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Unexpectedly Eye-Catching Pink, Red, and Lilac Redwood Forest Wedding

July 15, 2025 | marissa

Hannah Marie and Darren’s wedding was anything but ordinary. Tucked beneath the towering redwoods of The Waterfall Lodge & Retreat, their day was a kaleidoscope of color and character. From a ceremony bursting with vivid florals to a disco ball-lit dance floor and cherry-topped cake, every detail was delightfully them—creative, playful, and lighthearted. In short, this was a wedding where tradition met quirk, mood met magic, and personality took center stage.

The Waterfall Lodge & Retreat, nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains just minutes from the coast, provided the perfect setting—secluded, peaceful, and naturally stunning. Its rustic charm set a grounded tone, while the couple’s vibrant aesthetic brought an energetic contrast that made the entire day feel alive. Capturing it all was Teri B Photography, a Junebug preferred vendor whose signature blend of photojournalism and fine art brought emotional depth to every frame. With both analog and digital formats, Teri’s lens revealed not only how the day looked, but how it felt—romantic, real, and luminous with meaning.

What We Love About This Whimsical Redwood Forest Wedding:

  • The unique color palette of red, pink, and lilac
  • A peaceful, secluded venue tucked into the enchanting Santa Cruz redwoods
  • Teri B’s dreamy, emotion-rich photography captured on both film and digital 
  • A fun and personality-packed cocktail hour 
  • Al fresco sunset dinner that turned magical with candlelight

The morning began slowly and sweetly among the trees. Hannah Marie wore a sculptural off-the-shoulder satin gown by Watters, complete with a cathedral-length veil for the ceremony and a white orchid tucked into her half-up hairstyle. Her bouquet mirrored the moment: an elegant cluster of white orchids with subtle flashes of gloriosa lilies and cascading green amaranth. Her bridesmaids wore varying lilac dresses, adding just the right touch to the colorful day.

Guests were welcomed to the ceremony with folding wood chairs and an aisle lined with lush florals—poppies, roses, peace lilies, pink baby’s breath, amaranth, and muhly grass spilled onto the path and circled the altar in a vibrant embrace. The couple stood surrounded by color in a semi-circle of blooms, grounded by the forest and each other. The vows were emotional and intentional, bringing laughter and misty eyes in equal measure.

Afterward, cocktail hour brought the whimsy. A red ping-pong table and vintage van photo booth kept spirits high, while a guest book in the form of a recipe journal added a meaningful, interactive touch. Guests sipped and mingled among towering trees, stopping to answer a large-format, couple-themed crossword puzzle.

Next, dinner was served al fresco on long wooden tables, layered with delicate details. Each place setting featured scalloped white plates, bright pink linen napkins, fan-shaped menus, and a single orchid. Lavender tea lights floated beside red pillar candles, and ceramic vases nestled between fresh pomegranates added texture and contrast. The result was striking-meets-romantic, with just the right amount of drama.

As night fell, a suspended floral and disco ball installation signaled the start of the celebration’s next chapter. The couple’s first dance glowed beneath its sparkle, and the energy never dipped. Guests grazed the dessert table, toasted marshmallows at the s’mores station, and were surprised with late-night pizza after slicing into a pink mini layer cake with vintage white icing and cherries on top.

 

Ultimately, Hannah Marie and Darren’s redwood forest wedding was a technicolor tapestry of personal expression and artistic vision. It was proof that when you trust your instincts, lean into joy, and surround yourself with people (and florals) you love, the result is nothing short of unforgettable.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Teri B Photography
Planning – Lia Adam Events
Floral Design – H and J Flowers
Venue – Waterfall Lodge & Retreat
Videography – Ebullient Memories
Catering – Five Star Catering
Makeup + Hair Styling – Design Her Image
Officiant – Elopements with Dean Liapis
DJ – Santa Cruz DJ Company
Cake – The Hot Pink Box
Phootbooth – The Booth Bus
Wedding Dress – Watters
Transportation – The Santa Cruz Experience

Sponsors
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Alaskan Locals Elope Their Way—with Pups, a Picnic, and a Private Boat Charter

July 13, 2025 | marissa

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that blends epic natural landscapes with personal, off-the-beaten-path moments, Faith and Zach’s Seward, Alaska elopement will speak straight to your adventurous heart. The couple, both locals to Anchorage, knew from the beginning that they wanted to escape to Seward—one of their favorite places to visit with their dogs—for a celebration that felt relaxed, remote, and fully immersed in nature. What followed was a wedding day filled with custom touches, lush forested ceremony views, and a private boat cruise through Resurrection Inlet, complete with a waterfall stop and a champagne toast.

