What a crazy warm weekend it was! I hope you all stayed cool! Let’s get this week started with a rustic elegant wedding in Wilmington styled and coordinated by the fabulous Viva L’Event and captured by Erin O’Neil Photography. One of the things I love most about this wedding (besides the adorable bride and groom, and the combination of purple, cream and gray) was the quick thinking and acting of Jamie and Stephanie as they broke down the perfect outdoor ceremony (because of rain) and brought the whole thing indoors where the reception would also be held. No one at the wedding knew and we wouldn’t have known either if the bride hadn’t spilled the beans in her recap below. Between the rose petal strewn aisle and the beautiful decor on the black chiavari chairs, this ceremony takes elegant to a whole new level. Actually, this whole wedding does! And oh, do we love it so!

Katie and Elliott were first introduced by Elliott’s cousin, Keith, and their mutual friend, Sami (who were dating at the time). Katie was visiting Sami one weekend in Wilmington at a party that Elliott was also attending with Keith. They were introduced there and while they were much too shy to say so, they both definitely felt something spark between them. They kept in contact after that night through online messages until they agreed to meet up a few weeks later.

Their first official date took place at Bonefish Grill. After which they rented a movie (Avatar) and took it back to Elliott’s house to watch. They stayed up until 2AM watching the movie and another two hours after that talking before Katie decided it was time to go home.Their first kiss, a magical one at that, took place on the beach at night while they were camping out with a group of friends. The weather was just right and there was music playing in the background (“Meet Me Half Way” by the Black Eyed Peas to be specific) and it was a really happy, perfect moment.

From the beginning, both Katie and Elliott knew they wanted to be with each other. Their relationship had always felt natural and within just a few months realize they were in love. They were constantly wanting to spend time together and doing things to make the other feel loved, none of which required much effort – they just happened. Just a few months into dating they knew they wanted to be together forever. There was no particular “ah-hah” moment, just a confident mutual feeling. A feeling neither of them has questioned since.

It was a very natural thing then when Elliott decided to propose just a couple of days before Valentine’s Day on February 10th, 2010. They had signed up for a dance lesson and had just returned when Elliott suggested they get dressed up (as if to go out somewhere) instead of getting into something more comfortable like they usually did. Albeit confused, Katie went along with Elliott’s request.

When she came back downstairs, she found that Elliott had prepared a romantic candlelit dinner for two. With Valentine’s Day just days away, it wasn’t all that unusual, but incredibly sweet all the same. After dinner, Elliott pulled out a large Valentine’s Day gift bag, inside of which were two boxes (one small and one large) of chocolates. Katie took out the small box first, set it aside, and moved back in for the larger one when Elliott stopped her, insisting she open the smaller one up first. Inside, in place of one of the chocolates, was a diamond engagement ring. By the time Katie had realized what it was, Elliott was done on one knee beside her asking her to marry him. Of course she said yes!

{From the Bride} The wedding day was actually very calm and smooth. We had planned to get married outside, but rain forced our ceremony inside – a seamless transition thanks to our talented planners! Some guests later told us they didn’t even know the wedding was planned to be outside. I was beyond pleased with how the shift to moving everything inside turned out!

Our first dance began with a traditional slow dance to Michael Buble’s “Crazy Love”. We then shifted into our fun, choreographed dance to Ludacris’ “My Chick Bad”, which included our bridesmaids and groomsmen too. It was a lot of fun and we think the guests enjoyed the surprise.

Something we did not know or expect about planning a wedding was just how many details there are and how completely time consuming it all is! That’s why we were so thankful to have had as much help as we did and so blessed to have such talented and efficient wedding planners who truly understood exactly what we wanted and brought our visions to life.

{Advice to Couples} You don’t have to have a specific moment that screams at you “he/she is the one”. As long as you love each other and agree in your commitment to stay by each other’s side forever, no matter what, then you will have a lifetime of love together. Nothing should feel forced, but quite the opposite.

P.S. FIND A GREAT WEDDING PLANNER!!! They will help maintain your sanity :)

Didn’t I tell you? Elegant to a whole new level. Beautiful too. And I’m not just talking about the details, the bride and groom too :) Congratulations, Katie and Elliott! May your future together be filled with nothing but love and laughter. Thank you so much for sharing your love story with us. A special thank you also to Viva L’Event (with help from the lovely Erin O’Neil) for sharing their very special day with all of us today! xoxo

Viva L’Event is a fabulous member of our Vendor Boutique. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.