Image by Kylie Farmer. See more of this real wedding here. Keep scrolling for some seriously cool bridal jackets
Are you planning a fall or winter wedding? Then you’re in luck! There’s so much to look forward to when it comes to your big day (and we’re not just talking about changing leaves or the possibility of snow). One of the best parts of tying the knot in cooler weather is the fashion choices–including those stunning bridal jackets you’ve probably seen all over Instagram or Pinterest.
There’s never been a cooler way to get married than wrapped up in a warm jacket. Whether you envision a dainty faux-fur shawl, an edgy leather jacket, or custom denim, this bridal jacket round-up has a little something for everyone.
Denim Bridal Jackets
We can’t help but love denim jackets. It’s a popular bridal accessory that’ll complete any wedding day look regardless of your wedding season, location, or theme. And the best part is, depending on the jacket you choose, you can wear it over and over again after your special day—including your honeymoon.
If you’re looking for something a little edgier, consider a leather jacket. Not only are they sure to keep you warm, but they’re also a timeless accessory that’ll never go out of style. This means you won’t be cringing at your jacket choice when you’re flipping through your wedding photo album.
Next up on our list are fur coats. If you’re getting married in the middle of winter or just know the temps are going to be chilly, this is the perfect option to help keep you warm. Plus, they’re sure to add an elegant and luxurious vibe to any wedding attire.
You want to warm up your wedding look, but you don’t want to cover the wedding dress you’ve spent months searching for—we hear you. If this sounds like you, a bridal bolero or shawl is calling your name. They make for a stylish finishing touch that’ll ensure that you are covered in style without hiding too much of your wedding dress.
Jackets aren’t the only way to add a pop of personality to your wedding day attire. If your celebration is during the chillier months, you can also play around with fun footwear options. Not sure where to start? Check out these cute wedding boots that’ll keep those cold feet away on your big day.
Jodie and Nick had a special vision for their big day. They wanted to blend the charm of a garden cocktail party, the cozy vibes of a cottage core atmosphere, and the relaxation of a yoga retreat at their Ruby Lake Resort wedding. Jodie, who plans retreat weddings, wanted to prove that weddings can be more than just one day, so they stretched their celebration over several days. It was a hit! Their wedding was full of vibrant colors inspired by Diwali, with breathtaking floral arrangements and installations that truly wowed everyone.
Imagine a beautiful forest ceremony, an aisle lined with wildflowers, leading to a mossy tree altar adorned with blooms that appeared to grow from the tree itself. After exchanging heartfelt vows, the newlyweds exited under a shower of flowers, creating a magical moment. The tented reception was equally enchanting, with stunning tablescapes overflowing with colorful blooms and hanging potted flowers above. Meanwhile, the golden glow of candles and string lights set the perfect atmosphere.
While we could go on about this incredible event, we’ll let the amazing photos by Junebug member Sara Rogers speak for themselves. From the sweet first look to the forest portraits and all the beautiful moments in between, this weekend celebration is a must-see.
As a wedding planner specializing in retreat weddings, I aimed to make our special day reflect this unique style. Traditional weddings often feel rushed, leaving little room for genuine connections with guests. Retreat weddings provide a different experience, but they come with their own challenges, like local rules, where everyone stays, meal planning, and getting the right staff. This is why having a wedding planner is crucial. Our chosen venue, Ruby Lake Resort, had everything we needed: places to stay, beautiful spots, excellent catering, and the flexibility we wanted. It allowed us to give our guests something new, where they could spend quality time with us and create lasting friendships. The immersive and experiential aspects made our whole weekend unforgettable.
Prioritizing Comfort and Authenticity for the Bridal Look
When selecting my wedding dress, Nick had one specific request: he wanted to see my curves. So, I chose a dress that showcased my figure and embodied the whimsical and joyful spirit of our floral-themed wedding. To add a personal touch, I customized the dress with shoulder straps instead of a strapless top for comfort and authenticity. With help from my stylist, I also embraced my natural curls to ensure I felt like myself on the big day. My goal was to feel natural and true to who I am.
Incorporating Unique Colors and a Family Heirloom into the Groom’s Attire
Nick was passionate about wearing a suit that incorporated color but didn’t lean into the most common color palettes seen in men’s suits. So, he had a custom suit made through Cardero Clothing that allowed him to select each item. He did so with his gold nugget cufflinks in mind, as these were a family heirloom.
