Laura (also a super talented wedding photographer!) and Allen are both really laid-back and love the outdoors, so the inspiration for their wedding came very naturally. Their wedding also included live music sung by their talented friends, mason jar mugs as wedding favors, yummy food provided by the Kogi Truck, and a fun cardboard house for the kids to play with. It was also a very emotional wedding for them because Laura’s only sister (who is also one of her assistant photographers) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma just a few months before their wedding day. The doctors kept saying that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the wedding because she would be so weak from the Chemotherapy. Such devastating news for Laura and her sister since they are super close. I can’t even imagine what they were going through…however, the doctors were nice enough to schedule her Chemo cycles so that she could feel well enough in time for the wedding. Laura + Allen were overjoyed to hear that on the day of the wedding she felt good enough to not only attend, but even sing their First Dance song for them. Everyone at the wedding knew of the situation, so pretty much everyone was in tears (of joy) for them throughout the entire wedding.
I also need to note that Laura + Allen worked with an amazing design team, Sugar & Fluff Design House, who helped them come up with a theme that represented them perfectly. Then also hired Tyler Branch Photo + Brinton Films to capture the day! Big congrats to Laura + Allen (who are on their honeymoon right now) for sharing their story with us today.
Allen: The most memorable moment of the day was when I saw Laura walking down the aisle and seeing how beautiful she looked. It hit me then that we were really getting married and I couldn't help but feel even more excited.
Laura: It was when Allen & I had our first dance while my sister sang "Can't Help Falling In Love." My sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma a few months before the wedding and we were told she wouldn't be able to make it to the wedding because of the Chemotherapy. So having her there at the wedding feeling good and singing our song for us was a miracle and absolutely incredible for us. Another awesome moment was when Allen surprised me with a song he wrote including lyrics of our inside jokes. It was really sweet and hilarious.
Love this detail! Laura + Allen really wanted their family + friends to be a big part of their wedding ceremony so they had each guest pass down their rings through a long piece of yarn before the exchanging of the rings. From Laura, Seeing our friends & family bless our rings and be a part of the ceremony in that way was very memorable.
Processional: Hide & Seek – Imogen Heap (cover version by the Vitamin String Quartet)
Recessional: Wouldn't It Be Nice – the Beach Boys
First Dance: Can't Help Falling In Love – Cover-version by Ingrid Michaelson, sung by Laura's sister
And their gorgeous wedding film by Brinton Films!
Don't forget to enjoy the engagement period and don't take yourself too seriously. Inundating yourself with stressful planning will only make you an anxious bride & groom and you will end up exhausting yourself. Don't try to imitate others but represent the two of you as honestly and genuinely as possible. Hire a photographer & videographer whose work you absolutely love! It'll be the best investment you'll make for the wedding. Pinterest is also a very helpful tool to keep all of your inspirations organized.
Make your wedding personal and genuinely about you guys. Make it about what you and your fiance are like and not so much about copying an overdone inspiration board. Seeing elements of you as a couple in your wedding will be priceless and so memorable.
photography: Tyler Branch Photo // venue name: The Red Horse Barn, in Huntington Beach, CA // event design: Sugar & Fluff Design House // wedding dress: Shinbu Bridal // hairpiece: Shinbu Bridal // bride's shoes: Madewell // bridesmaid dresses: Ivy & Aster & Monique Lhuillier from Bella Bridesmaids // groom attire: Banana Republic & The Academy // videography: Brinton Films // paper goods: Sugar & Fluff Design House // catering: Kogi Truck // cake: Chris Young who works at Merely Sweets // music: our playlist from Spotify! // event planner: White Blossom Events // floral design: Floret Cadet // hair stylist: Make-up was done by Elaine Suh from Elaine Label; Hair was done by Eugenia Chung of Petit Plume; Bridesmaids make-up was done by Tayen Kim // makeup artist: Make-up was done by Elaine Suh from Elaine Label; Hair was done by Eugenia Chung of Petit Plume; Bridesmaids make-up was done by Tayen Kim // cinematography: Brinton Films // invitations: Sugar & Fluff Design House // slideshow: we used KnotPic // wedding bands: Easter Ahn // photobooth: Smile Booth // vintage furniture (including that amazing teal dresser) came from: Heirloom + Love Vintage Rental Company // tables: Create-A-Party Rentals // Linens: Create-A-Party Rentals // etc came from: Create-A-Party Rentals
Love Laura + Allen’s wedding photos! I was wondering who is the artist and title of the song playing in the video?? Thanks!
this wedding was very close to our heart! such a fun wedding to design! thank you for the feature.
an absolutely perfect wedding with an absolutely perfect team behind the scenes.
Beautiful,I Love your wedding.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!
I was wondering if the bride gave any more information on the ring warming ceremony she had, that was viewed on the video. I’d like to do something like that but I’d like details on how she went about it.
Amazing work. The video looks awesome!
Love the bouquet! Great work from Floret Cadet!
this wedding got my attention, it has been a while. Really what I needed today…thank you Lura and Allen, much love and happiness for you both
Everything turned out so beautifully, excited to see this wedding up here today! It was a pleasure to work on with the other talented vendors!
Love the anemones in the brides bouquet with the peach garden roses, eryngium, and astilbe…such a beautiful combination! Love that the bridesmaids are all wearing different color dresses with boots! So very many pretty details! Congrats to the couple!
Love this wedding…Beautifull place to celebrate it!
http://www.fotoestudio.es
A beautiful and romantic outdoor wedding!! I love all of the small personal touches especially the blessing of the rings! Such a fun and unique idea!
I love the style of this wedding. It is very beautiful and not overdone.