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Rainy But Colorful McKenzie Wilderness Estate Wedding

December 22, 2023 | justine

Jessi and Sean decided to throw the ultimate bash to celebrate their love and dive headfirst into their new venture—owning a wedding venue! But guess what? They didn’t just stop at being venue owners. They decided to tie the knot right there amid all the excitement. Thanks to the unexpected rain, their plan came together with a touch of spontaneity, turning their Wilderness Estate wedding into a magical secret garden. 

Imagine this: The pair and their merry band of guests cozied under the tent, huddling together for a whimsical garden ceremony. The close quarters turned their special moment into something downright enchanting. Despite the raindrops playing a surprise percussion on their clear tent at the reception, surrounded by gorgeous flowers, it felt just right–like their love story’s perfect plot twist where love conquered the rain and turned a Plan B into the best adventure ever.

Their special day was all about love and determination. Despite some rain causing a bit of a challenge, they didn’t let it dampen their spirits. With their loved ones by their side, they turned it into a fun celebration. Thanks to Mary Dougherty’s photos, you can see how a little rain made their wedding memories even sweeter. Keep scrolling and take a sweet journey through their road to “I do.”

The Couple:

Jessi and Sean

The Wedding:

McKenzie Wilderness Estate, New York, United States

Standout Elegant Wedding Fashion and Effortless Beauty

I love all of Danielle Frankel’s dresses, but the Leona really stood out to me. It was simple yet bold. Classy and shapely all at the same time. I wanted simple hair and natural makeup, which my team absolutely crushed. I felt like myself—which was so important to me.

How a Wedding Planner Helped Save Them After Unexpected Rain

The ceremony was magical. The rain added to the feeling of tranquility in the tent. Even though it was our plan B, everything felt right—our advice is to get a planner who knows all the ins and outs about all things wedding as we did! And also, don’t stress. It should be a fun process.

Crafting the Perfect Space that Resonated with Them

I’m so proud of how much work we put in to make our land the perfect space that really reflects our vibe. Natural, elegant, and modern. I’m incredibly proud of my husband, Sean. He went to great lengths to make our dream of getting married at our own venue a reality.

The Birth of McKenzie Wilderness Estate

We had difficulty finding a venue in Lake Placid that was everything we wanted. That’s how the McKenzie Wilderness Estate came about. We wanted a beautiful space that could hold 200+ people in nature. We really molded our venue into everything we wanted. There’s much more to come! We have high hopes for our future in the wedding business.

Wilderness Estate Themed Wedding Favors

We gave out personalized McKenzie Wilderness Estate Stio hoodies and zip-ups. We wanted to give some swag to help people warm up and represent our new venue! It was a huge hit.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Mary Dougherty
Event Planning – Placid Planner
Ceremony + Reception Venue – McKenzie Wilderness Estate
Floral Design – Black Swan Floral Design
Catering – Mazzone Catering
DJ – Dj Doug
Live Music – Grain Thief
Videography – Full Frame Cinema
Invitation Design – XOWYO
Makeup Artist – Amanda Hopcraft
Wedding Dress – Danielle Frankel
Groom’s Apparel – Bonobos
Rings – The Clear Cut
Rentals – Clifton Park Rentals
Transportation – Premiere Transportation
Favors – Stio

 

Congratulations to Jessi and Sean on their rainy but colorful Wilderness Estate wedding. A huge shout-out to the talented Mary Dougherty for capturing every magical moment. Special kudos to Junebug member Placid Planner for flawlessly orchestrating this unforgettable celebration despite the unpredictable weather. For more incredible weddings like this, be sure to check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding planners.

Even the most perfectly planned weddings can hit a few bumps. Sometimes, Mother Nature decides to play her part. But armed with a positive outlook, a few tweaks to the original plan, a team of trusted experts, and even a sprinkle of rain on the big day can turn the experience into something truly magical and unforgettable.

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This Newton Hall Wedding is the Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Rustic

December 19, 2023 | justine

Xai and Aaron’s decision to marry at Newton Hall was inspired by attending two weddings at the same venue. The place had left a lasting impression, and they were determined to create something equally incredible for their special day. Their goal was to make their big day iconic and unforgettable for their guests. The result was a Newton Hall wedding that perfectly blended fantasy, timeless elegance, and a touch of rustic charm. Their goal was to ensure that the wedding wouldn’t feel outdated when they looked back. And guess what? They totally nailed it!

Nestled on the picturesque Northumberland coastline, the pair chose a historic mansion and expansive estate as the backdrop for their special day. Opting for a garden ceremony, their venue provided the ideal setting for a romantic vow exchange. To complement the natural beauty of the surroundings, they adorned the aisle with delicate pastel florals paired and giant paper flowers at the altar. Carrying the same dreamy vibe into the reception, the celebration continued throughout the night with non-stop festivities.

Explore the magic woven into every aspect of this Newton Hall Wedding—from the vibrant blooms and stunning decor to the captivating outfit change and all the moments in between. Each meticulously planned detail is nothing short of spectacular and is an absolute must-see. Check out these beautiful photos by Natalie Pluck Photography to get inspired by all the creative ideas that will make your wedding day feel extra special and absolutely stunning.

