Surprise, we got married! In a terrible year of pain and loss, we took back space for a joyful event and made our commitment official.
Unlike other couples who saw their wedding dreams dashed by covid, our wedding happened as it did because of covid. When Jake proposed over Labor Day weekend, we were faced with a choice; wait for an uncertain future before planning the wedding of our dreams (if such a thing could ever exist again), or take control, seize an important date, and get married now, on our terms.
Eloping made me personally feel empowered; a little something that I could control in this insanely unpredictable year. We’re still going to plan the party of our dreams, but with no rush and less pressure to make only one day perfect. We make the rules.
What’s all this have to do with an art and crafting blog? Let me tell you, a lot of crafting and visual planning went into this elopement, as any bride will tell you. Even an event as small and simple as our runaway-weekend (an all-inclusive stay at a bed and breakfast), needed a color-scheme, rings designed, props for the ceremony. That rope we’re holding is a piece of climbing rope that we worked into a handfasting ceremony using a climbing knot. I later made the rope with our forever-knot into a wreath for the wall using ribbon from my bouquet.
I worked with a local florist to design our flowers (only a bouquet and boutonniere), Jake’s suit pants needed hemming, my dress, a hem and some zipper touch-ups, I had to make us formal masks! On top of the sewing, I practiced weeks in advance my own hair and makeup, another artistic feat.
After the ceremony there were flowers to dry, keepsakes to preserve, photos to edit, and announcement cards to design and mail. All sorts of small design elements that go into curating the visual dream. This post is so delayed because it’s a lot of work sorting hundreds event photos.
Despite the long list of details to attend to, relatively speaking this was a very simple affair. We had a handful of witnesses at the ceremony itself, but otherwise, we indulged in the little luxuries of the Berkshires just the two of us. Outdoor dining, romantic strolls, sculptures and a botanical garden.
Most of our energy and planning went into the photoshoot after the ceremony, where we pranced about in the woods. I’ve posted only my very top favorites for you here, and as you can see it was difficult to whittle it down to an appropriate number for a blog post. I hope you enjoy them on visual and emotional merit; they (and my husband) have certainly made my year a little better.