Photographer Rose of Matlai Photography, who also helped guide the couple through the planning process, described them as “definitely down for an adventure.” The entire day was designed to be easygoing and organic, with little stress and plenty of space to enjoy Alaska’s beauty. This is the kind of wedding that proves elopements can be both adventurous and stylish—especially when paired with an embroidered velvet suit and a just-for-fun stop at a mid-century modern bar.

 

Featured Vendor:
Matlai Photography

 

Why We Love This Seward, Alaska Elopement

  • A remote ceremony site that felt like a hidden rainforest retreat
  • A personalized boat cruise with a private charter and waterfall visit
  • Two beloved dogs included throughout the day
  • The perfect post-ceremony picnic for two
  • A low-key but high-impact post-ceremony cocktail stop in Seward

 

A Celebration Designed Around the Wild Alaskan Landscape

From the start, Seward was the obvious choice. “They knew they wanted to get out on the peninsula somehow to celebrate their wedding,” Rose explained. “We ended up booking Miller’s Landing for a half-day boat cruise, which just amped up the level of excitement.”

Planning the day came naturally, thanks to Rose’s familiarity with the area. “I’ve worked there for several years, so I have lots of recommendations on where to go, what to see, and the inside scoop,” she said. One of those ideas included a forest picnic—a cozy and delicious interlude before boarding the boat for an epic cruise through the fjords.

The boat itself became a highlight of the day. “We hired a private charter for the return trip, and it was so cool to stop at a waterfall and have the whole boat to ourselves in Resurrection Inlet. It’s just incredible to be out there on the water with these massive mountains all around you!”

Thoughtful Styling Meets Alaskan Adventure

Just because the couple eloped didn’t mean they held back on style. “Zach rocked an incredible green velvet suit with embroidered inside pockets. It was stunning!” Rose shared. He even added a braided hair detail thanks to Girdwood-based stylist Lana Anderson, who helped complete the look.

Faith opted for a vintage-inspired wedding dress that brought a soft, classic elegance to the rugged landscape. “The contrast was fantastic,” Rose said. “It was also a reminder that when you elope, you really can wear whatever you want!”

A First Look by the Water, and a Ceremony in the Forest

The day started with a sweet first look on the water’s edge in front of a wooden cabin. “Faith walked down the steps, their two dogs circling Zach below, and he turned around to see her. So cute!”

The ceremony itself felt like something out of a fairytale. “It looked like we were deep in the rainforest somewhere,” Rose said. “Despite being on the Alaskan coastline, it felt immense, private, super green, and very peaceful.” That sense of stillness—surrounded by trees and softened by mossy ground—created a deeply intimate atmosphere that perfectly reflected the couple’s love.

From Waterfalls to Cocktails

After saying “I do” and exploring the inlet by boat, Faith and Zach headed to The Flamingo, a newly revamped cocktail bar in downtown Seward. “Despite looking like a mid-mod dive bar on the outside, it has a tremendous menu and brings a total flair to the area,” said Rose. It was a fun, unfussy way to cap off a day full of meaning, movement, and joy.

Eloping Means Doing It Your Way

If Faith and Zach’s Seward, Alaska elopement proves anything, it’s that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting married. You don’t need a sea of florals, an officiant, or even an aisle unless that’s what you want. An intimate forest ceremony, a boat tour with your dogs, and a final stop at a cool local bar? That’s just as meaningful—and wildly romantic—as any traditional celebration.

Eloping is your chance to strip away everything unnecessary and focus on what matters most: the two of you, your love, and the new adventure you’re creating together.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Matlai Photography
Floral Design – Paper Peony
Ceremony Location  – Millers Landing
Makeup + Hair Styling – Lana Anderson
Cake – Two Cubs Bakery

Sponsors
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Emotional and Intimate Destination Wedding at a Dreamy Southern Italian Villa

July 10, 2025 | marissa

Jamie and Melony Bascom’s love story began with a spark and a few serendipitous missteps. They met in early 2017 through a mutual friend and instantly clicked, but they didn’t exchange numbers. Months later, Jamie spotted Melony again and asked for her number—but his phone died before the call went through. “We kept missing each other,” Jamie shared. “But once I finally reached out on social media and we had our first date, that was it. We’ve been together every day since.”

With shared Caribbean heritage—Jamie’s family from Guyana and Melony’s from the Dominican Republic—and a deep connection rooted in friendship, they knew early on they were meant to build a life together. After a cozy holiday proposal in Manhattan, they set out to plan the destination wedding of their dreams in just nine months. What transpired was an Italian villa wedding filled with intimacy, beauty, and meaningful moments.