The Couple:

Xai and Aaron

The Wedding:

Newton Hall, Alnwick, United Kingdom

Enchanting on a Budget: How The Couple Curated a £40,000 Newton Hall Wedding

With a budget of £40,000, we were committed to optimizing every aspect of our wedding without compromising on the enchantment. Drawing inspiration from our friend’s celebration, we carefully trimmed expenses, ensuring smart choices without sacrificing magic. We opted for handmade flower crochet bouquets at £20 each for bridesmaids, cost-effective giant paper flowers as visual centerpieces, and online-purchased fake buttonhole flowers at £2 each for groomsmen. Real flowers were reserved strategically, gracing only the aisle and altar before being repurposed for the wedding breakfast table. Bridesmaid dresses were a budget-friendly mix of diverse green shades from different websites, averaging £11 each. We minimized hair and makeup costs as our talented bridesmaids handled their own. Despite these savings, I allowed for one indulgence—splurging on three distinct wedding dresses for the main day, Chinese ceremony, and after party, ensuring a memorable celebration within our financial limits. As a savvy shopper, I seized an opportunity during the January sales, snagging a pair of £1250 crystal Louboutin shoes for a mere £360 at a 70% discount.

Ditching Name Tags for Handmade Origami Birds

To add a personalized touch to our wedding, I decided to forego traditional name tags and instead crafted 160 origami birds, where I carefully wrote each guest’s name. It served as a unique and creative way to guide everyone to their seats and added a unique and handmade element to the overall decor.

 

 

How the Saxophone Player Ignited the After-Party Vibe

I hired a saxophone player for the event, and to my surprise, he was exceptionally talented. His music had a magical effect, getting even the introverts on their feet and turning the entire after-party into a lively and energetic celebration.

From Canapés to Midnight Munchies: The Couple’s Casual Food Strategy for Their Newton Hall Wedding

Ensuring everyone was well-fed and content was my top priority for the day. To achieve this, we made a strategic shift in the food schedule by replacing the traditional post-ceremony canapés with substantial evening food, guaranteeing everyone was fueled for the busy day ahead. Additionally, we introduced a delightful twist with an ice cream van, offering a sweet treat to complement the festivities and keeping everyone happily satisfied throughout the celebration.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Natalie Pluck Photography
Venue – Newton Hall
Floral Design – Meadows & Mulberry
Paper Flowers – Bertie Valentine
Cake – Blackberries Patisserie
DJ – Andy Usher
Rings – Tiffany

 

Congratulations to Xai and Aaron on their Newton Hall wedding, which perfectly blends fantasy and rustic. A big thank you to Junebug member Natalie Pluck Photography for capturing every detail that tells their love story. Get inspired by checking out more of her work in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

Your love story is unique and deserves to be shared on your big day, just like this couple did. If you envision a celebration that truly reflects your personalities, explore our guide for planning a unique wedding. It’s filled with ideas to help you make your big day look and feel more like you and your partner.

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Moody and Flower Filled Alaska Elopement Inspiration Shoot

December 18, 2023 | justine

Elopements can sometimes be a bit like déjà vu–they all start to feel the same. That’s why this team of talented vendors (including Junebug member and planner AKhappenings) decided to shake things up. They were on a mission to crank up the excitement and dive headfirst into luxury on their big day. Picture this: elegance and sophistication dripping from every detail—lush floral displays, tables intricately designed, and all the magical in-betweens. But here’s the kicker. It’s not your typical elopement scene. This Alaska elopement inspiration was all about ditching the ordinary, turning up the glam, and throwing a celebration that shouts, “We’re doing things our way!”

Imagine a stunning scene with majestic mountains as the backdrop and floral pillars elegantly framing the altar for a romantic waterside ceremony. And that’s just the beginning. The real showstopper was the enchanting reception for two, stealing the spotlight. A tablescape adorned with gorgeous white blooms transformed the space into an elegantly captivating setting. To top it off, those same floral pillars gracefully encircled the entire setup, adding an extra touch of sophistication.

If you and your partner have ever envisioned an elegant and timeless celebration set against the backdrop of nature’s beauty, this is the ultimate inspiration for you. Keep scrolling because Theresa McDonald beautifully captured every well-thought-of detail.

How The Vendors Embraced Unpredictable Weather For This Alaska Elopement Inspiration Shoot 

Alaska’s unpredictable weather introduced a twist to our plans. On the shoot day, 50mph winds posed challenges for our floral pillars and decor. This led us to quickly pivot to an alternate location, offering more shelter from the elements. As the rain poured down, we embraced it, creating the perfect moody atmosphere. Ultimately, our styled shoot was a testament to the beauty of embracing the unpredictable in Alaska. It showed that elopements can be unique, elegant, and authentic, celebrating nature and the love shared between couples.

Why Choosing A Real Life Couple Was Important To Bringing This Shoot to Life

To breathe life into our vision, we knew we needed a real couple who could authentically portray the depth of love. Jenna and Chase, who are deeply in love and have been married for many years, were the perfect match. They weren’t afraid to show their affectionate connection in front of the camera, which added a genuine touch to our shoot.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Theresa McDonald
Event Planning – AKhappenings
Floral Design – Shea’s Wildflower Company
Cookies – Cierra’s Cookiery
Cake – Alaska Wedding Cake Boutique
Videography – Josh Vasaar Films
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Vibe Artistry
Groom’s Apparel – Anderson’s Bride
Rentals – Raw and Golden Rentals

 

Congratulations to the talented team for putting together and successfully pulling off this moody and flower-filled Alaska Elopement inspiration shoot. Huge thanks to Theresa McDonald for capturing every stunning detail, and a special shout out to Junebug member AKhappenings for planning the entire thing. To see more weddings they’ve designed, check out their profile in our directory of the best wedding planners from around the world.

Be it a scenic mountain top, a quiet beach, or a charming city setting, the perfect location can lay the foundation for a truly memorable celebration. When it’s just the two of you, you have the freedom to craft an experience entirely personalized to your love and commitment. Need help figuring out how to begin? Explore our elopement planning and budget guides—valuable resources for your path to “I do.”

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