Beautiful people in a stunning setting with wonderful outfits and details. What more could a couple ask for? Alex and Elena tied the knot at Harvest View Barn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Brides & Weddings recently interviewed the bride & groom and here is what they had to say about their relationship, wedding and future plans.
Alex and I met at a theatre in Missouri. Our first day of rehearsal we learned we needed to play newlyweds in one play and I played his pregnant girlfriend in another. There was a Christmas Cabaret and we sand "Baby It's Cold Outside." We flirted over competitive games of Jenga backstage but insisted we were just friends. 6 months later we moved in together in New York City. Nearly 6 years later Alex surprised me with a trip to that same theatre and proposed to me on stage after we sang Johnny Cash's "Jackson".
We are silly, creative, loving human beings. We are best friends and partners in wit.
Our wedding definitely oozed the same playful spirit that we cherish about each other so much. Our ceremony was serene, spiritual, down to earth and gave plenty of laughs and tears. A close and spiritual friend was our officiant. We had family involved and wrote and read promises to each other. The family and friends there also had to make promises to us as well. A close friend lead us all in a short meditation where everyone sent love to us.
We even hired a polka-rock band that we had danced to in NYC for our reception. After dinner, Alex surprised me by singing The Beach Boys "God Only Knows" with 3 other friends in a barber shop quartet version of the song. It was. Amazing!
Alex's birthday was the next day and so I surprised him with the band playing "Today it's Your Birthday" and our friend (dressed up as a bull dog) dancing with a giant inflatable cake. Ya see--Alex and I promised each other three things before moving to Chicago from New York---1.live somewhere slower and greener. 2. Get married. 3. Get a dog. Two out of three is amazing in a year's time. The dog will follow soon!
Brides & Weddings: What was your theme? What inspired you to pick that theme?
We went with rustic chic. Elena is originally a Pennsylvania gal and so a barn wedding made the most sense. But it was like "glamping". We wanted a barn but a glamorous barn--for example with a/c and elegant lighting. We are very down to earth and so we let that guide us. We also wanted to make it personal so we incorporated pictures of the shows we've been in for table numbers and decorated the tables with buttons--something Elena's great grandmother collected. We wanted all to be welcome and for both families to feel like on big family.
Brides & Weddings: Describe the dress you chose and the moment you knew it was the one.
Carol Hannah's the Kensington. First dress shop I went into and it was the 4th dress I tried on. I took a mutual friend of ours just for fun--not expecting to settle that day. I went to Alice in Ivory in Chicago and planned to just be open and keep things simple (as in all the planning and decisions...not the dress).
I picked three and they hung them up. Then I saw this two piece dress--an ivory corset too and a fluffy champagne and blush pink skirt (hello wedding colors!) I remember thing "what the heck is this?" But I thought "hey let's be open and just try it on." After trying on the first three and deciding I wanted to wear dresses like these all the time and be a bridal dress model--I slipped into the Kensington. I don't follow designers very much so they mentioned it to me it didn't mean much. I have to admit after being on the designer's blog for wearing her dress--I feel pretty cool.
I loved it. And still love it. It's as playful and fun as me! It's unique and not what I ever would have expected. Everyone who saw it said "it's so you!" So. That was that. I got creative and accessorized myself with a lace topper and jeweled belt from Beholden and these amazingly beautiful floral vintage looking shoes from Modcloth (my something blue). I topped it all off with my Nana's necklace, a new pair of earrings, and my mother and great grandmother's bracelets.
Alex got a custom suit made with plum purple(ding ding). We had no idea why we were agreeing to those wedding colors as we kept my dress and his suit a surprise until we walked down the aisle. His dress is made by Tom James. He wore a beautiful bow tie and looked handsome, playful, and charming.
Brides & Weddings: What was your favorite detail?
Our wedding topper! We found pictures on Pinterest. For our wedding gift his sister found the artist who makes them and ordered us one. It is two carved statues that look just like Alex and I--down to the fabric of his suit and my dress. Very romantic and sweet.
Also--overall how calm we were through the whole process. We created WEDDING WEDNESDAYS where we couldn't make appointments or even work out. After work we just focused on the wedding and made it fun and ordered food. We bonded and even our vendors thanked us for our calm and open minds. :) We did it!
Brides & Weddings: Any advice for other couples planning their wedding together?
Let go and trust your vendors. They do this way more than we do (well hopefully). Have Wedding Wednesdays. Slow down and enjoy the planning--also be sure take breaks from the planning and do something fun with your hubby to be. We also started a journal (as recommended by our officiant) where we wrote notes to each other throughout the process. Ideas. Fears. Quotes. Song lyrics. Anything. Some of it was helpful for our vows.
Just remember what it's all about.
For the wedding: eat all the food. And dance every dance.