Featured Vendor:

Luigi Reccia

What We Love About this Italian Villa Wedding:

  • A full week spent together under one roof in a stunning Italian villa
  • The couple prioritized guest comfort, covering accommodations and meals themselves
  • A playful welcome party featuring a poolside gathering and pizzas fresh from a brick oven
  • Guests arrived at the ceremony in coordinated pastels by family, creating a beautiful “kaleidoscope” of color
  • Loved ones played meaningful roles in the ceremony, ensuring everyone felt included

 

Planning an Intimate Destination Wedding in Italy

“We always knew we wanted an intimate and romantic wedding—something that felt effortless but still really special,” Melony shared. “When we found Domus Laeta, it was over. The venue really did the talking. It had the most breathtaking views, charming rooms, and this natural old-world beauty that didn’t need much else.”

Although planning a wedding abroad can be daunting, Melony took the lead. “I actually really enjoyed being hands-on,” she said. “But I also had so much help from Angela, the villa’s wedding coordinator. She connected us with vendors who totally understood the kind of day we were envisioning: romantic, relaxed, and centered around family.”

With limited time and the added complexity of international logistics, the couple leaned into trusting local experts. “The photographers—Luigi Reccia and his team, Raffaele and Alessandro—were amazing. They didn’t just capture the weekend, they became part of it,” Jamie added. “They had this calming presence that made us both feel at ease.”

Prioritizing People and Experiences Over Perfection

The couple’s number one priority? Their guests. “We wanted our family and friends to just show up and enjoy,” Jamie said. “A lot of them were traveling internationally with kids, and we didn’t want anyone to feel stressed.” Melony and Jamie covered accommodations, meals and transportation for all of their guests, and even planned a sailing trip to Capri as part of the weeklong festivities.

“The villa had more rooms than we had guests, which made it feel like a huge, cozy home we all shared for the week,” Melony said. “We were really intentional about investing in comfort, hospitality, and shared experiences over details that would only last a day.”

Welcome Party with Wood-Fired Pizza

The celebrations began with a laidback welcome party the day before the wedding. “We had a local pizzeria owner come in and make pizza in the villa’s outdoor brick oven,” Melony shared. “It was the perfect way to kick things off—kids running around, everyone catching up, no pressure. Just good food and good company.”

That afternoon, the couple snuck away for portraits in the town of Giungano. “It was so peaceful,” Jamie said. “Just walking the streets, taking in the views, and getting to be together before all the excitement.”

Wedding Day Fashion with a Personal Twist

Jamie’s look was all about classic tailoring with a splash of personality. “I went full James Bond,” he joked. “Classic black tux, real bow tie—which took me weeks to master—and black patent Christian Louboutins with red soles. I even brought new barber gear to groom myself and my brothers.”

Melony found her dress early in the process. “It was actually the first dress I tried on,” she said. “It was everything I imagined—lace, fitted, romantic with a long train and veil. I wanted to feel like myself, but elevated. And I couldn’t do it without Jimmy Choo.”

As a fun and meaningful detail, guests were asked to dress in soft pastel colors, with each family choosing their own hue. “Jamie’s mom called it a kaleidoscope,” Melony smiled. “It created the most beautiful, organic color story throughout the day.”

A Heartfelt Ceremony

Rather than a traditional first look, the couple opted for a quiet moment together before the ceremony. “We met back-to-back in a corridor of the villa,” Jamie said. “Just holding hands, taking a deep breath. It gave us a second to be present together before everything started.”

Their ceremony, held beneath a vine-covered stone arch in the garden, was full of heartfelt moments and meaningful roles. “Every single family member played a part,” Melony said. “Jamie’s dad was our officiant. Our moms held our vow books. Our siblings and godchildren helped with the rings and the aisle. We wanted our families to feel as included as we did.”

Domus Laeta stole the show with its weathered stone, sprawling gardens, and historic charm. “The courtyard had this arch covered in vines that looked like something out of a movie,” Melony said. “That’s where we had our ceremony. It needed almost no decor—it was already perfect.”

Their Best Advice

Reflecting on the week, Jamie and Melony have no regrets. “We wouldn’t change a thing, honestly,” Jamie said. “Every decision led us to that exact experience.”

Their advice to other couples? “Prioritize what matters to you as a couple,” Melony said. “You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do what feels true. The more personal it is, the more magical it becomes.”

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Luigi Reccia
Planning – Angela Voria
Venue  – Domus Laeta
Makeup + Hair Styling – Hetty Akotowah Mensah
Wedding Dress – Allure Bridals

The couple would like to send a very special thank you to the venue owners, Camilla and Antonello, and the additional staff, Vicky and Kumar

Sponsors
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