Using Gender-Neutral Language and an ASL Interpreter Made Their Ceremony Especially Meaningful
The ceremony felt deeply personal because someone dear to us officiated it. Making sure the script had no gender expectations and truly represented us was crucial. We worked closely on the script, choosing words and verses carefully. I’ve heard countless ceremonies. This was one of the trickiest parts of planning. I also surprised my sister with an ASL interpreter since she has difficulty hearing. It meant a lot to her because she could enjoy the ceremony without straining to read lips. Our interpreter was Contessa, one of my assistants at Thistle & Thorne.
Their Wedding Theme was Inspired by Their Passion for Gardening and Music Festivals
Our love for gardening, tropical plants, and intimate music festivals inspired our wedding design. We wanted to create a unique atmosphere blending a garden cocktail party, cottage core, and yoga retreat feel. Our florist played a big part in making this happen with her stunning arrangements. We told our vendors from the start that we wanted lots of different colors, taking inspiration from the lively Diwali Festival of Lights. So, our ceremony had warm and cool colors like purple, blue, tangerine, coral, and yellow, while the reception had warmer shades to add energy to our dinner celebration.
How Their Ruby Lake Resort Wedding Weekend Unfolded
Our wedding lasted several days, each with its own special moments. The first day was about the beach and a cozy barbecue dinner for about 40 guests gathered around a warm bonfire. The day before our wedding started with a peaceful yoga class on a floating dock and a delicious brunch. On the wedding day, colorful flowers were the star, and a floral cannon showered us with colors as we walked down the aisle. The night ended with an exciting performance by a lively psychedelic cumbia and salsa 7-piece band. They played past the curfew, and even the venue staff joined in on the fun.
How They Navigated Their Ruby Lake Resort Wedding Budget
I have experience creating budgets for retreat weddings for my clients. Retreat wedding budgets differ from typical ones on Pinterest. Mainly due to the unique spending priorities, especially when providing multiple meals for guests. Unexpectedly, we had to transport the decor to our remote venue, which was only accessible by ferry because there were no local decoration companies. This required renting a U-Haul, an unforeseen expense. Our initial budget was $50,000, but we spent around $65,000. Luckily, some vendor friends provided around $7,000 worth of services. We invested extra in the wedding dress for customization and photography to ensure we had a talented photographer covering both days of the wedding.
Adding a Personal Touch to Their Wedding Through Handmade Details
We created many DIY items out of necessity because finding rentals that matched our color palette was challenging. We crafted all the flower boxes for the reception by cutting wood sheets to the correct size, gluing them with carpenter’s glue, clamping them, and then painting them tangerine or coral. We also hand-painted the terracotta pots, and for the accommodation signs, we painted them by hand and added the lettering with a Cricut machine. Me and my sister-in-law worked together to make the place cards and menus, staying until 1 a.m. the night before heading to the venue. Additionally, we prepared all the ice cubes before the wedding. I grew the edible flowers and froze them into each cube.
One surefire way to make the most of your wedding is to turn it into an extended celebration. Congratulations to Jody and Nick for their unforgettable days-long Ruby Lake Resort wedding, brimming with exquisite details and cherished moments. Many thanks to Junebug member Sara Rogers for beautifully capturing every aspect of their big day. To discover more incredible weddings like this, check out her profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.
By selecting a gorgeous, secluded venue, infusing it with unique details, and crafting an enchanting atmosphere, you can create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. To ensure that every element is expertly handled, assembling a team of professionals is crucial. These experts will work in harmony to seamlessly bring all the elements together and transform your vision into reality. If you and your partner are contemplating a weekend retreat similar to Jody and Nick’s, be sure to explore our guide and use our vendor directory to build your dream team.
Wendy and Deepti first connected during a visit to a lush redwood forest. This kickstarted their love for each other and the Bay Area with its captivating blend of coastline and forest. In a heartfelt tribute to their beginnings, they selected the majestic redwoods as their witnesses for a romantic Big Sur elopement. It was a dreamy celebration that beautifully embodied their love for nature and each other.
