Authentic. Raw. Organic. Those are the things that Taylor + Kris wanted to focus on at their wedding. To make that happen, they escaped to the woods; Bailey’s Palomar Resort on Palomar Mountain, to be exact. She shares: I wanted to create a wedding where in the midst of it, I forgot I was in the middle of a big production; forgot about all the people, all the work that went into it, and I was just present with my best friend.
We also decided on the mountains because we wanted our love story to be so distinguishable compared to our everyday lives. We live by the ocean, but we got engaged in the mountains under a waterfall, and we said I do in the mountains under trees. I didn’t want my wedding to be on the beach, just like every other day. I wanted it to be a destination that we had to work for, because our marriage is something I always want to work for.
How sweet is that sentiment? Without further ado, let’s head to the mountains in the snaps by Autumn Nicole Photography! Oh…and just wait til you see what she decided to do right in the middle of her reception!! It’s a first for us for sure! :)
The First Look
How dreamy is that gown from Spell Designs?!
The sweetest moments shared together for their first look!
Their Ensembles
Kris donned a cool suit paired with a stylish bolo tie.
A walk in the woods…
The Wedding Party
Keeping things simple and sweet, all the bridesmaids rocked white frocks + carried bouquets made of textured greenery + seeded eucalyptus.
Yep, this is one stylish bunch indeed!
The Ceremony in the Woods
I'd say the most memorable thing about our wedding day was how much fun it was. When I say fun, I mean when my husband and I got back to our Airbnb, we just sat on the floor laughing and repeating, "Wow, that was fun!"
It's so hard to pick just one memorable moment amongst our first look, our first dance, not having bread for or first communion because a forest creature ate it, or even having everyone join us on the dance floor for the father daughter dance to Bohemian Rhapsody. But if I had to just pick one, I'd say it was the moment Kris and I walked back up the aisle and I held on to his arm with a tear running down my face because for the first time I was holding onto my husband. It was the most surreal thing to get to the end of the path and look back at the ceremony and remember, "It really came together, and it's done. And now, we're in this forever."
Processional: God Only Knows/You Are My Sunshine Mashup by Amanda Dahlin
Recessional: At Last Sung by Amanda Dahlin
First Dance: How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You Sung by Amanda Dahlin
The Reception
Here is where the rustic + raw part took place—a cozy reception in this cabin!
Escort cards took the form of these adorable succulent favors!
Carousel
Carousel
Taylor and her dad chose to dance to “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen…and it was the absolute SWEETEST! Taylor tells us: My dad + I loved just singing the song to each other and it was like our “thing,” you know? Then it started that any time we heard the song and weren’t together we would call each other and not even say a word but just set the phones down and listen to it together. I would even do it at school dances, or if I called him at work he’d always pick up and listen with it on his desk.
When I got older and started to travel for a while at a time with Kris, any time I called him it meant to him that I was still his and I’m doing alright. It grew into a way that he could know that I’m still his little girl even though I’m off in the world running around.
The dance was one of the most special moments, and then (naturally) every single guest started singing along and eventually joined them on the dance floor!
Something's going to go wrong. Something always does. The best piece of advice I got was to look forward to "your thing." The story you will forever tell when you think back on your wedding—look forward to it! Be excited! Think: "What will go wrong that I can laugh at. I hope it's something ridiculously bad so I can have the best story to tell my kids." Make it something fun rather than a daunting fear. Embrace every aspect of what this day brings, because all in all, even with all the wrongs of the day, it's going to be the best day of your life.
Taylor shares: I had been wanting to cut my hair off for a year and a half, but waiting, knowing I wanted long hair for my wedding. I decided the morning after, I’d chop it all off. The impatience and adventurous spirit that drives my husband and I got the best of me, and as soon as the sun went down, I had the realization that all the main photoshoots were over… I grabbed my friend who styled my hair, the photographer, and of course my husband and ran into the house, where my husband chopped off about 10 inches of hair!
When we returned to the dance floor, I entered a new woman. This, although spontaneous, was such a gem to the day because not only was I a newly Mrs., I felt like I was leaving a part of me behind and entering into a new season. With a few shocked congrats and a ton of love, I whipped my short hair around on the dance floor with the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the night.
Cheers to the two of you!
photography: Autumn Nicole Photography // venue name: Bailey's Palomar Resort, Palomar Mountain, California, USA // wedding dress: Spell Designs
Whatever floats your boat!
You both are looking made for each other. I really like the suit of the groom and the dress of the bride. I don’t like the idea of cutting hair during reception but I think it will become a memorable moment of your wedding for you.
Beautiful detail and location – So dreamy!
Gorgeous wedding guys !
♥♥