This is one of the best wedding videos I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them. Every once in a while, I really push the envelope when it comes to the water element at a wedding, but, hey, what can I say….I’m allowed. At this wedding, the water element is the rain that fell that day, forcing the outdoor ceremony into the gorgeous old chandelier-lit barn that was also the location of the reception. Paperback Weddings shot a wonderfully emotional wedding video with lots of moody, rainy drips and drops and lots of joyful tears.
It’s pretty rare for me to kick off a wedding with photos of the reception before anything else, but when the bride and groom kick off the reception with a blindfold and a pinata, I feel I have no other choice! Nadine and Arno held their wedding and reception at Dawn Ranch Lodge, a charming “summer camp” resort on the banks of the Russian River in Sonoma County, CA. I first spotted this wedding on 100 Layer Cake and couldn’t decide what I loved more; the perfect photography (thanks to Jesse Leake, the charming venue, the bride’s Vera Wang with the gorgeous ruffles along the bottom, or the playful spirit of the bride and groom. Usually I’m drawn to one particular element of a wedding. But this time, they were competing equally for my attention. So I decided they all win.I absolutely love the idea of having dinner in an orchard. The flowers and decorated dining tables fit the location beautifully. Have you ever seen a better father-daughter dance? Me neither.And as if the Russian River wasn’t enough water for this wedding, there was this classic swimming pool flanked with cute guest cottages. I can’t get enough of this nostalgic location. Makes me want to float for hours in an inner tube and see a drive-in movie with my pajamas on in the back of an old station wagon. Nadine and Arno had a great vision for their wedding and it was executed brilliantly. Once again, wish I’d been a guest at this one!
Well, hello lovely Louboutins! Is there a better way to start a wedding post than with some super shoes on the bride? The groom’s shoes are pretty cute, of course, but who can help but love a nude shoe with the peep toe peaking out from under a Sarah Seven wedding dress? Jen and Ryan were married in Big Sur, having fallen in love with the area while camping there many times throughout their years together. They found the perfect venue, a private residence, which allowed the couple the flexibility to hold the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dinner in different areas of the same location. Not only is this a great idea in terms of making the most of your venue fee, but its very convenient for guests (and you). Once they arrive to the ceremony, they’re free to get comfortable for hours. And with a view like that, who’d want to leave? Not interested in following traditional wedding rules, Jen and Ryan wanted a wedding that truly reflected their personalities. Not only did they have a Bourbon bar, a camping themed photo booth, and loads of baked goods handmade by the bride and maid of honor, but they carefully incorporated the charming details they love: mason jars, burlap, succulents. Thanks so much to Brandon Kidd Photography for allowing us to post these great wedding photos!!
Coreen and Steven were high school sweethearts who grew up on the coast of British Columbia. They decided on a not-so-far-away destination wedding and got married along the water at Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, Washington, right across from the bay where they first met. Coreen and Steven’s wedding was a crisp mix of lime green, navy blue and white. These polka dot bridesmaids’ dresses look perfect in this setting. Bright green kermit mums in the boutonnieres carried the green theme for the groomsmen. Not only were so many of the details of this day handmade by the bride and her family, but Coreen even made the gorgeous invitation suite! Love the idea of alternating graphic napkins at each place setting. Adds just the right touch of color and energy to the tables.Many, many thanks to Alexandra Hunt Photography for sending these photos. Thanks, too, Two Bright Lights.
Take a look at this simple wedding ceremony on the shores of Lake Michigan. Loretta and Almond are planning a more elaborate wedding in Singapore but wanted to seal the deal now on the shores of Lake Michigan with just a few friends and family in attendance. It’s refreshing to see a ceremony pared down to the basics. Just look at how happy and serene this couple is. Thanks so much to Maggie Rife Photography for submitting this wedding.
Kestrin and Jonathan had an oceanside wedding in Carmel, CA and then followed it up the next day with a second wedding in San Francisco at Flora Grubb Gardens. Wedding #2 has nothing to do with water, other than the fact that San Francisco is on the bay….I know….quite a thematic stretch, but the party looks like it was amazing, so I had to show it. The venue, the wedding, and the guests are all pretty avant garde (guests were asked to dress for a meeting with the Queen of Hearts). Kestrin and Jonathan definitely achieved the “Wonderland” measured chaos they were hoping for. Thanks to Feather Love Photography for sharing these photos.
I’ll be honest. Day Two of Kestrin’s and Jonathan’s wedding in San Francisco has nothing to do with a wedding on water. I’m allowing myself a little creative license here, so how about “San Francisco is a city on a bay?” Does that work? Well, it has to. This is just too good to pass up, and thanks to Feather Love Photography for giving it to us.
The day after their intimate ceremony on the ocean in Carmel, Kestrin and Jonathan moved to the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where they got ready for their second ceremony and reception, which took place that evening (and well into the morning) at Flora Grubb Gardens. But first, they took advantage of their awesome location and had an impromptu photo shoot at the hotel.
Kestrin and Jonathan had two wedding ceremonies, a day apart. The first, shown in this post, was held on a bluff at Carmel River State Beach in Carmel, CA, (where Jonathan proposed) and was attended by a small group of about 50 friends and family, and the couple’s dog, Batgirl. Jonathan proposed to the bewitching Kestrin with these words, “I know you’re perfectly capable of living this life on your own, but I want to live it with you.” I don’t blame him. Kestrin looks pretty cool, if you ask me. Continue on and you’ll know she is.Love the dramatic, moody, windy sky that day, and I really love the chic air plant bouquet, courtesy of the very talented Flora Grubb, who happens to be the groom’s sister. A simple, waterside family celebration took place afterwards at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Beach House. The following day, it was off to San Francisco for a second ceremony, followed by a raucous party, all held at Flora Grubb Gardens. Post to follow soon. Many thanks to Feather Love Photography.
Ok, I’m stretching it here a bit when it comes to the idea of a wedding on water because this one isn’t. But…I couldn’t show you Liza’s & Victor’s great “farewell brunch” lip-dubbing video (shot poolside, thank you very much) without showing you their wedding. I mean, it just wouldn’t be fair. Luckily the pool does show up in this wedding video for a short bit, and the video ends at the beach, in St. Tropez I might add, so I don’t feel too guilty. Once again, wish I’d been on the guest list.
I’m so excited that I just found this video! I thought I’d lost track of it forever. It was shot by Studio Artifice from France, and it always makes me smile. Now, something to know about me…I love Europe and Europeans, so this video, shot at the brunch the day after Liza’s and Victor’s St. Tropez wedding, is heaven to me. The lip dubbing isn’t perfect, but that’s the charm of it. Be sure to watch the bloopers at the end. C’est magnifique.
If you always dreamed of a wedding on water (be it ocean, lake, stream, or family swimming pool), pop in whenever you need a dose of inspiration or just a simple escape from the everyday. Here you'll find ideas, tips, insights and photos covering everything from New England nautical weddings to Hawaiian bikini brides and everything in between. Dive in and take a look.