In a secluded spot beneath towering trees, they exchanged heartfelt vows and tears—have your tissues handy. Their love for the ocean and the forest was evident as they celebrated their commitment with beautiful photos all around the area, capturing the seaside cliffs, blooming flower fields, and the beach. They picked the perfect ‘I do’ location, having the best of everything all in one place.
The all-female vendor team added a wonderful touch of empowerment to their special day, leaving them with cherished memories of their beautiful love story. Wendy and Deepti demonstrated that your day is just that, yours. It should revolve around you and your new spouse, and these breathtaking photos, beautifully captured by photographer Heather Purdy, are your proof.
The Couple:
Wendy and Deepti
The Wedding:
Big Sur, California, United States
Why A Romantic Big Sur Elopement
Early in our relationship, we went to an incredibly beautiful redwood forest. We felt like we were in the audience for a stunning nature show. So, we thought, who better than the redwoods to be there on our big day? Then, a couple of years ago, we moved to the Bay Area and instantly fell in love with the California coastline. Big Sur allowed us both to remember where we started and embrace where we are now. On that day, we felt so many emotions, but almost everything felt perfect. The scenery was breathtaking, and our vendors were powerful women. Someone very special to both of us was there to celebrate with us. Our outfits were exactly what we wanted. Everything felt easy, just like our relationship with each other.
Choosing Wedding Attire That Blended Two Cultures
Wendy, who is Asian-American, wanted to find a dress that would reflect both her cultural backgrounds. That’s when she discovered East Meets Dress, a company that offers qipaos (cheongsams) blending Eastern and Western designs. While traditional qipaos are usually red, Wendy followed the American custom of getting married in a white dress. As for her choice of shoes, Wendy went with red Vans. These shoes paid homage to the traditional red color in her mother’s culture, but they also allowed her to celebrate her personal style by choosing her favorite brand, which she had been wearing since her teenage years.
Celebrating Fluid Gender Expression Through Wedding Fashion
Deepti’s choice of wedding attire was a unique and meaningful journey. Traditionally, Indian women wear red lehengas, which are long, ornate skirts paired with blouses. While Deepti occasionally dressed in lehengas for special occasions, she equally felt at home in pantsuits. For her wedding outfit, Deepti wanted to honor her fluid gender expression. She started by rummaging through her closet, mixing and matching various tops and bottoms until she found the right combination. Then, she ventured online, searching for Indian fashion designers who catered to the queer community. During this search, Deepti discovered B Anu Designs, who had previously designed attire for a queer women’s wedding. Collaborating with Anu, Deepti created a completely bespoke red ensemble featuring ornate pants, a blouse, shoulder capes, and a headdress. The outfit perfectly blended elements of Deepti’s culture and her queer identity, making it truly special for our wedding day.
Symbolic Illustrations in Their Handmade Vow Books
Our vow books were handmade. Many vow books for purchase seemed impersonal and often came in packs of “his” and “hers.” The vow books were made with blush pink cotton paper and hand-bound with twine. Deepti drew mountains on her vow book to commemorate her favorite natural wonder and a redwood tree on Wendy’s vow book, as she favors forests.
Taking Pride in Celebrating Their Big Day Their Way
We are most proud of how we got there. While we are blessed to have many supportive people close to us, there have been times when we weren’t feeling the love and support from some family members. We have carried on loving each other anyway. We have overcome a lot together and have learned to forge our own path. We are unapologetically queer, multicultural, and madly in love. In the end, we did everything our way.
Wedding Planning Advice: Choose the Right Vendors for Your Elopement
If you’re planning to elope, it’s a good idea to look for vendors who are not only skilled at their work but also great people to be around. Elopements are intimate celebrations, so it’s important to feel comfortable with your team. During our planning, we made it a priority to collaborate with vendors who openly supported queer love on their social media. We wanted our special day to be a proud moment for everyone involved, and I believe we succeeded in achieving that goal.
Congratulations to Wendy and Deepti on their romantic Big Sur elopement packed with personality We also want to extend a big thank you to Heather Purdy for beautifully capturing every memorable moment worth celebrating.
After scrolling through these inspiring photos, you might suddenly feel the urge to elope—and that’s totally understandable! If you’re convinced an intimate party of two is for you, start your planning journey by looking at our elopement planning checklist. It’s filled with Junebug-approved elopement locations, vendors, and inspiration that proves sometimes, simplicity is the best choice.
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