If you’re just stopping by GWS for the first time today, we suggest you backtrack for just a sec and check out Jess + Matt’s amazing vow reading in Iceland before diving into this feature on their wedding :) Since these two just couldn’t decide if an intimate elopement or a big, festive wedding was right for them, they decided to do both and we are pretty in awe with how they pulled everything off so seamlessly!
J + M say, We couldn’t bare the thought of not involving our closest family and friends to celebrate with us. After spending time alone in Iceland and exchanging vows, we returned with just two days until our wedding. It was the most relaxed two days we had. Everything had been planned, organized and completed 3 weeks prior and we spent the time together, enjoying all the little moments with family & friends without any stress.
Thanks so much to Sarah K Byrne + Dylan M Howell for the gorgeous photos + congrats to the newlyweds on doing their day their way! We just love both of your celebrations so much!!
Jess wore a discontinued $75 Dessy dress, which was 3 sizes too big and altered to fit. Talk about a bargain that certainly doesn’t look like one!
Jess shares, Most of the details at our wedding were hand made by us. We have a shop where we sell handmade pottery and goods for the home. We really wanted our wedding to be a true reflection of us and our relationship and what better way than to furnish our wedding with items from our home. All the kilim pillows, terrariums, sea grass stools, faux fur carpet, brass cups, vases and vintage wood apple crates were all brought in and it was a great way to really add our own personality into the day.
The florals were also DIY, designed by Jess, her mother + sisters. So pretty!
Our Musical Choices
Our Favorite Memory
We put so much effort and love into making our day really reflect us and it was great to see everyone’s reactions to the set up and décor. One of our favourite things about our wedding was the food. We had bbq ribs, chicken, seasonal vegetables as well as local craft beer. We also decided to open up the dance floor with a piñata which we hand made and filled with candy from our childhood (tootsie rolls, popeyes cigarettes, rockets, ring pops, hubba bubba). It was a real hit, pun intended.
Our Advice
Stay true to yourselves and don’t feel like you have to incorporate something just because it’s what others expect of you. We opted out of most of the traditional wedding elements and created a celebration that really reflected our relationship. Our family & friends found the untraditional surprises refreshing and we couldn’t be happier with how our day unfolded.
Wedding Vendors
Venue: The Burroughes // Florals: DIY by mother of bride, bride & sisters // Bride's Shoes: Ecote from Urban Outfitters // Bride's Ring: Specimental // Groom Attire: Topman // Groom's Shoes: Johnston & Murphy // Groom's Ring: Wedgewood Rings // Catering: Barque Smokehouse // Cake: Alicia Chiodo, cousin of groom // Music: Stephen Medhurst, friend of bride & groom // Officiant: Pam Moss from Enduring Promises
