Did you see Morgan + Dave’s epic pre-wedding shoot at Taft Point in Yosemite this morning? If not, you have to pop on over (we promise you’ll be awestruck!) and then head back here for all the actual wedding goodness! You might recognize Morgan as she is the darling wedding designer + planner behind Spreading Lovely — in fact, we featured her engagement session + tips for what to wear in your engagement photos earlier this year.
When it came to planning her own wedding, Morgan + Dave wanted to evoke “emotion, uniqueness and adventure.” She shares: Planning and designing our wedding was insanely fun and so incredibly rewarding to create a day that felt so perfectly “us”. An exercise that I have all my clients do when I’m providing design services, is to figure out the essence of their relationship — how they describe it, how others would describe their partnership, and what their most important aspects are for their day. I use that information to translate into tangible design elements from ceremony design, paper collateral, tablescapes, etc..
Ready to see an event planner + designer’s wedding?! Let’s get lost in the photos snapped by Danielle Poffenbarger!
Meet me in Yosemite…
Morgan seriously ROCKED her lacy Rue De Seine from Lovely Bride SF.
Glitzy boho glam! Morgan’s bridesmaids found their dresses at Anthropologie. We’re seriously *obsessed* with the major pops of color brought in from the bouquets by Michelle Lynwood.
Emotion: We focused a lot of time and energy on our ceremony and utilized one of Vow Muse‘s ceremony templates to get a great base structure to further customize into our own, adding unique things about our relationship throughout, paired with a meaningful reading by a friend and one that incorporated a verse for all of our siblings and our officiant who was there from the beginning of our relationship.
Our venue filled our need for adventure — we wanted an entire weekend with all our guests, not just one day (it goes by too fast!), and hoped to get our guests into a new mindset, away from their work and just be able to focus on the moment in a beautiful location. We wanted our guests to get a mini vacation out of it by taking time to go on adventures up to waterfalls and walks through the valley surrounded by massive granite cliffs.
So much yes!!
As for Dave, he wore one sharp suit from Bonobos, paired with a floral tie. We’re pretty keen on his choice of tie… If you are too, check out our GWS x Neck and Tie Co. collab, which features more floral ties + bow ties!
Way to go to Danielle Poff Photography for sneaking this shot!
Uniqueness: we fulfilled this through utilizing a design that felt all our own; from my boho bridal dress, to our teal velvet linens, custom table numbers and laser cut seating chart, and not to mention a handmade ceremony backdrop by my husband’s best friend!
Most definitely the ceremony — we both walked down with our parents and involved all of our siblings and our nieces and nephews. Dave’s best friend built our ceremony backdrop which felt so special to have something handmade by someone we love where we pledged our promises to each other. Our officiant was in the military with Dave and has seen our relationship since its beginnings, so he was the indisputable choice for our officiant. We spent a lot of time editing and crafting the ceremony to illuminate us both individually and collectively, and the journey of the marriage we strive to have. We had readings by a close friend and a poem that all of our siblings participated in by reading a different verse about what marriage means, all tailored to our own relationship. Throughout the ceremony were focused on each other, and enjoying the moment listening to our friend officiate. Holding and squeezing hands while each of us recited our vows to the other for the first time was incredibly special and emotional, laughing and crying our way through them. Ironically, our ceremony was simultaneously both of our most anticipated event of the day and what we were both most nervous about.
Our vows were the most important part of our day, and I think the time and love we poured into them was evident and set the stage for the rest of the party – our guests could feel the deep emotion we had for each other, and I think having a strong ceremony to lead into the rest of the day really set a beautiful tone for the evening, we had countless guests tell us how there wasn’t a dry eye.
Processional: Wait by M83
Recessional: Sweet Lovin’ by Sigala
First Dance: Halo by Beyoncé
Hello, newlyweds!!
Isn’t Morgan absolutely glowing? Kelly Jones Makeup & Hair kept her locks on point the whole day through.
GO WITH YOUR GUT! This is definitely the best advice I can give. As a planner (and a Type A person in general), I tend to exhaust all my options, and then make what I think is the best, most thoughtfully considered decision. But when it came to being a bride, going with my gut served me so much better than going through too many options. So often, my original instinct was what I truly wanted and what I ended up with! (My dress, our linen choices and my wedding band, to name a few). If you find something you like that fits with your overall aesthetic (or doesn't, and you just feel you have to have it!) then go for it! It is your day, and there is no right way to do it, but there is a wrong way — trying to make everyone else happy and straying from what feels most "you"! Go with your gut and stick to your guns!
Those luxurious tables with the blue velvet that resembles flowing water… So gorgeous!
Featuring a John Muir quote (the man that petitioned for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890 + established Yosemite National Park!) and a seating chart with different iconic hikes around Yosemite, we couldn’t imagine something more perfect for the venue!
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Taft Point — where they took their pre-wedding photos! How darling are all the paper goods that Peanut Press Creative crafted for the day?
Our venue inspired so many of our elements… We incorporated a ton of wood, lots of greenery, textures and Native American-inspired patterns. We felt we created a day that felt completely unique to ourselves, like our own little world.
Cheesecake, for the win!
We LOVE this fun video from Arroyo Films!
Some parting advice from Morgan: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! My mom was my primary sounding board. Maybe its a bridesmaid, or your childhood best friend, pick someone (not 10 people) who understands you and has great style, or understands yours (my mom is an interior design, and totally get’s my visions, and understands how to help me hone them in). I had her help me with things like flower girl outfits, bridesmaid dresses and accessories, looking for groomsmen ties, and deciding between two colors for our table names.
Congrats, Morgan + Dave!! May you have many wild adventures together. :)
photography: Danielle Poff Photography // venue name: Majestic Hotel, Yosemite, California, USA // event design: Spreading Lovely // planning: ETC Events // florals: Michelle Lywood // wedding dress: Rue De Seine // wedding dress boutique: Lovely Bride SF // hairpiece: Emma Katzka Bridal // bride's shoes: Pour la victoire // bride's ring: Heidi Gibson // hair stylist: Kelly Jones Makeup & Hair // makeup artist: Kelly Jones Makeup & Hair // groom attire: Bonobos // groom's ring: Todd Pownell from Esqueleto // videography: Arroyo Films // paper goods: Peanut Press Creative // tabletop rentals: Frances Lane // furniture rentals: The Chiavari Guys // linen rentals: La Tavola // music: Sound In Style // ceremony backdrop: dlr_fabrication // cat cake topper: JasminBlancBoutique // ring box: Waen // custom ceremony toolkit: Vow Muse
Amazing view and fabulous decor! She is so cute! Lovely dresses!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!!
While this is beautiful, it would be heartbreaking if they trampled National Forest protected meadow. When we visited, there were signs prohibiting stepping on the delicate habitat. I pray they were responsible and respectful of wildlife lands.