisses :)

Thank you so much to Carmen + Pete for sharing your beautiful + one-of-a-kind wedding with us today! So happy that your day was truly a reflection of the two of you. :)

vendors:
photography: Ashley Rose // event design + coordination: Jesi Haack Designs // venue: Smog Shoppe // wedding dress: Watters Too purchased at Bella Wedding Bridal, short dance dress from BCBGMAXAZRIA // groom + groomsmen outfits: J Crew // flower girl dresses: handmade by Pete’s mom // shoes: Seychelles bought at Anthropologie // hairpiece: Lo Boheme // floral design: Effusive Flowers // invitations: Posh Paperie // video: Floataway Studios // catering: Eco Caters / taco truck: King Taco // dj: Tony at Red Shoe // dessert bar: Hot Cakes // bouquet: Surroundings Online Jesi Haack // necklace: Jennifer Jones Jewelry // hair + makeup: Susie Chhuor // music: Trio Los Franco, The Backbeats (Beatles cover band) & Al Stewart (surprise guest!)


Ashley RoseSmog ShoppePosh Paperie and Floataway Studios are all featured vendors of Green Wedding Shoes. Check out their vendor profiles to see more of their work or discover other GWS recommended vendors for your wedding day in our Vendor Guide.

Explore: