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.
Our Favorite Memory
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.
Our Musical Choices
And their gorgeous wedding film by Brinton Films!
Our Advice
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.
Featured in This Wedding
Tyler Branch
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Venue: The Red Horse Barn // 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 // 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
