When we say we LOVE when couples decide to do something different, that’s meaningful to them, instead of following any traditional ‘wedding rules’, we mean it with every fiber in our beings. And if our feelings about it all could somehow manifest into a wedding that represents them perfectly, Meredith + Tyler’s gondola elopement in Long Beach, California might be the most fitting example.
They eloped on April Fools Day, and kept their magical evening intimate; celebrating with only their five-year-old daughter, Rozalyn, and inviting a handful of wedding creatives – who also happen to be friends. Meredith co-owns the photography company Zoom Theory, so her team took the stun-ning photographs, our very own Katie Pritchard event designed the floating celebration, Celebrations of Joy planned the details + officiated the ceremony, and Honey and Poppies decorated the gondola with the most beautiful wild flower inspired blooms; a nod to Meredith’s upbringing in the mountains. We know, we know! This event is an obvious feast for the eyes, but first, let’s hear a little bit more from Meredith about this dreamy, dreamy day:
My vision was to have a stress free simple ceremony with just the three of us that was intimate and in a meaningful location. The best part is our wedding was all of those things and we had so much fun together. Tyler and I have been together for nine years and have a five year old daughter Rozalyn. She might have been the most excited about the wedding and kept it a secret from everyone. We live in the canals in Naples Long Beach and the water is our happy place. So naturally we were drawn to the idea of getting hitched in a gondola essentially in our backyard. We all got ready together in our home on the afternoon of April 1st and just walked outside at 5pm to find a floating meadow waiting for us.
Three seconds in and we’re already obsessed with this beautiful setting! Those flowers, right?!
How sweet is that seashell ring box?!
M surprised Tyler + Rozalyn with their favorite local singer and songwriter Kevin Miso.
Our exchange of vows in the canals where we live tops my most memorable moment. I knew our elopement would be intimate and right for us but I didn't anticipate how connected and incredible I would feel when my husband read his heartfelt hand written vows to me. My second most memorable moment was with my daughter who was the flower girl, ring bearer and secret keeper. She was so full of joy and excitement she screamed out "YES" before the officiant finished asking if she approved of her parents marriage. Melted my freaking heart. The best part is that we have the most beautiful film including these moments and every time we watch it we both cry.
We had to share this sweet bit from Meredith: Pre-wedding, Rozalyn took on the maid of honor role hugging me and squeezing my hand telling me not to be nervous it was going to be fun marrying daddy and she was right. It was SO MUCH FUN.
Meredith is obsessed with caramel macaroons, so they had Sweet and Saucy beautifully hand-paint their family silhouettes + wedding date on macarons. And that adorable watercolor floral cake is from Lido Bakery!
If you’re eyeing Meredith’s perfect elopement dress, she snagged it from Anthropologie – it’s the Carissima Sheath by Byron Lars!
M + T say, After the ceremony we all went to our house for a four course dinner prepared by a pirate chef from Fork in the Road Catering. We ate on my parent’s wedding china and laughed all night long. Everything was planned in about a month. It really was better than I could have dreamed. We spent the following week in Oahu on the North Shore and told everyone when we returned. We’re still glowing and on cloud nine over here!
See even more in the awesome film below by Hoo Films!
Don't feel like you have to make a choice based on someone else's style or ideas. Dig deep to figure out what space and environment seems most authentic to you both. Finding the right people that understand your vision is everything. We didn't have any stress because we were surrounded by hand picked industry professionals that made our wildest dreams literally come true. Don't be afraid to create or design something really special even if only a few people are present. If you're on the fence about eloping or having a traditional wedding JUST ELOPE it's so worth it, but DO make sure to have it filmed. We were able to share our film with family and friends and they all tearer up and said it made them feel like they were included which meant everything to them and us.
photography: Zoom Theory // location: Gondola Getaway Naples Long Beach, California // event design: Katie Pritchard // event planning, officiant: Celebrations of Joy // florals: Honey and Poppies // wedding dress: Beguile by Byron Lars from Anthropologie // earrings: Virgins, Saints and Angels // shoes: Stuart Weitzman // flower girl dress: Ella Moss // hair + makeup: Dana Thompson – [email protected] //groom’s suit: Mattucci Tailors // videography: Hoo Films // catering: Fork in the Road Catering // vow books: BHLDN // cake: Lido Bakery // macarons: Sweet and Saucy // music: Kevin Miso // rentals: Found Vintage Rentals // wine: OneHope Weddings // rings: Claude Morady
Um dos casamentos mais lindos que já vi na vida.. Perfeito.
How romantic! That is so special and unique.
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
This is beautiful! Do you know where they got the gold clamshell ring box? I would love to find it.
It is from here: http://bit.ly/1HHthoL
Absolutely and unbelievable beautiful.
If i had to marry my husband for 2nd Time, i would love to Do it this way. ..
Applause to the Artist :-)
Melted my freakin heart. So much beauty and love… I love that they did what felt right to them! And their daughter is just precious! So sweet.
Perfect setting, decor, flowers and what an incredibly cute couple and flower girl! Such great emotions captured. Styling is to die for. Great job to the designer and to the photographer!
I totally agree with you. Unique wedding ideas are really cool and best wedding planning is always accompanied by putting heart into it. A lot of famous wedding planners like One Heart Wedding, incorporate the use of different elements to succeed as the best wedding planning service. Anyway, I truly admire your creativity for setting up the ceremony in a boat. Impressive. And having a garden like decoration in there is likewise commendable. Maybe, if you have a bigger boat, that would be better so that you can also put up the actual reception area in there, :)
Stunning and beautifully real wedding! Bravo!
A elopement – on a gondola! Amazing! It looks like such a fun wedding, a really relaxed atmosphere and so special! I love the folrals decorating the gondola and the super pretty Macarons – beautiful touches! xo
Perfect! What a great idea.
How romantic! Great idea for the Big Day :) Photos are just gorgeous, feel almost like I was there.